June 12 - Crane manufacturer Liebherr has developed a rescue crane - the G-BKF - for the German Army.
The mobile crane is designed to rescue and tow a new generation of armoured control and command vehicles, armoured transport vehicles and other wheeled units.
Liebherr explained that the main focus of this bespoke crane was the protection of passengers. The manufacturer worked with a leading European system house for military technology, Rheinmetall Defence, to produce an armoured driver's cab and armoured crane cab. The driver's cab was extended in order to accommodate extra protection equipment and military communications gear.
The crane is mounted on a four axle all-terrain crane chassis. Large tyres and an all-wheel drive system improve manoeuverability off-road. Its 20.9 m telescopic boom can handle loads up to 20 tonnes, which makes it suitable as a mobile crane for medium-weight crane work, as well as for rescue and other military deployments, said Liebherr.
