Schützenpanzer SPz 11-2 Kurz

Schützenpanzer SPz 11-2 Kurz
Two Schützenpanzer Kurz vehicles at Bundeswehrmuseum Dresden.
Type	Armored Reconnaissance Vehicle
Place of origin	France and West Germany
Specifications
Weight	8,200 kg (18,100 lb)
Length	4.51 m
Width	2.28 m
Height	1.97 m
Crew	5
Armor	15 mm at 62° of chrome-nickel-molybdenum
Main armament	1 x 20 mm Hispano-Suiza 820/L85 Cannon
Secondary armament	3 x Smoke grenade launchers
Engine	1 x Hotchkiss et Cie 6-cylinder petrol engine 164 hp (122 kW)
Suspension	torsion bar
Operational range	390 km (244 miles)
Speed	58 km/h

The Schützenpanzer SPz 11-2 Kurz armored reconnaissance vehicle was developed for the West German army and was a minor modification of a French designed vehicle (Hotchkiss SP1A). During the period between 1958 and 1962, the West German army received some 2,374 of these light armoured vehicles with the SPz 11-2 Kurz being developed as the reconnaissance version. The SPz 11-2 served in cannon platoons of armored infantry battalions until 1974 and remained in service as a reconnaissance vehicle until 1982. The SPz 11-2 was replaced in the reconnaissance role by the Spähpanzer Luchs. The SPz 11-2 saw service with the West Germany army only.

The only armament for the SPz 11-2 was the 20 mm Hispano-Suiza 820/L35 cannon. The cannon has a 15x15 periscopic sight. 500 rounds of 20 mm ammunition were carried. Three smoke grenade launchers are provided for tactical and emergency concealment.