The Liebherr G-BKF is an unusual military machine. It is referred in German as Geschutztes Bergekranfahrzeug or armored recovery crane. This machine is fitted with specialized equipment for craning, winching, towing and recovery operations. Furthermore it is fitted with armored cabs. This vehicle uses a highly mobile chassis and can travel off road. This concept of an armored recovery crane is specific to the German army, as other countries do not use such vehicles and rely either on mobile cranes or recovery vehicles. In 2017 German army ordered 33 of these unusual armored recovery vehicles. Deliveries commenced in 2019 and were planned to be completed in 2021. These will replace in service the FAUN BKF 35-4 recovery crane that was adopted in the early 2000s.
The Liebher G-BFK is used for recovery and towing of wide range of military vehicles. This machine can recover and tow almost all German army wheeled vehicles. This mobile crane can be also used for construction tasks, handling of containers, stores and a variety of other tasks. These machines are also well suited for various peacekeeping operations.
Interestingly German army required that this military machine would use as many commercially available components as possible, that are readily available on the market. Another requirement was that all machines must operate in the same manner as other commercially available Liebherr machines. As a result the G-BFK operates in the same way as a standard commercial Liebherr mobile crane. German army also ordered a similar Liebherr G-LTM 1090-4.2 all-terrain crane with a broadly similar chassis and armored cabs. Though this armored crane has a longer вσσм and can lift significantly more.
This vehicle has a telescopic вσσм that extends to 20.9 m. It has a maximum lifting capacity of 22.8 t at 7 m. At maximum reach the lifting capability is 5 t. The crane can be used for medium crane work.
There are two recovery winches mounted at the rear. The larger one has 75 m of cable, while the smaller one has 49 m of useable cable. When heavy loads are involved both winches can be used together. Furthermore the traction force can be doubled by using return rollers. Synchronous winching is possible. This means that the ᴅᴀмᴀԍᴇᴅ vehicle can be raised slightly using the crane while being pulled by a winch. Stabilizing jacks are lowered to the ground prior to winching operations. The smaller winch can be moved to the front for self-recovery.
There is a 16 t capacity lift cradle for towing at the rear. It is used for towing ᴅᴀмᴀԍᴇᴅ, immobile or uncontrolled vehicles. The G-BKF can tow vehicles with a maximum weight of around 40 t. It can tow fully-loaded military trucks, as well as Fuchs armored personnel carriers.
All functions of crane, winches and towing device can be controlled from the crane cab or using a remote control unit.
This vehicle has an armored driver’s cab as well as the crane cab. Liebherr teamed with Rheinmetall Defence in order to develop and produce these cabs. The forward control cab is made of steel armor. The crane cab has a steel frame and ceramic armor in order for reduced overall weight. These cabs provide protection against small arms fire, artillery shell splinters and blasts. There is also an NBC protection system. The forward control cab has a roof hatch and can mount a machine gun for self-defense.
Chassis of this military machine is actually similar to Liebherr commercial models. Vehicle is powered by a Liebherr D946TI turbocharged diesel engine, developing 544 hp. Engine is mated to ZF automated transmission with 12 forward and 2 reverse speeds. This high mobility chassis it can operate off road and has excellent maneuverability. It has all-wheel drive configuration and all-wheel steering. Rear axle steering is engaged at low speeds. This machine is capable of crab steering, which allows to move in tight spaces and parallel to the buildings. Tyre pressure can be adjusted to improve mobility over difficult terrain, such as sand, snow and mud. Though it is not a tyre pressure system, typically associated with military vehicle. On this vehicle the tyre pressure is adjusted manually when the vehicle is standing still. The G-BKF can ford water obstacles up to 1 m deep, though this feature is not normally used.