Wasserwerfer 9000

The Wasserwerfer 9000 (literally "Water Launcher 9000") is a water cannon used by the Federal Police (Bundespolizei) and Bereitschaftspolizei in Germany, as well as the municipal police of Switzerland.

History

Development

The Wasserwerfer 9000, named for its 9000 l capacity, was developed in the late 1970s and early 1980s by the German Federal Border Guard (Bundesgrenzschutz) to replace previous generations of water cannons which were not able to meet the requirements of escalated water cannon use in violent riots where water supply was limited and vehicles were often incapacitated. The vehicle has shatterproof polycarbonate glazing (Lexan) and run-flat tires, while the higher cab allows allows for an increased seating arrangement of the two rear-tube guides and thus a better view of the launch tube operator.

Use

In 2010, 116 Wasserwerfer 9000s were kept in nearly all federal and riot police departments across Germany. Older models, such as the Wasserwerfer 4000 and Wasserwerfer 6000 are no longer in official use and are instead used for training purposes. The Wasserwerfer 9000 was based solely on the four-wheel drive chassis of the Mercedes-Benz NG and later SK series, and the construction was carried out by Metz and Ziegler.

Future

Some of the vehicles, which are partly over 20 years old, have been shut down or volunteered to fire departments. In 2009, the first prototype Wasserwerfer 10000, manufactured by Rosenbauer International AG, was presented to the Federal Police. Since then, several departments of the federal and state riot police have received the first vehicles.

Operation

To operate the Wasserwerfer 9000 a crew of at least four officers is required:

• Commander
• Motorist
• Two operators, one for each roof launcher

A fifth place is available in the front seats for observers, pilots, etc.

A machinist is no longer needed, as the pump motor located in the rear is operated by the place of the commander. By this separate pump motor, water discharge can be carried out regardless of the driving condition and is not like the power take-off which is linked to the speed of the traction motor.

The launcher tubes in the Wasserwerfer 4000 and Wasserwerfer 6000 were operated by muscle power; this is accomplished in the Wasserwerfer 9000 via joystick operation. The launcher tubes start by pressing a button, while the guide tube rotates independently. The operation is done manually, however automated programs that target devices are available.

The water supply can be via a suction port from public waters or from fire hoses. Hose connections for fire-fighting tasks are also present. The valves are designed to fight against nucleation in the absorbed water, and chlorine is also added to the water to keep it clean.

In use, multiple water cannons are grouped and reserve vehicles are kept, which are gradually replacing the consumption of the supply. A second water-throwing system is provided for each water-cannon. The application is often through securing forces and an armoured sweep.

Specifications

Dimensions (Length x Width x Height)	8.5 m x 2.5 m x 3.65 m (4.15 m when launcher is deployed)
Engine	Mercedes Benz OM 442 with ~206 kW
	Mercedes Benz OM 441 LA (V6) with ~250 kW
Top speed	109 km/h
Fuel tank	330 l diesel
Total weight	26.3 t (with filled water tank)
Water tank	9000 l
Pump motor	6 cylinder motor with ~124 kW
Fire-extinguishing centrifugal pump	2200 l/min at 15 bar
Throw	65 m

Photos

• Wawe9000 dachwerfer.jpg

  Extended roof monitor

• Wawe9000 heckwerfer.jpg

  Rear launcher and reversing horn

• Wawe9000 Kommandant.jpg

  Operator panel

Literature

• Hans-Jürgen Schmidt: Wir tragen den Adler des Bundes am Rock - Chronik des Bundesgrenzschutzes 1951 – 1971 Fiedler-Verlag, Coburg 1995 ISBN 3-923434-17-0