MOWAG MR8-01 Wotan
MOWAG Wotan at Military Museum Full
Place of origin	Switzerland
Service history
Used by	Germany
Production history
Designer	MOWAG motor car factory Kreuzlingen
Manufacturer	Bussing Henschel in Germany
Produced	1963
No. built	approx. 700
Variants	SW1 , SW2
Specifications
Mass	8,500 kg (18,700 lb)
Crew	4: driver, commander +2 passengers in the rear area
Main armament	depending on version = SW1 no, SW2 20mm automatic cannon, mortars
Engine	V8 Chrysler 6 cylinder gasoline engine 161 kW
Transmission	ZF transmission, 5 forward gears, 1 reverse
Suspension	4x4 wheeled
Operational range	400 km (250 mi)
Maximum speed	80 km/h (50 mph)on road,42 km/h (26 mph)off road.12 km/h (7 mph) water

The MOWAG MR8-01 (Wotan) is an armored personnel carrier.^[1]

History

Named as special car (SW1 and SW2) was the WOTAN from 1963 onward introduced by the Bundesgrenzschutz (West German border guard, later Bundespolizei). They were built by Bussing Henschel in Germany, approximately 700 nos. The SW 1 was referred to as Special Car 1. It did not have any armaments.

The Special Car 2 was similar to the special SW1, however, it had a turret with armament: 20 mm automatic cannon or a machine gun MG 1/2 of SW 2b. Other options include a mortar vehicle that was built but found no buyers. The Wotan that was built and tested as a prototype by the Federal Border Guard (BGS) is now in the Military Museum Full.^[2][3]

Design

The vehicle had a small turning radius, and was equipped with 2-axle steering. The arrangement of the engine installed in the rear right allowed the crew to park the vehicle and exit from the side and rear.

Variants

• MR 8 "SW1": initially known as Kfz91. Armoured personnel carrier model.
• MR 8 "SW2": initially known as the Kfz91. As described.
  • MR 8-09: equipped with a 20mm auto-cannon, with four smoke discharges on either side of the turret. Similar to the SW2.
  • MR 8-20: unguided rocket and ATGM variant, with provision for twin 8 cm missile launchers.
  • MR 8-23: heavy fire support and tank hunter vehicle with 90mm medium-pressure gun.
  • MR 9-32: 120mm mortar carrier.

Gallery

• 
  MR 8 outside Federal Chancellery in Bonn, 1975
• 
  Lübeck, Jubiläum BGS, Parade
• 
  REFORGER 1986