Heavy Weapon Carrier for the Infantry: Rheinmetall completes Factory Acceptance Test for new training equipment

Rheinmetall Electronics GmbH has reached an important milestone in its training solution for the Heavy Infantry Weapon Carrier. The newly developed training equipment for gunnery and combat training for the Heavy Infantry Weapon Carrier (abbr. AGSW in German) successfully passed the Factory Acceptance Test at Rheinmetall’s Bremen site in June 2026. Representatives from the Army Concepts and Capabilities Development Centre (ACCDC) and the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw), as well as soldiers from the fusilier troops and the Infantry School, were present for the acceptance process and, have conducted a comprehensive inspection of the system.

As a result, crew training can begin in parallel with vehicle deliveries. Training and simulation were considered part of the system development from the beginning. As early as 2022, the Bundeswehr and industry jointly set the goal of providing initial training equipment even before delivery of the first vehicles.

The development of the AGSW began after the contract was signed in early 2024 and was completed in July 2026. Rheinmetall’s close cooperation with the Infantry School and the ACCDC during the concept phase made it possible to incorporate the requirements of future users into the development at an early stage.

The first component of the two-stage training solution is already available to the fusilier troops. Between September 2025 and April 2026, the procedural trainers were delivered to the Fusilier battalions. This means that crew training can begin as planned before the first vehicles are delivered. The handover of the first AGSW to the Infantry School is scheduled for autumn 2026.

 

The AGSW is the core of this training solution: the highly realistic gunnery and combat simulator comprises a control, evaluation and monitoring station and four fighting compartments. The vehicle interior, vehicle logic, operating procedures, aiming behaviour, driving dynamics and ballistics are simulated with a high degree of realism. Training ranges from instruction for individual crew members, through interaction within the entire crew, to tactical procedures and complex scenarios at platoon level.

The simulators are prepared for networking with so-called ‘infantry desktop trainers’. This also enables joint training of vehicle crews and dismounted infantry. The desktop-based operational trainer uses the same simulation software and operating logic as the AGSW, thus forming the starting point for follow-on training.

Both systems also enable users to independently create and customise virtual terrain environments. This means that future areas of operations can be replicated and advancing routes, positions, and tactical procedures can be practised before a potential deployment.

The AGSW is conceptually based on the ‘Training equipment for gunnery and combat training Puma infantry fighting vehicle’ (abbr. AGSP in German) developed by Rheinmetall. The system reached a major milestone in 2025 and is now in serial production. Training solutions for other Bundeswehr vehicles are also being developed on this technological basis. Looking ahead, fusilier troops, armoured infantry and army reconnaissance troops are to have their own training equipment at their respective locations.

In July 2026, the responsible project manager at the BAAINBw officially confirmed that the Factory Acceptance Test had been successfully passed. A total of five AGSW systems shall be handed to users by mid-2027. Following functional testing and acceptance at the respective locations, the simulation software for the operational trainer and the AGSW will be adapted to the final development status of the Heavy Infantry Weapon Carrier and rolled out as an identical version.

This creates a comprehensive training solution in line with the ‘train as you fight’ concept and an important prerequisite for crews to receive highly realistic training even before the new weapon system’s first deployment.

photo courtesy Rheinmetall