Wasserwerfer 10000

The Wasserwerfer 10000 (WaWe 10, literally "Water Launcher 10000") is a water cannon used for riot control developed by Rosenbauer on the Mercedes-Benz Actros chassis for the Federal Police (Bundespolizei) and Bereitschaftspolizei in Germany. Named for its 10,000 litres (2,600 US gal) water capacity, it is the successor to the Wasserwerfer 9000.

History

The need for new water cannons for the federal and state police of Germany was first discussed at the 2005 Innenministerkonferenz; some older Wasserwerfer 9000s, previously criticised for safety concerns, were due to be retired following the 2006 FIFA World Cup that would take place across Germany. Following a tendering process by the Federal Ministry of the Interior's procurement agency, the contract to build these new water cannons was won by Austrian fire engine manufacturer Rosenbauer in 2008, and development of the Wasserwerfer 10000 commenced.

The first prototype Wasserwerfer 10000 was handed over to the Federal Ministry of the Interior in 2009, and the first production examples were delivered to state police forces in Hamburg, Berlin, Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden-Württemberg between 2010 and 2011. The Wasserwerfer 10000 is built on the Mercedes-Benz Actros 3341 tri-axle truck chassis with an armored angular body, preventing rioters from climbing onto the roof and projectiles from damaging it, and is equipped with a polycarbonate shatter-proof windshield. Three spray nozzles aimed with integrated closed-circuit television cameras and controlled by joysticks are positioned on the roof; two on the front and one on the rear of the truck. Loudspeakers are also equipped. The vehicle is operated by a crew of five police officers.