The Kleines Kettenkraftrad, commonly known as the Kettenkrad, was developed as a light tractor for airborne units. It was the only half-track vehicle small enough to fit inside the cargo compartment of a Junkers Ju 52. The Kettenkrad was developed by NSU Motorenwerke AG in 1939 and entered production at the end of 1940.
Despite its original purpose, the Kettenkrad quickly became popular and was used primarily on the Eastern Front to tow light artillery pieces, anti-aircraft guns, mortars, field cable reels, and various types of trailers, as well as to transport personnel. The vehicle's success was largely due to its excellent cross-country mobility and ability to negotiate difficult terrain. On sand, it could climb slopes of up to 24 degrees, while on hard ground, its climbing ability was limited mainly by the driver's courage.
The Kettenkrad was powered by a 4-cylinder, 1.5-liter, water-cooled engine designed by Opel, which produced 36 hp. Steering was achieved through a combination of the front wheel and clutches on the drive sprockets, giving the vehicle relatively good maneuverability. The Sd.Kfz. 2 weighed 1,560 kg and could reach a maximum speed of 70 km/h.
A total of 8,345 vehicles were produced before production was discontinued in 1944. After the war, the Kettenkrad continued to be manufactured for agricultural use until 1949.
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