Panzerbeobachtungswagen IV was a German artillery observation vehicle based on Panzer IV. These tanks were given StuG III Kommandantenkuppel (Commander's Cupola), SF14Z scissors telescope, T.S.R.1 observation periscope, Plotting Tables, GG400 electrical generator and additional radios and radio masts. The coax machine gun and mount was removed along with reduction of main gun rounds from 87 to 77. These were assigned to Wespe and Hummel Self-Propelled Artillery Batteries.
This vehicle spots for 17 cm Kanone 18 in Mörserlafette. These artillery piece were placed in Corps and Army level Artillery units to be used in long-range counter-battery and heavy support role.