Jump to content
Please support this forum by joining the SH Patreon ×
Sturgeon's House

SH_MM

Contributing Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    1,626

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    154

 Content Type 

Everything posted by SH_MM

  1. SH_MM
    They didn't pay any attention to hide the signature of the exhaust? Seriously? Even the original ASCOD has that fixed.
  2. SH_MM
    Supposedly the first buyer is Indonesia for the Leopard 2RI.
  3. SH_MM
    Rheinmetall is not trying to get the MGCS cancelled. The MGCS means much more money for Rheinmetall (and more capabilities for the German and French Armies) than the Panther. The KF51 has been specifically described as "export tank" by Rheinmetall staff with the goal of maturing new Rheinmetall-made components to gain a competitive advantage over KDNS in the MGCS program. I.e. if the 130 mm L/51 gun already has a number of users, it is more likely to be selected than Nexter's 140 mm ASCALON. The same applies to APS, electronic architecture, control panels, armor package, etc.
  4. SH_MM
    Not sure if it was stated here already, but C. G. Haenel's lawsuit was dismissed, thus the planned purchase of the HK416A8 as part of German Army's G36 replacement program can move forward.
  5. SH_MM
    I don't think the turret has "chuncked up", that is mostly the Trophy APS. There likely is no wasted space in the hull. The turret seemigly lacks the volume to integrate many components found on the current Leopard 2A7 and Leclerc XLR turrets (air-conditioning unit, comm server, computers, etc.). Furthermore the autoloader holds only 22 rounds of main gun ammunition, which is not sufficient for a modern MBT. As the frontal hull is now fully occupied by the crew (the fourth crew member takes up the space to the left of the driver, i.e. where the hull ammo rack in a Leopard 2 is located), the hull still needs to hold: a rack/container for main gun ammunition secondary ammunition for the coaxial machine gun, the 30 x 103 mm RWS and the normal RWS most likely computer and communication systems an air-conditioning system Granted, the EMBT is a technology demonstrator, so they might have ignored that. The sale has not gone through yet. Only a memorandum of understanding signaling Poland's intention to buy the K2 was signed; the actual contract is still being negotiated. KMW already mentioned last years that they are considering/planning to incorporate various weight reduction measures (including a new, lighter turret and ERA).
  6. SH_MM
    So there still is crew in the turret...
  7. SH_MM
    The bar code is different (used in the autoloader to determine which round is loaded), the brochure shows the OFL F1B (same bar code).
  8. SH_MM
    They apparently built that thing Radar array is now slightly recessed behind the launchers' "muzzles", so it is not as tall as in the renders - but still too tall.
  9. SH_MM
    Other photos of the ASPIS-NG armor mock-up:
  10. SH_MM
    To be fair the Leopard 1 wasn't really designed with modern ergonomics in mind, the Cockerill 3105 should be a massive upgrade over the old 1A5 and they used to offer a 120 mm variant. So the turret is certainly a good choice (though likely rather expensive given the typical Leopard 1A5 operator's budgets), but the integration seems a bit shoddy.
  11. SH_MM
    I believe that sabot energy is included, but then again Rheinmetall's 130 mm gun will supposedly deliver 19-20 MJ on target, so mabye it isn't?
  12. SH_MM
    Rheinmetall claims the Panther has a new TAPS (top attack protection system). Is it maybe based on micro-UAVs?
  13. SH_MM
    Why did they use different scales for the models. Really makes comparing them harder...
  14. SH_MM
    It is a technology demonstrator. Four men crew + autoloader. Even though it is fitted with the EuroPowerPack, there likely isn't enough space for ammunition (with only 22 x 120 mm rounds autoloader) given that the it also includes a 30 mm autocannon, a 12.7 mm HMG and a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun.
  15. SH_MM
  16. SH_MM
    EMBT with new turret, Trophy-HV and modified hull.
  17. SH_MM
    Tracked Boxer KF51 Panther Caracal
  18. SH_MM
    KDNS also showing off a new tank at Eurosatory. Some speculate that this is a refined version of the EMBT.
  19. SH_MM
    The protection provided by the fuel cells is pretty small.
  20. SH_MM
    If read on Twitter, that Australia supposedly demands that its next IFV has to be used in the country of origin (i.e. Germany has to buy the KF41 or South Korea has to buy the AS21), so it will be in these countries interests that the vehicle works correctly and is reliable. Is there any Australian source confirming that?
  21. SH_MM
    https://below-the-turret-ring.com/history/german-experimental-armor-development-ii-results-of-trial-program-16-21-and-22/
  22. SH_MM
    Not really good according to trials conducted in Sweden during the 1950s. The possible weight reduction was judged to be some 25%; up to 50% was achieved in tests with non-practical armor. So a lot of granite is needed to provide protection even against small shaped charges. The performance is worse than that of glass armor.
  23. SH_MM
    My understanding is that the first number stands for the weight class (i.e. the KF31 is a vehicle in the "30 tons class") while the second number might be for the vehicle generation (i.e. the KF31 is the first "KF" vehicle offered in the 30 tons class). However I don't think that Rheinmetall has ever confirmed this. Also note that the KF41 Lynx has an official GVW of 50 metric tons and I wouldn't be surprised if the Lynx 120 is actually exceeding that.
  24. SH_MM
    Tthe 4S20 or 4S22 elements in the mesh cage on the hull front are "ERA".
  25. SH_MM
    Takes a bit longer than expected. @Wiedzmin, here is the first part. I started with the oldest report, which comes third in the document. At the moment I have only translated the first chapter, further articles will follow for the other chapters and then for the other reports. https://below-the-turret-ring.com/history/german-experimental-armor-development-part-i-target-arrays-for-trial-program-16-21-and-22/ This is also the only report containing performance data (though it is still limited), the other reports only mention that the performance data can be found at other places. In general the report "Bericht über die Erprobungspogramme 16, 21 und 22, durchgeführt in der Zeit vom 9.05 bis 13.05.1977 und vom 14.11 bis 18.11.1977 bei der Erprobungsstelle 91 der Bundeswehr in Meppen; B – TU 1911/00" covers three different test arrays. Two of them were used for tests against 105 mm KE/38 APFSDS rounds. This version of German ERA relied on an external ignition system, as the used explosive material (Dottikon) did not detonate by itself when hit.
×
×
  • Create New...