MoritzPTK

Leopard 2 with Bustle Rack Autoloader

NGP Render 2 Versions: IFV Variant with 50mm Rh503 (300 shots) and 6-8 dismounts, MBT variant with 140mm nPzK (30 rounds) Both variants were proposed to have significant ballistic protection (55-70t) and (as seen on the render) the Diehl AVePs APS. Both operated by 2 man crews with all around camera / thermal vision. Kind of resembles Armata platform if you ask me.

no thanks

Yes, really worth checking out.

Ok guys, exciting news: New KE rounds announced for L/55A1: DM73(KE2020) qualified and successor KE2020Neo announced.

Haven't seen or heard plans for full equip for GebPzBtl 8, since both active companies go to 363 in Hardheim. And the planned reserves would've been for the phase of upgrades to have more tanks at disposal

Exactly, it's unsure if they will be the same or different configurations. Mainly comes down to the mine protection kit regarding designation. Possibly. Also possible for the concept of "Umlaufreserve" becoming a thing again. But as i already said COVID probably put an end to that - for the near future at least. Original source: https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/bundeswehr-soll-neue-leopard-panzer-bekommen-a-1295567.html

To put the upgrades into perspective, right now there are two major contracts signed for Leo upgrades: 1. Contract The first contract was signed in 2017. Back then the MoD bought back 104 old tanks from industry stocks (party old swiss and other "export" Leos). 68 of these old Leopards will be converted to the A7V standard (which has been described here in detail already), together with all 20 Leopard 2A7 that Germany owns. The remaining 16 dutch tanks (leased from Germany) will also be upgraded. The first tank of this program have already been delivered. The next 10 tanks will be delivered by December for tactical trials, with the last ones expected to come in in 2022. 2. Contract An announcement about a second upgrade contract was made in March of 2019. The new contract included the upgrade of 101 A6 and A6M tanks to a standard "similar to A7V". From the public documents we know that at least the thermal imagers and communications systems will be changed. The last delivery is expected for 2026. The "Trophy Upgrade" for 17 Leopard 2 tanks is an interim solution to equip some tanks with an APS for the VJTF(L) 2023 (as previously mentioned). Leopard 2AX Not much is known about the next ugprade program (AX or A8) apart from some comments Frank Lobitz (Leopard 2 Development manager for BAAINBw) made. The expected changes include a RCWS, possibly an engine upgrade to 1650hp, improved FCS and a larger scale deployment of an APS (Possibly Rheinmetall ADS). Earlier this year there were also reports from german "SPIEGEL" newspaper about an additional order of 80 Leopard 2 tanks, but i haven't of anything regarding this topic again, also not from MoD people. I strongly suspect that the pandemic and subsequent budget strains didn't particularly help these plans. Overview Fleet in 2020: - 19 Leopard 2A5 (GÜZ exercise tanks) - 155 Leopard 2A6 - 50 Leopard 2A6M (Different configurations) - 20 Leopard 2A7 Fleet in 2025: - 19 Leopard 2A5 - 124 Leopard 2A6 - 101 Leopard 2A6MA3 (or whatever it will be called by then) - 104 Leopard 2A7(V)

130mm Gun will also be showcased.

Sure, i am pretty certain that FFG will try to expand in terms of expertise though, facing the upcoming vehicle designs the german army needs. Entering the field of protection solutions however would hard though, since they would face very fierce competition from GEKE, RUAG and IBD (Rh Chempro). They would have to take over a certain subdivision of a company or hire a lot of employees which given the current size of FFG and the time needed to build up the expertise is just not realistic. Here you can also see the small Quadcopter the PMMC G5 could control. Next to the Genesis demonstrator there's also the Boxer logistics vehicle, which would be a very good choice for the german army IMO.

Those aren't shown in the micro exhibition, just the regular vehicle. I've heard that they were working with RUAG for new RPG protection modules. According to the FFG Brochure the PMMC G5 already had modules capable of defeating RPGs so i don't know the exact reason why they did this.

Apparently together with a new version of the PMMC 5 (M113 Rework) with drones, new software and new protection modules

Technology demonstrator APC with hybrid propulsion Made by FFG Flensburg https://soldat-und-technik.de/2020/09/mobilitaet/23977/genesis-funktionsfaehiger-vollhybrid-technologie-demonstrator-von-ffg/

Sure, i said "large parts of the improvements" In general the only real issue should be the cost and whether a second lot of Pumas is coming.

To fricking fast, was just about to post it

Yes, since no contract for the order has been signed yet. I can also imagine that existing systems will be retrofitted because a large part of the improvements were made on the software side.

SEOSS-2 Specs: Ranges for Thermal channel (NATO 2.3x2.3 target)

ATTICA thermal imager video from Leopard 2: https://streamable.com/q3jiau SPECTUS driver camera: https://streamable.com/jhqvek (I don't know how to embed videos on here)

Hey, i can't add much to SH_MMs reply, he already made it clear what i was referring to regarding the Leclerc vs Leo armor, because taking those british documents as a source is problematic. I still also want to add that there never was any clarification or actual source for the claim of the K2 stopping a K279 projectile. (Feel free to prove me wrong on this issue)

Sorry, but K2 seems rather poorly protected. (Credits to Wiedzmin) This tank was overall very badly protected (paper thin side armor) yet still 55t. Together with awfully sloped turret roof as an invitation for any semi modern APFSDS. And for Leclerc vs Leo. The Leclerc offers better protection for bustle and turret side. Apart from that i can‘t get the notion of being better protected significantly elsewhere. For hull i think we both agree that Leo is way better, already design wise, and latest model base armor for Leo in early 90ies withstood LKE I so...

Maybe me knowledge will suffice as well. This is the VT-001 (Versuchsträger) prototype of the Marder 2 vehicle. With the introduction of the Leopard 2 there was a need for a new IFV that could keep up with the MBT, both from a mobility and technology standpoint. The German army then put the „Kampfwagen 90“ to life. The requirements were then given to the manufacturers (KMW main contractor) to come up with an offer. Main requirements were for the vehicle to carry at least 7 grenadiers and to protect them against 30mm AP(DS) munitions on the frontal arc. In theory the armor concept was to be modular, but due to the heavy weight (44t) this was wishful thinking. The armor made the vehicle immune to 14.5mm AP all around, with the already mentioned 30mm protection on the front. It also had a spall liner. The main armament (found in the rather cramped 2 man turret) was the Rh503 35mm external propulsion gun. An innovative concept with quite a lot of firepower for its time (even upgradeable to 50mm if the need arises) with then newly developed Oerlikon APFSDS rounds and just like the modern Puma it had a programmable HE round against infantry. While the Marder 2 for some reason had no anti tank missiles, a major upside compared to the Marder 1 was that the gun now was fully stabilized. Powering the Marder 2 was carried out by the 1000hp MTU Ka-500 from the Pzh2000 and the same gearbox from Renk which is also used on the SPH. The propulsion allowed for top speed of 60km/h (which produced an unpleasant sound for the passengers). In contrast to the Puma the Marder 2 relied on a torsion bar suspension system. The fire control computer was a modified version of the ATLAS FLT2 found on the Leopard 2. The gunner was supposed to use the PERI-ZTWL sight, which was very similar to the EMES-15 (Both with the same daylight cameras and WBG-X thermal imager). The commander had the PERI-RT 60 periscopic daysight (No dedicated thermal imager, just access to the gunners view). While the vehicle was technically ready for mass production, the end of the Cold War (like so often) ultimately was the reason for the cancellation of the program. The only existing prototype now is displayed at the WTS Koblenz. A disappointing end to a maybe overweight and simple, yet very powerful and (in contrast to Puma) maintainable machine. I hope i was able to portrait it in an interesting manner, if there are still questions about the vehicle that i cannot answer, i can ask a curator at the WTS

New Leopard 2A4 upgrade from Roketsan Twitter Video

Small follow-up to the last post. Here are some pictures from the inside of the Lynx, i thought i may share it as there hasn't been much shown of the internals. Very clean and tidy if you ask me.