The Leopard 2 Thread

[Korvette]

 

[123]

1

[Sheffield]

Hey, just wanted to ask if someone could explain the terminology of the stuff on this snipet (in regards to the Leopard 2);

 

 

Specifically - the Max speed, Max. aiming speed and Min. aiming speed - does this mean that Leopard 2 can and will elevate the cannon at 40°/s or is it limited to 9°/s?

[Wiedzmin]

[TWMSR]

Sheffield, max speed is for rapid traverse, f.e. when you need to turn turret from 2'oclock to 6 o'clock or TC align turret position with his Peri. Aiming speeds are minis and maxes for responsive aiming, slow for precision 'sensing', fast for target tracking and FCS solution commands (you do not want do wait too long until gun elevates for shooting far-far away targets).

[Sheffield]

9 hours ago, TWMSR said:

Sheffield, max speed is for rapid traverse, f.e. when you need to turn turret from 2'oclock to 6 o'clock or TC align turret position with his Peri. Aiming speeds are minis and maxes for responsive aiming, slow for precision 'sensing', fast for target tracking and FCS solution commands (you do not want do wait too long until gun elevates for shooting far-far away targets).

Thank you.

[Korvette]

14 hours ago, Wiedzmin said:

Can't have shit in detroit.

[Laser Shark]

The first of six LEGUAN Leopard 2 AVLB have been delivered to Norway. Note that they will reuse the LEGUAN bridges of the current Leo 1 based NM190.

 

 

 

 

Source: https://forsvaretsforum.no/forsvarsmateriell-haeren/forsvarsmateriell-har-mottatt-den-symbolske-nokkelen-til-den-forste-bropanservognen-til-norge/223531

[SH_MM]

German and Dutch Leguan 2 bridge-layers are usually equipped with add-on armor. Interesting to see Norway not fielding it.

 

[Laser Shark]

2 hours ago, SH_MM said:

German and Dutch Leguan 2 bridge-layers are usually equipped with add-on armor. Interesting to see Norway not fielding it.

 

Likely a weight saving measure. A while back it was reported that the Norwegian Public Roads Administration have been unwilling to permit the use of tanks/AFVs that are heavier than 62.5 tonnes on our roads, so vehicles like the Wisent 2 and new AVLBs cannot be used in their heaviest configurations. I also suspect that we’ll see similar weight saving measures on the proposed A7NO when it's eventually revealed.

[Rico]

14 hours ago, Laser Shark said:

 

Likely a weight saving measure. A while back it was reported that the Norwegian Public Roads Administration have been unwilling to permit the use of tanks/AFVs that are heavier than 62.5 tonnes on our roads, so vehicles like the Wisent 2 and new AVLBs cannot be used in their heaviest configurations. I also suspect that we’ll see similar weight saving measures on the proposed A7NO when it's eventually revealed.

 

I thought the AVLB might have a higher similarity with your Wisent 2s. Based on your picture they have an APU and 570 track instead of lithium pack and 571 track.  

[Laser Shark]

1 hour ago, Rico said:

 

I thought the AVLB might have a higher similarity with your Wisent 2s. Based on your picture they have an APU and 570 track instead of lithium pack and 571 track.  

 

The AVLBs won’t be transferred to the Army before 2023-24, so it’s possible that this won’t be it’s final configuration. That said, I do find it weird that it doesn’t have APB instead of APU already. Even if it wasn’t necessary to reduce the weight of this vehicle (???), you’d think it would still be a good idea to standardise on one solution.

[Rico]

16 hours ago, Laser Shark said:

 

Likely a weight saving measure. A while back it was reported that the Norwegian Public Roads Administration have been unwilling to permit the use of tanks/AFVs that are heavier than 62.5 tonnes on our roads, so vehicles like the Wisent 2 and new AVLBs cannot be used in their heaviest configurations. I also suspect that we’ll see similar weight saving measures on the proposed A7NO when it's eventually 

 

 

1 hour ago, Laser Shark said:

 

The AVLBs won’t be transferred to the Army before 2023-24, so it’s possible that this won’t be it’s final configuration. That said, I do find it weird that it doesn’t have APB instead of APU already. Even if it wasn’t necessary to reduce the weight of this vehicle (???), you’d think it would still be a good idea to standardise on one solution.

 

Having only one system makes absolutely sense since it shares HIM, eases maintenance

and the lithium pack reduces weight, noise and thermal emissions. Only reason for an APU would be if the AVLB needs long term 17kW power for silent watch which is not the case. 

 

We are currently having that discussion as well. Some are aiming towards APU because that is already in use but I think that the diesel engine will not be availble in the future anymore. Lithium is clearly the path to go for - on my opinion.

[SH_MM]

Leopard 2A4M CAN

 

[Scout]

 

[Laser Shark]

Canada

 

[Gun Ready]

This is an old training tank with the dozer blade from KMW.

[Gun Ready]

Additional engineer equipment had been adapted from Leopard 1 to Leopard 2 within the Tactical Mobility Implements (TMI) program: mine plough (IMI) and mine roller (Urdan). The common mechanical and electrical interface had been developed by KMW.

[Ramlaen]

https://maavoimat.fi/en/-/firepower-and-interoperability-of-the-army-mbts-leopard-2-to-improve

 

The Ministry of Defence has authorised the Finnish Defence Forces to sign a contract on the firing control system ballistics upgrade for the Army main battle tanks Leopard 2 A4 and 2 A6. The procurement will upgrade the capability of the MBTs Leopard 2 A4 and 2 A6 originally procured from Germany and the Netherlands.

- The upgrade will incorporate into the Leopard MBT fleet the ability to fire new HE/FRAG projectiles in addition to the ammunition already in place. This will significantly improve the MBTs firepower, utilisation opportunities and ability to provide support to Army troops, Inspector of Infantry, Colonel Rainer Peltoniemi from the Army Command says.

 

https://www.joint-forces.com/defence-equipment-news/28776-imi-systems-m339-120mm-tank-ammo-for-finland

 

Press Release, Haifa, 13 January 2020: Elbit Systems announced today that its subsidiary, IMI Systems, was selected by the Finnish Ministry of Defence (Finnish MoD), following a competitive testing by the Finish Defence Forces (FDF), to provide the Finnish Army with the M339, a NATO compliant 120mm High Explosive Multi-Purpose ammunition, and Data Setting Units, for its Leopard 2 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs).

[Glattrohr]

6 minutes ago, Ramlaen said:

https://maavoimat.fi/en/-/firepower-and-interoperability-of-the-army-mbts-leopard-2-to-improve

 

The Ministry of Defence has authorised the Finnish Defence Forces to sign a contract on the firing control system ballistics upgrade for the Army main battle tanks Leopard 2 A4 and 2 A6. The procurement will upgrade the capability of the MBTs Leopard 2 A4 and 2 A6 originally procured from Germany and the Netherlands.

- The upgrade will incorporate into the Leopard MBT fleet the ability to fire new HE/FRAG projectiles in addition to the ammunition already in place. This will significantly improve the MBTs firepower, utilisation opportunities and ability to provide support to Army troops, Inspector of Infantry, Colonel Rainer Peltoniemi from the Army Command says.

This is great and long awaited news. The fragmentation performance of HEAT-MP is subtle, to put it mildly. One would guess Nammo would be the supplier for the round, being in nordic ownership and having advertised ready product for some years now.

[Glattrohr]

17 hours ago, Glattrohr said:

This is great and long awaited news. The fragmentation performance of HEAT-MP is subtle, to put it mildly. One would guess Nammo would be the supplier for the round, being in nordic ownership and having advertised ready product for some years now.

I was wrong, the round in question is IMI M339 HE-MP-T. http://www.imisystems.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/120mm-M339-HE-MP-T-Tank-Cartridge-.pdf

Source: https://maavoimat.fi/-/luonnos?fbclid=IwAR3DxcQ6khtydwvcBkH3bnOKIfYDmXrVfjI3NfQ_oE9PEzpY6RtLQYYc2gI

[sentrix]

http://tank-masters.de/?page_id=8790

 

good overview of the leopard 2a7v upgrade by ralph zwilling

 

"For example, the protection level of the chassis will be increased by replacing the internal protection modules in the front of the hull with modern protection modules in D technology, adapting a front protection module at the bow, a duel glacis plate protection as well as catchers in the side hull area and the installation of universal brackets for the optional mounting of heavy side skirts. Since the hulls of the 68 Leopard 2A4s scheduled for conversion to Leopard 2A7V were already too worn and the conversion would have been too complex and cost-intensive, new hulls are being built for these vehicles. 

...

 

Due to the new P 25000 HD final drives with modified transmission ratio, the Leopard 2A7V is now again able to adequately perform the tactical „jump“ from cover. However, this advantage is bought by a reduced top speed, which is anyway rather a pure nominal value without any practical use. In addition, the vehicle receives a 570 Z end connector track adapted to the increased weight, new sprockets, reinforced torsion bars and four additional hydraulic bump stops.

...

In addition to an Attica 3rd generation thermal sight and a new eye-safe laser rangefinder in the EMES 15A2 main sight, the gunner will have an additional display to the left of his control handles. This allows him to observe the EMES and PERI R17A3 fields of view more fatigue-free during longer operations due to the more ergonomic seating position.

...

All 68 vehicles originally based on the Leopard 2A4 main battle tank will be equipped with the new L55A1 120 mm smoothbore gun, including new breechblocks, recoil brakes and recuperators, which permits significantly higher gas pressure."

 

____________________________

 

Leopard 2a6a3 will also receive the L55a1 gun

source: infobriefheer_02_2021    page 15

 

 

[Sheffield]

Wow, a confirmation that D-technology is an internal armour package. Years of debates can finally be put to rest.

[SH_MM]

 

With all the add-on armor Kodiak 3 becomes quite the chonky boy.

[Rico]

7 hours ago, SH_MM said:

 

With all the add-on armor Kodiak 3 becomes quite the chonky boy.

 

Oh yes lots of NERA AoA and new Rheinmetall RWS on top.

Still I can't get why Germany selected this on over Wisent since competitive test were quite bad but in the end it will be better than Leopard 1 AEV2 and they might improve performance during the project so let's wait how the result will be.

Is there any info how close it will be to Leo 2A7?