Battle tank Leopard 2
Kampfpanzer Leopard 2
The successor to the Leopard 1, the Leopard 2, was first produced in 1979. A variety of upgrade programs and options are available for the Leopard 2. These include the Atlas Elektronik Vehicle Integrated Command and Information System (IFIS), a digital command and information system. The Leopard 2 has had technical improvements under Upgrading Level I and Level II programs. A new smoothbore gun, the 120 millimetre L55 Gun, has been developed by Rheinmetall GmbH of Ratingen, Germany to replace the shorter 120 millimetre L44 smoothbore tankgun on the Leopard 2. It permits effective use of a new APFSDS-T round, DM53 (LKE II), with a longer rod penetrator, and which is under development. The German Army has decided not to buy the DM43 APFSDS-T round (aka LKE 1), rather to wait and upgrade to the DM53.
VARIANTS
A variety of MBT variants from 2A1 to 2A4 denote minor changes, as well as FCS upgrades. Combat support variants include an armored recovery vehicle.
Pz87: Swiss variant with indigenous machineguns, communications and FCS, and improved NBC equipment.
Dutch Leopard 2: Uses indigenous equipment as noted above.
Leopard 2A5/Leopard 2 (Improved): Recent upgrade with spaced armor added to turret front, and increased armor on hull and side skirts. Other improvements include improved stabilization, suspension, navigation, fire control, and hatch design.
Leopard 2E: A derivative of the version A5a developed under a program of comanufacture between the industries of Spain and Germany. The program is developed within the frame of collaboration decided in 1995 between the Ministries of Defense of both countries, in which also the cession of use by a period of five years of 108 Leopard 2A4 from the German Army to the Spanish was. On 23 December 1998 the Spanish Cabinet approved the comanufacture contract, designating Santa Bárbara Blindados (SBB - Armored company Santa Barbara) as the main contractor. The Leopard 2E/ER and its elements will be made totally in Spain, with German technological support. SBB, a branch of the National Company Santa Barbara (Empresa Nacional Santa Bárbara -ENSB) in Seville, is responsible for the final assembly, integration and tests of the vehicles.
Strv 121: The Swedish Army has taken delivery of 160 ex-German Army Leopard 2 MBTs under the designation Strv 121.
Strv 122: Early in 1998 the Swedish Army took delivery of the first of 120 brand new Leopard 2 MBTs, based on the German Leopard 2A5 but with many improvements, under the local designation of the Strv 122. This Swedish-licensed variant resemblies the Leopard 2A5 with an indigenous turret and other upgrades. The tank features French Galix active protection system and improved command and control. Sweden developed an HE-T round designed to range 2,000 meters or more for its Leopard-2 and Strv-122 tanks. With additional armor, Strv 122 will weigh 62 mt.
Specifications
Alternative Designations Swiss Pz 87, Swedish Strv 121
Date of Introduction 1979
Proliferation At least 7 countries
Description
Crew 4
Combat Weight (mt) 55.15
Chassis Length Overall (m) 7.69
Height Overall (m) 2.79
Width Overall (m) 3.70
Ground Pressure (kg/cm 2 ) 0.83
Automotive Performance
Engine Type 1,500-hp Diesel
Cruising Range (km) 550
Speed (km/h)
Max Road 72
Max Off-Road 45
Average Cross-Country 40
Max Swim N/A
Fording Depths (m) 1.0 Unprepared, 4.0 with snorkel
Radio INA
Protection
Armor, Turret Front (mm) 700 KE/1,000 against HEAT rounds
Applique Armor (mm) Track skirt
Explosive Reactive Armor (mm) N/A
Active Protective System Galix
Mineclearing Equipment No
Self-Entrenching Blade No
NBC Protection System Yes
Smoke Equipment Smoke grenade launchers, 8 each side of turret
ARMAMENT
Main Armaments
Caliber, Type, Name 120-mm smoothbore gun M256
Rate of Fire (rd/min) INA
Loader Type Manual
Ready/Stowed Rounds 15/27
Elevation (°) -9 to +20
Fire on Move Yes
Auxiliary Weapon
Caliber, Type, Name 7.62-mm (7.62x 51) Machinegun MG3A1
Mount Type Turret Coax
Maximum Aimed Range(m) INA
Max Effective Range (m)
Day INA
Night INA
Fire on Move Yes
Rate of Fire (rd/min) 1,200
Caliber, Type, Name 7.62-mm (7.62x 51) Machinegun MG3A1
Mount Type Turret Cupola
Maximum Aimed Range(m) INA
Max Effective Range (m)
Day INA
Night INA
Fire on Move Yes
Rate of Fire (rd/min) 1,200
ATGM Launcher N/A
FIRE CONTROL
FCS Name INA
Main Gun Stabilization WNA-H22, 2-plane
Rangefinder Laser neodymium
Infrared Searchlight Yes
Sights w/Magnification
Gunner
Day Krupp-Atlas EMES-15, 12x / FERO Z18 secondary, 8x
Field of View (°) 5/10
Acquisition Range (m) INA
Night Zeiss thermal imager
Field of View (°) INA
Acquisition Range (m) INA
Commander Fire Main Gun Yes
MAIN ARMAMENT AMMUNITION
Caliber, Type, Name
120-mm APFSDS-T, DM43
Maximum Aimed Range(m) 3,500
Max Effective Range (m)
Day INA
Night INA
Armor Penetration (mm) 450 at 2,000 meters
120-mm APFSDS-T, US Olin GD120
Maximum Aimed Range(m) 3,500
Max Effective Range (m)
Day 3,000
Night INA
Armor Penetration (mm) 520 at 2,000 meters
120-mm HEAT-MP-T, DM-12A1/US Olin M830
Maximum Aimed Range(m) INA
Max Effective Range (m)
Day 2,500
Night INA
Armor Penetration (mm) INA
Other Ammunition Types US-produced M829, M829A1 APFSDS-T; US M830A1 HEAT-MP-T (MPAT), GE DM12A1 (US copy M830) HEAT-MP-T (MPAT)
M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank
The mission of the M1A2 Abrams tank is to close with and destroy enemy forces using firepower, maneuver, and shock effect. The M1A2 is being fielded to armor battalions and cavalry squadrons of the heavy force. In lieu of new production, the Army is upgrading approximately 1,000 older M1 tanks to the M1A2 configuration. During the Army’s current M1A2 procurement program about 1,000 older, less capable M1 series tanks will be upgraded to the M1A2 configuration and fielded to the active forces. There is currently no plan to field the M1A2 to the ARNG. The Army has procured 62 new tanks in the A2 configuration and as of early 1997 completed the conversion of 368 older M1s to M1A2s. An additional 580 M1s are being upgraded to A2s under a five-year contract awarded in FY 1996, with a total of 998 M1 upgrades planned. In FY 1999, the Army will begin upgrading M1s to the M1A2 System Enhancement Program (SEP) configuration. This sensor also will be added to older M1A2s starting in FY 2001. When the SEP enters production, the Army will have a total of 627 M1A2s, all of which will eventually be converted to the SEP configuration.
Further M1A2 improvements, called the System Enhancement Program (SEP), are underway to enhance the tank's digital command and control capabilities and to to improve the tank’s fightability and lethality. The M1A2 SEP (System Enhancement Package), is the digital battlefield centerpiece for Army XXI. It is the heavy force vehicle that will lead Armor into the next century and transition the close combat mission to the Future Combat System (FCS). The M1A2 SEP is an improved version of the M1A2. It contains numerous improvements in command and control, lethality and reliability. M1A2 SEP is in final operational testing, and scheduled to start fielding in 2000. M1A2 SEP tanks are scheduled to begin fielding in 3QFY00. The M1A2 System Enhanced Program (SEP) is an upgrade to the computer core that is the essence of the M1A2 tank. The SEP upgrade includes improved processors, color and high resolution flat panel displays, increased memory capacity, user friendly Soldier Machine Interface (SMI) and an open operating system that will allow for future growth. Major improvements include the integration of the Second Generation Forward Looking Infared (2nd Gen FLIR) sight, the Under Armor Auxiliary Power Unit (UAAPU) and a Thermal Management System (TMS).
The 2nd Generation Forward Looking InfraRed sighting system (2nd Gen FLIR) will replace the existing Thermal Image System (TIS) and the Commander's Independent Thermal Viewer. The incorporation of 2nd Gen FLIR into the M1A2 tank will require replacement of all 1st Gen FLIR components. From the warfighter perspective, this is one of the key improvements on the SEP. The 2nd Gen FLIR is a fully integrated engagement-sighting system designed to provide the gunner and tank commander with significantly improved day and night target acquisition and engagement capability. This system allows 70% better acquisition, 45% quicker firing and greater accuracy. In addition, a gain of 30% greater range for target acquisition and identification will increase lethality and lessen fratricide. The Commander’s Independent Thermal Viewer (CITV) provides a hunter killer capability. The 2nd GEN FLIR is a variable power sighting system ranging from 3 or 6 power (wide field of view) for target acquisition and 13, 25 or 50 power (narrow field of view) for engaging targets at appropriate range.
The UAAPU consist of a turbine engine, a generator, and a hydraulic pump. The generator is capable of producing 6 Kilowatts of electrical power at 214 Amps, 28 vdc, and the hydraulic pump is capable of delivering 10 Kilowatts of hydraulic power. The UAAPU can meet the electrical and hydraulic power to operate all electronic and hydraulic components used during mounted surveilance operations and charge the tank's main batteries. The UAAPU will reduce Operational and Support cost by utilizing the same fuel as the tank at a reduced rate of 3-5 gallons per operational hour. The UAAPU is mounted on the left rear sponson fuel cell area and weighs 510 pounds.
Another improvement in the M1A2 SEP is the Thermal Management System (TMS) which keeps the temperature within the crew compartment under 95 degrees and the touch temperature of electronic units under 125 degrees during extreme conditions. By reducing the temperature in the crew compartment for the crew and electronic units, this increases the operational capability for both soldiers and the vehicle. The TMS consists of an Air Handling Unit (AHU) and a Vapor Compression System Unit (VCSU) capable of providing 7.5 Kilowatts of cooling capacity for the crew and Line Repairable Units (LRUs). The AHU is mounted in the turret bustle and the VCSU is mounted forward of the Gunner's Primary Sight (GPS). The TMS uses enviromentally friendly R134a refrigerant and propylene glycol/water mixture to maintain the LRU touch temperature at less than 140 degrees Fahrenheit. The TMS is mounted in the left side of turret bussel and weighs 384 pounds.
The Army requires that all systems operate in the Army Common Operating Environment (ACOE) to improve combined arms operations. Digitization and information dominance across the entire Army for tactical elements is accomplished using Force XXI Battle Command for Brigade and Below (FBCB2) software. In Abrams, FBCB2 software is hosted on a separate card that enables situational awareness across the entire spectrum of tactical operation. It improves message flow, through 34 joint variable message formats, reports ranging from contact reports to logistic roll ups, as well as automatically providing vehicle location to friendly systems. The SEP allows for digital data dissemination with improved ability to optimize information based operations and maintain a relevant common picture while executing Force XXI full dimensional operation. This enhancement increases capability to control the battlefield tempo while improving lethality and survivability. Finally to ensure crew proficiency is maintained, each Armor Battalion is fielded an improved Advanced Gunnery Training System (AGTS) with state-of-the-art graphics.
Changes to the M1A2 Abrams Tank contained in the System Enhancement Program (SEP) and "M1A2 Tank FY 2000" configuration are intended to improve lethality, survivability, mobility, sustainability and provide increased situational awareness and command & control enhancements necessary to provide information superiority to the dominant maneuver force. The Abrams Tank and the Bradley Fighting Vehicle are two central components of the dominant maneuver digital force.
System Enhancement Program upgrades are intended to:
improve target detection, recognition and identification with the addition of two 2nd generation FLIRs.
incorporate an under armor auxiliary power unit to power the tank and sensor suites.
incorporate a thermal management system to provide crew and electronics cooling.
increase memory and processor speeds and provide full color map capability.
provide compatibility with the Army Command and Control Architecture to ensure the ability to share command & control and situational awareness with all components of the combined arms team.
Specifications
Manufacturer General Dynamics (Land Systems Division)
Crew 4: Commander, Gunner, Loader & Driver
Weight 69.54 Tons
Length (Gun Forward) 387 inches
Turret Height 93.5 inches
Width 144 inches
Ground Clearance 19 inches
Ground Pressure 15.4 PSI
Obstacle Crossing 42 inches
Vertical Trench 9 Feet
Power plant AGT-1500 turbine engine
Power Rating 1500 HP
Power to Weight Ratio 21.6 hp/ton
Hydro Kinetic Transmission 4 Speed Forward
2 Speed Reverse
Speed - Maximum 42 mph (Governed)
Speed - Cross Country 30 mph
Speed - 10% Slope 17 mph
Speed - 60% Slope 4.1 mph
Acceleration
(0 to 20 mph) 7.2 Seconds
Cruising Range 265 Miles
Main Armament
120mm M256
Smooth Bore Cannon
Commander's Weapon .50 Cal M2 Machinegun
Coaxial Weapon 7.62 M240 Machinegun
Loader's Weapon 7.62 M240 Machinegun on Skate Mount
NBC System 200 SCFM - CleanCooled Air
Inventory 403 USMC
Unit Replacement Cost $4,300,000