Leopard 2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
|
| Leopard 2A6 | |
|---|---|
| General characteristics | |
| Crew | 4 |
| Length | 7.7 m |
| Width | 3.7 m |
| Height | 3.0 m |
| Weight | 62 tonnes |
| Armour and armament | |
| Armour | composite; including high-hardness steel, tungsten and plastic filler with ceramic component. |
| Main armament | 120 mm L55 smoothbore
42 rounds |
| Secondary armament | 2×7.62 mm MG 3i
4,750 rounds |
| Mobility | |
| Power plant | MTU MB 873 12-cylinder diesel 1,500 PS (1,103 kW) |
| Suspension | torsion-bar |
| Road speed | 72 km/h |
| Power/weight | 24.2 hp/tonne |
| Range | 550 km |
The Leopard 2 is a German main battle tank built by the German company Krauss-Maffei-Wegmann, developed in the early 1970s and first entering service in 1979, replacing the earlier Leopard 1 as the foremost MBT in the Bundeswehr. Its different versions have served in the armed forces of Germany and ten other European countries.
There are two main development batches of the tank, the original models up to Leopard 2A4 which have vertically faced turret armor, and the "Improved" batch, namely Leopard 2A5 and newer, which have angled arrow-shaped turret add-on armor together with a number of other improvements. All models feature digital fire control systems with laser range-finders, fully stabilized main gun and coaxial machinegun and night vision equipment (first vehicles used a Low-Light Level TV system or LLLTV, thermal imaging was introduced later on). The tank has the ability to engage moving targets while moving over rough terrain. It can drive through water 4 meters deep using a snorkel or 1.2 meters without any preparation and climb vertical obstacles over 1 meter high. The tank is powered with a turbo-charged multi-fuel V12 diesel engine that produces 1500 horsepower and gives the vehicle a top speed of 68 km/h. The Leopard 2 was indicated by one Discovery Channel program to be the best MBT ever, the American version featured the M1 Abrams as such.
[edit] Development
Even as the Leopard was entering service in the 1965, an up-gunned Leopard with the new Rheinmetall L44 120-mm gun being was considered to keep pace with the newer Soviet designs, but this was cancelled in favor of the joint MBT-70 "super-tank" project with the United States. The MBT-70 was a revolutionary design, but after large cost overruns, Germany withdrew from the project in 1969.
Work on a national development was started in 1970 by Krauss-Maffei. A year later a choice was made for it to be based on the earlier Experimentalentwicklung (later named Keiler) project of the late sixties (itself derived from the vergoldeter Leopard or Gilded Leopard), instead of being a modified MBT-70 or Eber. The name of the design was determined in 1971 as "Leopard 2" with the original Leopard retroactively becoming the Leopard 1. Seventeen prototypes were ordered that year (only sixteen hulls were built). They had to have a maximum weight of fifty metric tons.
On 11 December 1974 a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the USA for the possible joint production of a new MBT, after the Americans had bought and investigated prototype hull number seven in 1973. In view of the experiences in the Yom Kippur War a much higher level of protection was demanded than was implemented in the prototypes, that used heavily sloped spaced armour. The weight class was increased to sixty tons. Prototype turret number fourteen was changed to test a new armour configuration, and was turned into a blockier looking turret as a result of using vertical steel perforated armour; it already had been much more voluminous than the turret of a Leopard 1 because of a large internal ammunition storage locker in the rear. The Leopard 2 thus initially used perforated armour but not Chobham armour as often claimed. PT-14 used the 120 mm Rheinmetall gun (as eventually did the U.S. Abrams). After this two new prototype hulls and three turrets were ordered, one (PT-20) mounting the original L7A3 105 mm gun and a Hughes fire control system, a second (PT-19) with the same fire control system but able to "swap out" the gun for the 120 mm Rheinmetall design (it was indeed so changed by the Americans), and one more (PT-21) mounting the Hughes-Krupp Atlas Elektronik EMES 13 fire control system, with the 120 mm gun.
In the summer of 1976 prototype 19 was assembled and shipped to the USA, together with hull number twenty and a special target vehicle to test the armour. The prototype was called Leopard 2AV (Austere Version) because it had a simplified fire control system. It arrived in the US by the end of August 1976, and comparative tests between the Leopard 2 and the XM1 (the prototype name for the M1 Abrams) prototypes were held from 1 September at Aberdeen Proving Ground, lasting until December 1976. The US Army reported that the Leopard 2 and the XM1 were comparable in firepower and mobility, but the XM1 was superior in armor protection. Today we know this was only true as regards a hit by a hollow charge; against KE-attack the Leopard 2 was almost twice as well protected as the original M1 (650 mm to 350 mm). The difference with a shaped charge is also negligible. Its more traditional multifuel diesel engine was also much more reliable, and provided the same performance. Hull twenty was fitted with simulation weights, which transpired to equal only the weight of a turret without armour modules fitted, devalidating all performance data. After the comparative test the Leopard 2 hulls were returned to Germany for further evaluation, but turret 19 remained and was fitted to the hull of prototype seven, while its gun was changed for the 120 mm Rheinmetall. In tests until March 1977 it was found to be far superior to the 105 mm M7 mounted on the Abrams, which was confirmed by subsequent NATO tank gunnery contests.
Even before the tests had begun it had been decided by the USA to build the M1. In January 1977 Germany ordered a small preseries of three hulls and two turrets, delivered in 1978. These vehicles had increased armour protection on the front of the hull. In September 1977 1800 Leopard 2 were ordered, to be produced in five batches. The first was delivered on 25 October 1979. At that moment the Dutch army had already rejected the M1 because of its high operating costs and the refusal by the Americans to fit a Dutch version with the 120 mm gun and ordered 445 Leopard 2s on 2 March 1979. The Swiss ordered 35 tanks on 24 August 1983 and started licence production of 345 additional vehicles in December 1987. Thus hardly being a major export success in the eighties (no tank of the latest generation was), the type became very popular in the nineties, when the shrinking German army offered many of its redundant Leopard 2s at a reduced price. Today it has become successful enough in Europe that the manufacturer has started calling it the Euro Leopard. However, France, Britain, and Italy all have their own MBTs currently.
[edit] Production history
In September 1977 the German Ministry of Defense decided to go ahead with plans for production of 1,800 Leopard 2s, to be delivered in five batches. Krauss-Maffei was again chosen as the main contractor, but this time Maschinenbau Kiel (MaK), of Kiel, Germany would be a major (45%) subcontractor. Deliveries started in 1979, and by 1982 the first batch of 380 Leopard 2; 209 by Krauss-Maffei (Chassis Nr. 10001 to 10210) and 171 by Mak (Chassis Nr. 20001 to 20172) was completed. The earliest of these were mounted with an image intensifier, the last 80 with a new thermal night-sight system, and this was later retrofitted to the earlier models.
The first export customer was The Netherlands which received 445 between 1981 and 1986; 114 of these (and one turret) were later sold to Austria and 52 of these were later sold to Norway. Sweden also acquired 280 Leopards, 160 2A4s from German stocks, designated Stridsvagn 121, and the rest 2(S) models (Strv122) similar to the 2A5. Spain leased 108 2A4 models in the interim period before 219 licence-made 2A6 models (Leopardo 2E) were built. Switzerland bought 380 between 1987 and 1993. A number of countries also use versions of them including Poland, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Turkey and Chile. Germany has fielded about 2125 of them in various versions. The design was also tested by Britain in the 1980s, which ultimately decided on the Challenger 2. The Australian Army evaluated ex-German Leopard 2s as a replacement for its Leopard 1 tanks in 2003 but instead selected the M1A1 Abrams.
The recent wins for the Leopard 2 (such as Greece selecting the Leopard 2 over the M1 Abrams and the Leclerc) are strong evidence that the Leopard 2 is one of the best selling tanks in the world. However, it is still untested in actual tank-to-tank combat as Leopard 2 only fired shots against unarmoured targets in peacekeeping operations in Kosovo.
[edit] Variants
[edit] Leopard 2A1
A number of minor modifications and the installation of the gunner's thermal sight was worked into the second batch of 450 vehicles Leopard 2 designated the A1; 248 by Krauss-Maffei (Chassis Nr. 10211 to 10458) and 202 by Mak (Chassis Nr. 20173 to 20347). Deliveries of the 2A1 models started in March 1982 and ended in November 1983. The two most notable changes were the modification of the ammunition racks to be identical to those in the M1 Abrams, and redesigned fuel filters that reduced refueling time.
A third batch of 300 Leopard 2; 165 by Krauss-Maffei (Chassis Nr. 10459 to 10623) and 135 by MaK (Chassis Nr. 20375 to 20509.) 2A1's of the third batch were built between November 1983 and November 1984, which included more minor changes that were later retrofitted to the earlier 2A1's.
[edit] Leopard 2A3
The fourth batch of 300 vehicles Leopard 2;165 by Krauss-Maffei (Chassis Nr. 10624 to 10788) and 135 by Mak (Chassis Nr. 20510 to 20644) was delivered between December 1984 and December 1985. The main change was the addition of the SEM80/90 digital radio sets (also being fitted to the Leopard 1 at the same time), and the ammunition reloading hatches being welded shut. Even with these minor changes the new batch was known as the 2A3.
[edit] Leopard 2A4
The most wide-spread version of the Leopard 2 family, the 2A4 models included more substantial changes, including an automated fire and explosion suppression system, an all-digital fire control system able to handle new ammunition types, and improved turret with flat titanium/tungsten armor.
- 370 vehicles Leopard 2; 190 by Krauss-Maffei (Chassis Nr. 10789 to 10979) and 180 by Mak (Chassis Nr. 20645 to 20825) were delivered between December 1985 and March 1987.
- Although only five batches were originally ordered, another batch of 150 Leopard 2; 83 by Krauss-Maffei (Chassis Nr. 10980 to 11062) and 67 by Mak (Chassis Nr. 20826 to 20892) was ordered in 1987. These included new batteries and tracks, and moved the warning light so it could be better observed by the driver when he was driving "head out".
- Yet another batch of 100 vehicles Leopard 2; 55 by Krauss-Maffei (Chassis Nr. 11063 to 11117) and 45 by Mak (Chassis Nr. 20893 to 20937) was delivered between May 1989 and April 1990, identical to the sixth. A smaller batch of 75 vehicles Leopard 2; 41 by Krauss-Maffei (Chassis Nr. 11118 to 11158) and 34 by Mak (Chassis Nr. 20938 to 20971) was delivered until 1992.
All older models have been upgraded to the 2A4 standard.
- Sweden received 160 used examples on loan while waiting for the 120 Leopard 2(S) they ordered. The Leopard 2A4 is designated Strv121 in Swedish service.
- Finland has bought 124 Leopard 2A4 from German Army reserve stocks.
- Poland received 128 Leopard 2A4 from German Army reserve stocks as military assistance, only paying for the transportation costs.
- Greece has bought 183 Leopard 2A4 from German Army reserve stocks.
- Spain has been leased 108 used Leopard 2A4 by Germany; between 2005 and 2015 these will be paid for after which Spain will have full ownership.
- Chile is now receiving initial deliveries of 118 Leopard 2A4 from Germany.
- Turkey has bought 298 used Leopard 2A4 from Germany including 10,000 rounds of DM-63 ammunition along with these tanks.
- Singapore will acquire 66 Leopard 2A4 tanks together with 30 spare tanks and supporting equipment from Germany; according to press release by Singapore's Ministry of Defence on 11th Dec 2006[1].
[edit] Leopard 2A5
The A5 introduced a wedge-shaped spaced add-on armor to the turret front and sides. Though its main function is to defeat a hollow charge attack, the spaced armour is also designed to effect kinetic-energy penetrators by forcing them to change direction and by eroding them in the process; it does not form a shot-trap since it doesn't deflect the penetrators outwards to hit the hull or turret ring. The gun mantle was redesigned to accept the new armor. There were also some improvements in the main armor composition. Tank interior received spall liners to reduce fragments if the armor is penetrated. Side skirts were replaced with a new type. The commander's sight was moved to a new position behind his hatch and it received an independent thermal channel. The gunner's sight was moved to the turret roof as opposed to the cavity in the front armor in previous models. A new heavier sliding driver's hatch was fitted. Turret controls went all-electric, increasing reliability and crew safety, and producing some weight savings. A5 entered service in the German tank battalions in mid-1998.
[edit] Leopard 2A6
Includes the addition of the 120 mm L55 smoothbore gun (Rheinmetall DeTec AG) and a number of other changes. All German tank battalions of the "crisis intervention forces" are equipped with the A6, as are all Dutch operational units.
[edit] Leopard 2 Hel
On March 20, 2003 the Greek army ordered 170 new LEOPARD 2 HEL (Hellenic), a derivative of version 2A6, to be delivered between 2006 and 2009. A total of 140 will be built in Greece by ELBO, which delivered the first units in late 2006. Leopard 2 HEL images and info
[edit] Leopardo 2E
A derivative of the version 2A6 (with greater armor protection), developed under a program of co manufacture 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 was included the cession of use by a period of five years of 108 Leopard 2A4 from the German Army to the Spanish Army. However, this cession was extended up to 2016, and after that those tanks will be the sole property of the Spanish Army, as has been made public on 24 January 2006, then having been paid a total of 15.124.014 euros in ten yearly installments, giving the Spanish coproperty from 2006. In 1998, the Spanish government agreed to contract 219 tanks of the Leopard 2E line, 16 recovery tanks Leopard 2ER (Bufalo) and 4 training vehicles. They chose Santa Bárbara Sistemas as the main contractor. The program, with a budget of 1,939.4 million Euros, includes also the integrated logistical support, training courses for crew instructors and maintenance engineers and driving, turret, maintenance, aiming and shooting simulators. Deliveries of the first batch began in 2004 and should complete in 2008.
[edit] Leopard 2(S)
- Strv 122 used by the Swedish Army
- Based on the 2A5
- Has upgraded Command and Control systems and increased armor protection.
- Can be distinguished from the 2A4 Strv 121 by its wedge-shaped turret armor.
- Uses French GALIX smoke dispensers
[edit] Pz87
Used by Switzerland
- Swiss built machine-guns and communications equipment.
- Improved NBC protection.
[edit] Leopard 2 PSO
This new variant Leopard 2 PSO (Peace Support Operations) is designed specially for MOUT (Military Operations in Urban Terrain) which peacekeeping operations as encountered more and more. Therefore the Leopard 2 PSO is equipped with more effective all around protection, combined with a secondary weapons station, improved reconnaissance ability, a dozer, non lethal armament, close range surveillance ability (through camera systems), a searchlight and further changes to improve its perseverance and mobility.
[edit] Leopard 2 140mm
As the 1990s began, Rheinmetall began developing a 140mm smoothbore cannon as a future tank cannon. This was intended to counter new developments in Soviet-bloc armored fighting vehicles, most especially persistent rumours that the next-generation Soviet main battle tank would be armed with either a 135mm or 152mm cannon. This program was contemplated as the third stage in the KWS program of modernizing Leopard 2 tanks. KWS I was the replacement of the L/44 120mm cannon with the 55-calibre model, KWS II was a modernization program that became the Leopard 2A5 (q.q.v.), and KWS III would have replaced the main armament with the new 140mm cannon. The KWS III was not adopted then, but development continued on the 140mm weapon system, with Rheinmetall coordinating with Royal Ordnance from the UK and GIAT from France.
[edit] Bergepanzer BPz3
An armoured recovery vehicle, or ARV, the BPz3 includes both a bulldozer and a crane with integral winch, allowing it to approach damaged vehicles, even over rough and fought-over terrain, and tow them to safety. It is equipped with a machine gun for local self-defence, a smoke grenade launcher, and NBC protection. Like the tank, it is powered by a 1500-horsepower diesel engine. In service with Germany (where it is also designated Büffel or Bergepanzer 3), The Netherlands (who co-developed it and call it Buffel), Austria, Greece, Spain (where it is called Leopard 2ER Bufalo), Sweden (in modified form as the Bgbv 120), and Switzerland.
[edit] Panzerschnellbrücke 2
This vehicle, created by MAN Mobile Bridges GmbH, is an armoured vehicle-launched bridge developed from the Leopard 2 tank chassis. It is designed to carry a folding mobile bridge, which it can "launch" across a river. Once emplaced, the bridge is sturdy enough to support most vehicles, even Leopard tanks. When the crossing is complete, the bridge-layer simply hooks up to the bridge and re-stows it. The Panzerschnellbrücke 2 is currently used only by Germany and The Netherlands, where it is called Bruglegger MLC 70.
[edit] Pionierpanzer 3 Kodiak
A combat engineering vehicle, or CEV, conversion of the Leopard 2, the Kodiak is used by Switzerland. While equipped with a bulldozer, excavator,and dual capstan winches, the Pionierpanzer 3 has no turret and is unarmed. It rides on the Leopard 2 chassis with a built-up forward superstructure. The vehicle, which is only in use by the Swiss Army, is used primarily for clearance of obstacles (including minefields).
[edit] Driver Training Tank (Fahrschulpanzer)
The Leopard 2 Driver Training Tank, as the name implies, is a non-combatant Leopard 2 meant to instruct soldiers in the finer points of handling a 60+ ton vehicle. The turret is supplanted by a weighted and fixed observation cab with forward and side-facing windows and a dummy gun. The instructor rides in this cab, with override controls for critical systems, and space is provided for two other students to observe.
[edit] Operators
Austria, 114 Leopard 2 A4 and a single turret.
Chile, 118 Leopard 2 A4 ordered[2]
Denmark, 57 Leopard 2 A5+[3]
Finland, 124 Leopard 2 A4
Germany, 502 Leopard 2 A4, 125 Leopard 2 A5, 225 Leopard 2 A6
Greece, 183 Leopard 2 A4 and 170 Leopard 2 A6 (Leopard 2 HEL)
The Netherlands,180 Leopard 2 A6, 128 A4s and a damaged hull refused by Austria.
Norway, 52 Leopard 2 A4NO (currently replacing the old Leopard 1 tanks with Leopard 2. The Leopard 2A4 will be upgraded to A5 standard)
Poland, 128 Leopard 2 A4
Portugal, in negotiations with The Netherlands to acquire a number of Leopard 2A6
Singapore, 66 Leopard 2A4 + 30 Spares (On order)[4]
Spain, 108 Leopard 2 A4 and 219 Leopard 2 A6 (Leopard 2 E)
Sweden, 160 Leopard 2 A4 (Strv 121) and 120 Leopard 2 A5 (Strv 122 or Leopard 2S)
Switzerland, 380 Leopard 2 A4 (Pz 87)
Turkey, 298 Leopard 2 A4
[edit] External links
- Army Technology - Leopard 2 Main Battle Tank
- Army Vehicles.DK Leopard 2A5
- Army Vehicles.DK Leopard 2A4
- Military Periscope - Leopard 2 main battle tank
- Fprado.com - Kampfpanzer Leopard 2
- Dutch Cavalry Museum
- Leopard 2A5
- Leopard 2A6 at army-guide.com
- Scandinavian Armor Website
- A Finnish Army Leopard 2A4 firing from a hull-down position
- A Finnish Leopard 2A4 firing, videoed from inside the turret
- The Leopard 2A4 in the Austrian Army
| Ariete | Arjun | Challenger 2 | Ch'onma-ho | K1 | Leclerc | Leopard 2 | M1 Abrams | M-84 Merkava | PT-91 Twardy | T-80 | T-84 | T-90 | Type 90 | Type 96 | Type 99 |
