Spähpanzer Luchs

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Bundeswehr Luchs during KFOR operation
Spähpanzer Luchs
General characteristics
Crew	3
Length	7.34 m
Width	2.98 m
Height	2.90 m
Weight	19.5 tonnes
Armour and armament
Armour
Main armament	20 mm cannon
Secondary armament	MG3
Mobility
Power plant	10-cylinder-motor diesel 390 hp (287 kw)
Suspension	hydraulic all (8) wheel drive
Road speed	90 km/h on roads, 10 km/h swimming in water
Power/weight	-- hp/tonne
Range	730 km

The Spähpanzer Luchs (German: Lynx) is a German 8x8 amphibious reconnaissance armoured fighting vehicle (Spähpanzer) in service since 1975 by the West German and German armies, who used a total of 408 in their armoured reconnaissance battalions. The all-wheel drive Luchs made by Thyssen-Henschel is well armoured, has an NBC protection system and is characterized by its low-noise running. The eight large low-pressure tyres have run-flat properties. At speeds up to about 50 km/h all four axles can be steered. As a special feature the vehicle is equipped with a special rear-facing driver with his own driving position. Up to the first combat effectiveness upgrade in 1986 the Luchs was fully amphibious and could surmount water obstacles quickly and independently using propellers at the rear and the fold back trim vane at the front. The upgrade to the Luchs A1 started in 1986 uncluded the incorporation of a thermal observation and gunnery system, which replaced the original infrared/white light night vision system mounted to the left of the turret. The incorporation of the new SEM 80/90 radio system gave it the designation SpPz 2 Luchs A2. The Luchs will be replaced by the Fennek in Bundeswehr service.