Leopard 2

Leopard 2

Undoubtedly, the Leopard 2 is one of the best MBT (Main Battle Tank) in the world. Developed by Krauss-Maffei for Western Germany during the Cold War, the tank first entered service in 1979 and was produced more than 3 thousand times. As of today, the Leopard 2 is currently in service for Germany along with 17 more countries. 

The Leopard 2 is a 67.8 short tons (2 A6) 4 man crew MBT powered by MTU MB 873 Ka-501 liquid-cooled V12 twin-turbo engine that have a max-speed of 42 mph with an operational range of 550 km for its 1,200 liter fuel capacity. Transmission is the Renk HSWL 354 hydro-kinetic planetary gear box that have four forward and two reverse gears. Power is supplied by an eight 12-volt/125 Ab batteries with a 24-volt electrical system. The armor used is a spaced multi-layer armour consisting a combination of steel plates of different hardness, elastic materials and other non-metalic materials. The tank design followed the concept of compartmentation, which means that the ammunitions and hydraulics are located in a separate compartment with blow-off panels to protect the crew in case of ammunition detonation. It is also equipped with 2 groups of Wegmann 76 mm smoke mortars mounted on both sides that can be fired either as single or by salvo of four (Dutch Leopard 2s are equipped with their own smoke mortar system). The Dragger overprresurization system protects the crew in case of NBC threats (nuclear, biological and chemical). Fire protection systems are four 9 kg Halon fire extinguisher bottles connected to pipes and hoses installed on the right behind the driver's station. The system is automatically activated when the compartmen temperature rise above 82°C, or manually via a control panel in the driver's station. An extra 2.5 kg Halon fire extinguisher bottle is stored on the floor beneath the main gun.

Leopard 2 A6 firing her main gun. 

Just like the M1 Abrams, the Leopard 2, up to the variant of 2A4 are using the Rheinmetall 120 mm smoothbore cannon known as L44, while the Leopard 2A5 to 2A6 are using a longer barreled cannon, called the L55. Ammunitions of her main gun are stored in a special magazine comprised of 27 rounds located on the forward section of the hull. An extra 15 rounds are stored on the left side of the turret bustle separated from the fighting compartment by an electrically operated door. The gun is stabilized and can fire even on the move using a variety of rounds such as the German DM43 APFSDS-T anti-tank round and the German DM12 multipurpose anti-tank projectile (MPAT). A specially developed APFSDS-T round for the L55, the DM-53, is said to be able to penetrate 750 mm of RHAe armour at a range of 2,000 meters. Secondary armaments for the Leopard 2 are two light machine guns, one mounted coaxially and the other on an anti-aircraft mount. German Leopard 2 tanks are equipped with MG3 7.62mm while the Dutch and Singaporean Leopard 2 use the FN MAG 7.62mm machine guns. The Swiss use their own MG 87 7.5mm machine guns. The tank carries a full load of 4,750 rounds of machine gun ammunitions.

The firing system for the Leopard 2 is the German EMES 15 fire control system with a dual magnification stabilised primary sight. It has an integrated neodymium yttrium aluminium garnet Nd:YAG laser rangefinder and a 120 element Mercury cadmium telluride, HgCdTe (also known as CMT) Zeiss thermographic camera that are both connected to the tank’s fire control ballistic computer. A backup 8x auxiliary telescope FERO-Z18 is mounted coaxially for the gunner. The Rheinmetall/Zeiss PERI-R 17 A2, a stabilised panoramic periscope sight designed for day/night observation and target identification is installed also for the commander's use.

Leopard 2 A7 

 Variants

Leopard 2 is the base model, often called “AO”. A total 380 of this version was manufactured from October 1979 until March 1982. This version is equipped with electrical-hydraulic stabiliser WNA-H22, a fire control computer, a laser rangefinder, a wind sensor, a general purpose telescope EMES 15, a panorama periscope PERI R17, the tower sight FERO Z18, on the tower roof as well as a computer controlled tank testing set RPP 1–8 (200 of this variant had a low-light enhancer PZB 200).

Leopard 2A1 had minor modifications of the ammunition racks, redesign of fuel filters and the installation of the gunner’s thermal sight.

Leopard 2A2 was installed with EMES 15, replacing the PZB 200 sight. Filler openings and caps are fitted to the forward hull fuel tank to allow separate refuelling. A deflector plate for the periscope and a large coverplate to protect the existing NBC protection system were also installed. Lastly, the tank was given a 5 meter towing cable with different positions.

Leopard 2A3’s significant change was the installation of the SEM80/90 digital radio sets and the ammunition reloading hatches were welded shut.

Leopard 2A4 is the most widespread version with more substantial changes. This includes an automated fire and explosion suppression system, an all-digital fire control system able to handle new ammunition types, and an improved turret with flat titanium/tungsten armour.

Leopard 2A5 introduced a wedge-shaped, spaced add-on armour to the turret front and the frontal area of the sides. The interior received spall liners to reduce fragments if the armour is penetrated and the commander's sight was moved to a new position behind the hatch, receiving an independent thermal channel. The gunner’s sight was also relocated to the turret roof as opposed to the cavity in the front armour in previous models. Turret controls went all-electric, increasing reliability and crew safety, as well as weight savings. The gun braking system was improved to prepare for the later mounting of the new L/55 gun tube and to enable firing of more powerful ammunition.

Leopard 2A6 is also armed with the Rheinmetall 120 mm L55 smoothbore cannon which have two vatiants, the 2A6M and 2A6M CAN. 2A6M had protection under the chassis enhanced for mine protection while 2A6M CAN is the Canadian version of the 2A6. Significant modifications for the 2A6M CAN is a distinctive black boxes mounted on the rear of the turret bustle and stand-off slat armor.

Leopard 2PSO (Peace Support Operations) is a specialized urban-combat proven vehicle with more effective all-around protection. It goes along with a secondary remote weapons station, a bulldozer blade, a shorter gun barrel as well as non-lethal armament and a searchlight as well as some minor armor change to protect against unusual angles.

Leopard 2A7 and 2A7+ are two different types, the 2A7 is an upgraded A6M in coordination with Canada. These are comprised of an air-conditioning system, Steyr M12 TCA auxiliary power unit, Barracuda camouflage system (heat transfer) IFIS digital combat system, onboard network optimization (ultracapacitors stored in the chassis and turret), SOTAS IP digital intercom, upgraded fire suppression system and TC’s Attica thermal imaging module. The 2A7+ on the other hand is designed to operate in low intensity conflicts which can degenerate into high intensity. It means new modular armor modules, frontal protection (dual-kits) and all-around protection against RPGs, mines and IEDs are added. The MG3 was also replaced by a remote-controlled and fully stabilized FLW 200 weapon station.

Leopard  2 A7 

With numerous upgrades to keep phase with her enemies, this German armor called the Leopard 2 is expected to be around for more years to come.

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