The German company KMW (Krauss Maffei Wegmann) presents the latest generation and demonstrator of the Leopard 2A7 MBT (main battle tank) in Eurosatory 2022the International Defense Exhibition which was held in Paris, France, in June 2022.
The Leopard 2 is one of the most modern MBTs (Main Battle Tanks) in the world. The first Leopard 2 production was delivered by Krauss-Maffei in October 1979 in Munich. The first delivery of the Leopard 2 MBTs to the German Army takes place in 1992.
Since entering service in 1992, the Leopard 2 has undergone numerous modifications and upgrades, with the latest version of the Leopard 2A7 entering service with the German Army in December 2014. The version of the Leopard 2A7 in service with the german armycalled the Leopard 2A7V is one of the heaviest tanks in the world weighing in at 63.9 tons, but offers the best protection, firepower and mobility for a tank in this class.
En Eurosatory 2022, the Leopard 2A7 was presented with a modernization package that included many new improvements in terms of mobility, firepower and protection. The general layout of the Leopard 2A7 Demonstrator is similar to that of the Leopard 2A7, with the driver’s position at the front right of the hull, the turret in the center and the power block at the rear. The tank maintains a crew of four.
The Leopard 2A7 Demonstrator is armed with an upgraded L55A1 120mm main gun that can fire a new APFSDS (Armor-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot) round, as well as state-of-the-art kinetic energy tank shells and the latest multi-purpose ammunition. programmable high explosive The tank carries a total of 42 cartridges. Second armament includes a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun mounted to the left of the main armament. The turret roof is equipped with a Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS) armed with a 12.7mm heavy machine gun.
In terms of protection, the Leopard 2A7 Demonstrator is fitted with modular armor mounted around the hull and turret to increase protection against anti-tank guided missiles and rocket propelled grenades (RPGs). The new armor offers 360º protection for the turret. The floor of the tank has also been improved to reinforce the protection of the crew against the explosion of mines and improvised explosive devices.
The Leopard 2A7 Demonstrator’s L2 A7 hull and turret are also equipped with a 360° active protection system capable of countering shoulder-launched anti-tank missile attacks. The turret is equipped with the Israeli Trophy APS (Active Protection System) system that offers 360° protection against all known chemical energy (CE) threats., including CE tank bullets. The tank also features the PERI RTWL, Commander Hensoldt’s periscope used on the German Puma IFV, which includes a third-generation thermal camera, laser rangefinder and new fiber optic gyroscopes, as well as a space awareness system. 360° local situation and laser alert.
As for mobility, the Leopard 2A7 Demonstrator maintains the MTU MB 873 Ka-501 V12 biturbo liquid-cooled diesel engine, which develops 1,479 hp. at 2,600 rpm, coupled to a Renk HSWL 354 transmission with four forward and two reverse gears, with torque converter, and is fully automatic, with the driver selecting the range. The torsion bar suspension consists, on each side, of seven dual-tyred road wheels, with the idler at the front, the drive pinion at the rear, and four support rollers in the track. The tank is equipped with a new 20 kW auxiliary power unit with stabilizing ultracaps. It also features a new upgraded running gear and an improved cooling unit for the power unit.
The Leopard 2A7 Demonstrator is capable of reaching a maximum road speed of 60 km/h with a maximum range of 400 km.. The tank can overcome a lateral slope of 30% and a forward slope of 60%. It can cross a 3m ditch and climb a 1.05m vertical obstacle. It can cross a water obstacle with a depth of up to 4m.
The Leopard 2A7 Demonstrator has a maximum combat weight of 64.3 tonnes and a maximum length with the barrel at the front of 10.968m, a width of 3.774m and a maximum height of 3.18m.