Leopard 2A5 KWS II,
2A5 did shape the future of the Leopard 2 platform. Well, it is the single most important, and single best modernization of the Leopard 2, almost 30 years after the first serial vehicle, we still see its solutions being used. History and data, all below.
2A5 did shape the future of the Leopard 2 platform. Well, it is the single most important, and single best modernization of the Leopard 2, almost 30 years after the first serial vehicle, we still see its solutions being used. History and data, all below.
Leopard 2A5 is the result of the KWS II programme (1988). The first demonstrator of technology/early prototype of that tank was putting its upgrades onto Leopard 2 KVT in 89. We can already see the shape we know, higher EMES 15 GPS, improved hull armor, and most important- wedges
Leopard 2 KVT also had its roof armor improved as a protection against bomblets, a trend at that time. Well, as we will see, because of various difficulties, mainly on the money side, 2A5 will in the end only use one out of the three planned improvements fully.
Well, the program did go on, and this way after gathering experience on the KVT, two more vehicles were ordered. Leopard 2 TVM Max and TVM Min. These prototypes were converted from the Leopard 2A4 8th production batch vehicles, meaning the internal armor is the one of the C-Tech.
Improvements were similar, especially on the outside of the tank. Both of the tanks featured new addon armor modules as well as the improved, more finalised addon roof protection. Similar features were the moved upwards EMES-15 sight, new PERI or the redesigned UFP.
However, there are major differences in the technology used inside the tank, most notably in the gun stabilization department. TVM Min used improved hydraulic stabilization system, while the TVM Max used all new, EWNA electric stabilization system, boosting survability.
However, with the 1990s, end of the cold war came. With it, major budget cuts on the various defence programs and the armies themself. Well, KWS II was no different. After going back and forth, a compromise upgrade package was decided on as a result of the Manheim conference.
With it, a TVM 2 prototype was built between 1992 and 1993. After putting it though testing, some additional improvements and redesigns of some elements, this is the tank variant, that in 1995 entered the production as Leopard 2A5 and Leopard 2A5NL (for Netherlands).
And now we will jump into the 2A5 description itself.
Leopard 2A5 is a major redesign and electronics upgrade, standing at 59.7 tons, 4.5 tons above previous Leopard 2A4. For the first 225 vehicles, turrets from 2A4 batches 1-4 were used, putting them onto 6-8 tanks hulls.
Leopard 2A5 is a major redesign and electronics upgrade, standing at 59.7 tons, 4.5 tons above previous Leopard 2A4. For the first 225 vehicles, turrets from 2A4 batches 1-4 were used, putting them onto 6-8 tanks hulls.
A very big structural changes to the turret were made, starting with the new mantlet area, ending on the heightened EMES 15 Gunner primary sight. You can also see new PERI location, as well as slightly redesigned commander coppola.
But well, let's focus on the upgrades, starting with protection. Leopards 2A5s use mostly C Tech base armor in the hull front and turret front, together with new D-Tech addon modules, the so called "wedges" which are made from three layers- steel-rubber-steel.
Some of the vehicles however (most probably all of the 2A5NL), never had its base armor changed. This means, that a base armor of the B-Tech remained, as well as some of the Bundeswehr vehicles are rumored to use C+B or C+D armor technology (hull+turret). There's hardly any info.
There are however more survability boosting elements. One of which is the UFP redesign, featured improved turret ring protection and new sliding driver hatch for improved protection against both enemy shells and weather conditions.
Two of the other things is implementation of the spall liners in the turret, and replacement of the hydraulic drives with EWNA electric drives, with super caps located in the location of the old hydraulic pump- rear hard right side. These let for a major boost in the survability.
Well then, let's move to other changes. Commander got a new PERI R17A2 with 2nd generation TIM thermal imager. This brings a true hunter-killer capability to the Leopards 2. Gunner primary sight is still a raised EMES 15A2 sight equipped with 1st generation WBG-X thermal imager.
Some of the other firepower improvements is PERI position index, which lets the commander to move to 6 or 12 hour position of the hull with one touch of a button, selection of the laser reflection (first or last), electronic firing mechanism and GPS/INS nav systems.
Leopard 2 also has numerous crew functionality improvements. One of them is a new reverse camera for the driver, a seemingly dumb thing, which is a really significant improvement for the crew, as commander no longer needs to turn out of his hatch while reversing.
Another one of these improvements is a new storage area in the back of the turret. Most of the closing spaces were extended and two additional open baskets were implemented on the vehicle, which significantly improves the storage area for personal equipment of the crewmembers.
Leopard 2A5 does use a Rh 120L44 cannon, and in the 90s mostly used two ammunition types, with third joining later. These were:
DM33 APFSDS
DM12A1 HEAT-FS
DM53 APFSDS.
Both of the APFSDS rounds feature a special anti-era tips, which are a major boost against ERA, especially K5.
DM33 APFSDS
DM12A1 HEAT-FS
DM53 APFSDS.
Both of the APFSDS rounds feature a special anti-era tips, which are a major boost against ERA, especially K5.
DM53 however is not without its problems. Together with other rounds that are pushing the propellant as much as possible such as M829A3, this leads to big pressure issues, as with hotter surroundings stability of the propellant decreases, leading to big pressure jump even for L44
The tank is running on 1500HP MTU MB873 engine paired with Renk HSWL 295 transmission with 5 forward and 5 reverse gears. Yes, Leopard could go (and in some cases does) 68km/h in reverse however it is limited to only 31km/h for safety reasons. It is a very mobile tank even at 60t
With conversion, there are numerous small changes to the tank depending on the time of the conversion. There are 3 generations of the sideskirts used, 1st generation found on most of the 2A0-A4, 2nd generation light skirt from 8th batch 2A4s and "D-Tech" skirt designed for 2A5s.
Well, what are the numbers for the tank conversion?
225 2A5s were converted for Bundeswehr, with first combat receiving them being PzBtl33 starting 1995. Additional batch of 125 was also ordered from many 2A4 early batches however to save funds they were directly equiped with L55
225 2A5s were converted for Bundeswehr, with first combat receiving them being PzBtl33 starting 1995. Additional batch of 125 was also ordered from many 2A4 early batches however to save funds they were directly equiped with L55
making them into Leo 2A6.
Another user of the Manheim config Leo 2A5 was Netherlands. They did convert 180 out of 330 planned 2A4s into Leo 2A5NL, starting mid 1996.
In total, 405 Leo 2A5s were made.
Another user of the Manheim config Leo 2A5 was Netherlands. They did convert 180 out of 330 planned 2A4s into Leo 2A5NL, starting mid 1996.
In total, 405 Leo 2A5s were made.
One of the planned tank improvements that didn't make it in time was improved anti-mine protection. This was a result of fielding this tank in Kosovo under KFOR, as underbody protection was found to be way too low.
Well then, that's gonna be about all for this thread. If any of you have any questions about this tank or other stuff, feel free to ask them in replies, its getting hard to answer all of them sometimes, but trust me, I am really trying.
Many of the pictures used in this thread come from "Gesamtwerk Leopard 2" by Frank Lobitz
and
"Leopard 2/2A5" by Walter Bohm.
and
"Leopard 2/2A5" by Walter Bohm.
Its a Renk HSWL 354, not 295. Thanks @AntoniWalkowski for pointing my (really dumb) error out.
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