The layout of the hatches and optics make me wonder if it’s still the same CR2 shell but without all the extra roof plates? You can see that the loader has a “cupola” on the turret shell that’s obscured by additional plates on the completed CR2
You say that but all the optics are in the same place as the TD, the commander’s cupola seems to retain the cutout for the old CPS, the hook attachment points over the mantlet are still there too, the mantlet area is largely unchanged as well, and as I mentioned the loader’s cupola and sight are what we’d see if the CR2 had the additional roof plates removed…
the TD still has a CR2 turret. its a tech demonstrator and they wouldnt make a new turret just for that. this one in the photos above is a different story. even the trunnion will be different. this being a l55 and since its a rheinmetall its normal they would do it similar (or better) than the leopard 2
I’ve already pointed out how the one in the photos above has a lot of commonality with the TD and therefore CR2 as well. It could be that it’s the TD dressed up differently, or if it is a new turret then that means the CR3 turret shell hasn’t been (significantly) redesigned from CR2
there would be no need for redesign. for example the turret roof is not sloped in the front. and we cant see it but even the front turret cheeks seem to have less slope
“What we do for a prototype is take a bare chassis and trade about 50 percent of the LRU’s (Line Replaceable Units) … and everything else, except the turret ring, is brand new,” said Breen.
Thanks for explaining why I’m right ig? don’t forget that (at least going by WT’s model) TD also has a slightly different cheek slope to CR2, and the 130mm demonstrator that also uses the TD turret has an entirely different design for the cheeks
lets not forget that gap of air in the cr2 is needed for the togs. that wont be required for the cr3 BUT would spaced armour be needed?
also its very strange but my ocd tells me if the gun was aimed down the breech wouldnt be faced with the turret cheecks. its triggering the f. out of me. i cant make sense of it.
This prototype, along with further prototypes to follow close behind, will soon show their capabilities on trials. “further prototypes to follow close behind”