Meet the main reward in the Fast and Dangerous event, the R400 wheeled combat vehicle with a 105 mm gun!
R400: An Event Vehicle Light Tank for Germany at Rank VI
At a glance:
- High top speed
- 105 mm gun with APFSDS, HESH and HEAT rounds
- Wheeled chassis
- Light armor
- Thermal sight
Vehicle History
In the early 1980s, Germany company Thyssen-Henschel began developing a family of wheeled armored vehicles: the TH200 (4×4), TH400 (6×6), and TH800 (8×8). Of the three vehicles, only the R400 reached the stage of a functioning prototype, which was built in 1986. This vehicle was equipped with a diesel engine, independent suspension and a centralized tire pressure adjustment system, ensuring high cross-country capability.
The TH400 prototype was built as a fire support vehicle with a three-crew turret armed with a 105 mm rifled gun, capable of firing all standard NATO ammunition for that caliber. Among the prospective variants considered were anti-tank missile systems, anti-aircraft systems, and even a 120 mm tank gun.
After Thyssen-Henschel was acquired by Rheinmetall, the vehicle was renamed to R400, but the prototype never entered serial production. The only surviving prototype became an exhibit of the Dutch History Survives Foundation. The original turret with the 105 mm gun was lost, and a turret from a Leopard 1A5 was installed on the vehicle to make it a complete display.
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Introducing the R400!
The main reward for the Fast and Dangerous ground vehicle event is the R400 armored fighting vehicle, built on a 6x6 wheeled chassis. This new reconnaissance vehicle is equipped with an accurate and rapid-firing 105 mm L7 gun and a wide selection of available ammunition for all combat situations. Let’s take a closer look!
The R400 prototype was equipped with the same main gun as the famous German Leopard 1 MBT, the 105 mm L7, along with a laser rangefinder, stabilizer and thermal vision device. In terms of ammunition, this gun can fire HESH, HEAT and two types of APFSDS rounds, the earlier DM23 and more advanced DM33 with a maximum penetration of around 420 mm. The fast rate of fire and high muzzle velocity of the 105 mm gun allows it to be successfully used in both close-quarters urban combat and long distance engagements.
As for mobility, the R400 features a wheeled three-axle chassis with an independent suspension and a diesel engine that accelerates this light tank to an excellent speed on paved roads. As you may expect, this effective mobility does mean the armor protection is severely limited, as the R400 can only withstand machine gun bullets and not much more.
That’s it for this dev blog! The R400 can be obtained during the Fast and Dangerous ground vehicle event that started today. You’ll find it in the German ground forces tree where it will be a neat addition to rank V-VI lineups, supporting the overall concept of focusing on high mobility and high damage rather than armor and defensive gameplay.
Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.
