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Since around 1983 the German Bundeswehr had thought seriously about exploiting the third Dimension in the form of an elevated Combat Platform armed with Anti-tank guided Missiles (ATGM) to defend against enemy tanks and helicopters. This concept would become known as „Jagdpanzer PANTHER“. This Design by Krauss-Maffei however was created prior to the official Panther program and intended for Export.
History
Spoiler
The contemplations of the German Heer led to the Industries to explore and present the technical challenges and tactical advantages pragmatically. In the prospect of export opportunities and taking economic factors into account, the „Elevierbare Kampfplattform“ (Elevatable Combat Platform) „EPLA“ was created.
Armed with guided Missiles „HOT“, it was the first concept of ist kind capable of shooting. During trials, five HOT ATGM were fired from the elevated Platform at 12.5 meters and hit their targets. Developed in late 1984 and early 1985, Krauss-Maffei added their own idea to the test results of the Giraffe Tank prototypes VT PLF 1 (SPH Chassis) and VT PLF 2 (Marder Chassis), but their novel approach is noteworthy. They chose a category IA1 15t 8x8 MAN Truck, because the initial procurement, development and operational costs of the wheeled chassis proved to be more cost effective. The same Chassis was also used for the German ROLAND and PATRIOT systems.
For the EPLA System the MAN Truck was fitted with a stable base frame designed to fit other, similar vehicles, to bear the mast, combat platform, supply unit and ammunition magazines. The base frame is attached to the Truck chassis by 10 quick-action bent-lever fasteners. MBB/Euromissile provided the HOT weapon system. In early July 1987 a technical and tactical demonstration was conducted for the German Ministry of Defense and the Federal Armed Forces in Munich. Later that month firing tests were performed in Meppen at Test Center 91, launching a total of 5 HOT Missiles at both stationary and moving targets. All hit their target, a success rate of 100%.
The weapons Platform
Spoiler
Mounted on the base frame are two stowage boxes containing control units, batteries and the separate electronics unit for the elevating system. And two Containers that hold 6 Missiles each. Attached on either side of the base frame are two loading ramps to provide ballistic protection in the folded configuration. Attached to the rear end of the base frame is the bottom fork of the lower mast section. The fork carries a Sensor to measure the extension height of the four-joint mast. A hoisting unit employs two cylinders to extend and fold the mast. Connecting rods move the upper mast section as a parallelogram function of the movement of the lower section. All cables/wires to the elevating platform run through the connecting rods and along the upper mast section, shielded from shrapnel. The firing Platform itself is suspended from the upper mast fork. This combat/firing platform is kept horizontal by a levelling device with an autonomous hydraulic supply system, Independent from the master Position and vehicle tilt.
The Platform is equipped with:
• Central computing unit, sight and weapon controls
• Slewing mechanism and servo Motor for 360 degree traverse
• NBC Protection Ventilation
• Cooling System
• Mast controls
• One gunner or Commander
• Three HOT Missile tubes on either side with adjustable Elevation
• Three telescopes from the Leopard 1
• A vertical periscope
• An APX stabilized daysight and detection system
• A MIRA Thermal imager + aiming sight connected to the APX
• A PISA wide-angle NVD connected to the APX
• An OPPE optronic panoramic surveillance telescope
Both the weapon system and platform are protected from 7.62mm rounds and 155mm Artillery shrapnel at 10m range. MBB had developed a thermal cover to reduce the IR and Radar signature of the EPLA System.
Specifications
The Elevating Combat Platform — Technical Data
| Specification | Value |
| Length | 10.39 m |
| Max. height of line of sight | 12.37 m |
| Height in travelling order | 3.45 m |
| Weight empty | 14,800 kg |
| Weight of combat platform | 2,700 kg |
| Weight of elevation system and other mounted equipment | 8,500 kg |
| Total weight | 26,000 kg |
| License weight | 30,000 kg |
| Top speed | 85 km/h |
| Vertical slope | 50% |
| Range (on-road travel) | about 800 km |
| Missile supply | 12 + 6 |
Gallery
Bibliography
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EPLA elevating combat platform~a Krauss-Maffei, MAN and MBB private venture. Wolfgang Flume, lllus tab Mil Tech 12:72-73+ Mar ‚88
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AIR UNIVERSITY LIBRARY INDEX TO MILITARY PERIODICALS CUMULATIVE ISSUE JANUARY DECEMBER 1988 VOLUME 39 NUMBER 4 | https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA420732.pdf
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Russian soldiers revive outdated Cold War-era Giraffe vehicle in Ukraine
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Magazine: Elevierbare Kampfplattform EPLA. In: Wehrtechnik, 1/88, S. 52-54
Spoiler
- Magazine: Internationale Wehrrevue, 1/79, S. 32
If you have more EPLA Files, like scans of the Magazines or their relevant pages, please publish them.
