- Yes
- No
Feline Hunter
Suggestion and research done in collaboration with @NER055
History and introduction
The German armoured combat vehicle Lynx was created by Rheinmetall Landsysteme, a branch of Rheinmetall that specialises in vehicle systems. On June 12, 2018, the KF41 version was presented at the Eurosatory defence exhibition.
The first idea sprang from Rheinmetall’s demand for a cutting-edge and potent infantry fighting vehicle for export. Infantry support, protection, and transportation are the main priorities, with anti-armour roles coming in second.
Rheinmetall claims that the use of contemporary technology and interconnected subsystems will pave the path for the advent of computerised and digital warfare.
Ensuring an unmanned turret, 360-degree camera monitoring, and enough armour protection for the crew and infantry carry compartments were the primary objectives.
It was necessary for the gun to have adequate anti-armor and anti-aircraft capabilities when using either conventional or programmable air burst ammunition at off angles.
The modularity of the Lynx distinguishes it from the other German cat, the PUMA IFV. The Lynx can be modified in any way the buyer desires, ranging from an IFV to a light MBT to an engineering/support vehicle to an ambulance.
Primary Armament
Unlike the Kf-41 Lynx we have in game for Hungary, the Lynx tech demonstrator Kf-41 prototype was equipped with the Wotan 35mm autocannon, giving it a considerable boost in performance over its 30mm equipped counterparts.
This is an externally driven, belt feeding gun system using 35x228 ammunition. Rate of fire is the same as the Mk-30ABM at 200 rounds per minute and it has a dual-feed system for near instant ammo switching.
It is capable of using a wide variety of ammunition
- 35mm HEI (DM11A1)
- 35mm AP (DM13)
- 35mm AHEAD (PDM 062)
- 35mm FAPDS (DM33)
- 35mm HEI (DM31)
- 35mm APDS (DM23)
- 35mm APFSDS
complete round weight: 1550g
ABM complete round weight: 1770g
full calibre projectile weight: 550g
ABM full calibre projectile weight: 750g
full-calibre muzzle velocity: 1,100m/s
sub-calibre muzzle velocity: 1,400m/s
Secondary Armament
4 x Spike LR/ER Missiles (two on each side)
Co-axial armament
An interesting little secondary weapon is the machine gun.
RMG 7.62
Ammunition: 7.62 x 51mm
As can be seen, it fires 7.62mm ammunition out of a three barrel belt feeding design. While it may look like a rotary machine gun it is in fact a barrel cooling focused design. The gun can keep firing for long periods because once one barrel overheats it rotates and brings in the cooler second barrel and then the third by which time the first has already cooled off. Theoretically this gives it an infinite firing time and coupled with the moderate fire rate of ~800 rounds per minute (which is adjustable by the user)(350 ±50 – 750 ±50 rounds per minute), this would be an interesting feature.
Turret
The Lynx prototype uses the Rheinmetall Lance 2.0 unmanned modular turret system which can be adjusted to a wide variety of configurations and even made unmanned as it is here in the Lynx prototype.
With the Wotan 35mm autocannon only the unmanned configuration can be used.
The commander has access to CITV and can take control of the gun from his own station as well as lock targets with the Spike LR2 ATGMs for increased killing capability.
Hull
The hull is provided with 360 12.7mm protection as well as up to 30mm APFSDS protection (UFP only) with the NERA armour package (rated STANAG 4569 level 5+) as well as having AMAP armour
The hull is also equipped with a spall liner, protecting its crew of 3 as stated in the Rheinmetall Kf-41 brochure.
In its form, the IFV KF41 differs in its rather large size and remarkable mass. The length of this vehicle is defined in 7,73 m, width - 3,6 m, height (on the roof of the tower type Lance 2.0) - 3.3 m. The mass of the empty machine is 41 t, which is reflected in its name. Combat weight with crew, assault force, fuel and ammunition reaches 44-45 t.
Prototype version was implemented with the MCU package which allow it a protection level - STANAG 4569 level 5+ with AMAP armour as well.
Trials
The Lynx prototype was initially trialled in Germany and a variant of it with stripped down weaponry was also trialled in Hungary.
Lynx reveal
Lynx 30 proto testing in Hungary
Mobility
Engine: Leibherr deisel engine (18-litre)(1,140hp)
Transmission: Renk HSWL 256
Top Speed: 70kmph
Weight: 46t
Torque: 5411Nm
P/W: 24.78hp/t
Suspension: Torsion bar
Extra info
As can be seen in the “visual references section”, the Lynx prototype has Spike Launchers on both sides of the turret, allowing it to fire all four missiles in a short amount of time AND have a reload of another 4 from the hull.
It can also be mounted with a 12.7mm RCWS (also shown in “visual references section”). I believe this should be a modification as this would needlessly raise the overall height of the vehicle.
Even more info (sights, RCWS, Ammunition etc)
Ammunition 35mm New concept of aerial and ground targets
Oerlikon ammunition for 35 mm
Ahead air burst technology
Photo of Lynx prototype with rcws
There version was showed in DSEI 2023:
Turret,chassis and other
Videos and other sources
Both sides Spike launchers for prototype:
Sources
text list
Rheinmetall’s new IFV, the Lynx". rheinmetall-defence.com. 14 June 2016. Archived from the original on 18 June 2016.
“KF31 Lynx Rheinmetall IFV tracked Infantry Fighting Vehicle”. 22 October 2022.
“Eurosatory 2018: Rheinmetall unveils Lynx KF41 IFV | IHS Jane’s”. www.janes.com. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
Chuter, Andrew (14 June 2016). “Rheinmetall’s Lynx Infantry Vehicle Targets Australian Market”. Defense News. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
“Lynx on the hunt”. IHS Jane’s 360. 15 June 2016. Archived from the original on 16 June 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
“Rheinmetall at Eurosatory (2018)”. www.forecastinternational.com. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
“NATO member Hungary orders 218 Lynx infantry fighting vehicles from Rheinmetall worth more than €2 billion”. www.rheinmetall.com. 10 September 2020. Archived from the original on 11 September 2020. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
“Janes AFVs March 2022 updates”. www.janes.com. 9 March 2022. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
“Lynx (Jane’s AFVs 2019-2020)”. IHS Jane’s. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
“Lynx (Jan 2018)”. www.janes.com. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
“Lynx Infantry Fighting Vehicle” (PDF). Defense Technology Review Magazine. 14 June 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
“Rheinmetall undiscloses the Lynx Light Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle at Eurosatory 2016”. www.armyrecognition.com. 14 June 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
“Rheinmetall Defence – Lynx”. Rheinmetall Defence.
“Lance 35”. www.deagel.com. Archived from the original on 4 February 2020.
“Rheinmetall intros new Lynx infantry fighting vehicle”. UPI. 14 June 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
“KF41 Lynx IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicle tracked armored data | Germany German army light armoured vehicle UK | Germany German army military equipment UK”. Army Recognition. 9 May 2023.
Neville, Leigh (1 December 2020). “First KF41 Lynx in Australian Colours”. Overt Defense.
https://www.rheinmetall.com/Rheinmetall%20Group/Presse/News/Documents/2024/06/Presskit/en/2024-06-17%20Rheinmetall%20Lynx%20Family%20en%20Eurosatory%202024_final.pdf
“Rheinmetall’s Lynx Infantry Vehicle Targets Australian Market”. Janes. 20 August 2020. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
Komuves, Anita; Zieminski, Nick (17 August 2020). “Hungary’s government and Rheinmetall to produce armored fighting vehicles in Hungary”. Reuters. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
“218 harckocsit vesz a Magyar Honvédség”. 24.hu (in Hungarian). 9 September 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
Reichl, Jiří (2 September 2020). “Šéf Rheinmettalu: Pokud někdo chce shodit tendr za 52 miliard na rozsahu hlavní zbraně, je to absurdní”. Ekonomický Deník (in Czech). Retrieved 9 September 2020.
“Minutes of the Defence Committee of the Parlament of Hungary, 8th of June, 2021” (PDF).
“radio broadcast in Hungarian: Spirit FM Bázis-ugrás - 2022.01.26”.
“Rheinmetall hands over first Lynx infantry fighting vehicle to NATO member Hungary”. Rheinmetall. 17 October 2022. Archived from the original on 18 October 2022.
TheDefensePost. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
“Hungary receives first serial KF41 Lynx infantry fighting vehicles and Buffalo armoured recovery vehicles”. 15 October 2022.
“Milestone for the Lynx - Rheinmetall launches production of new infantry fighting vehicle in Hungary”. Rheinmetall. 12 January 2023. Archived from the original on 12 January 2023.
“ΑΠΟΚΛΕΙΣΤΙΚΟ: Η Ελλάδα συζητά για 200 Lynx μαζί με γραμμή παραγωγής και 100% γερμανική χρηματοδότηση”. www.ptisidiastima.com (in Greek). 24 April 2022.
“Greece agrees procurement of 205 KF41 lynx IFVs and 123 upgraded Leopard 2A4 tanks”. Army Recognition. 13 February 2023.
Rheinmetall concludes agreement with Leonardo in italia | Rheinmetall
Judson, Jen (8 October 2018). “Raytheon, Rheinmetall partner to offer new Lynx fighting vehicle to US Army”. Defense News. Washington
Turret Systems | Rheinmetall
The “lynx” is bigger in size. BMP Rheinmetall Lynx KF41
- Rheinmetall website
- Oerlikon New Ammunition (30/35mm) for Vehicle Armament - презентация онлайн
- cartrology.com | Cartridge Details: 35 x 228mm Oerlikon HE DM11 Netherlands
- Eurosatory: Rheinmetall reveals Lynx IFV (video) | Shephard
- Rheinmetall reveals renderings of OMFV Lynx – Below The Turret Ring
- 7.62mm MG3 + Two More Barrels + Motor = Rheinmetall Defence RMG 7.62 | thefirearmblog.com
- RMG 7.62 PDF
- Turret Systems | Rheinmetall
- The “lynx” is bigger in size. BMP Rheinmetall Lynx KF41
- https://www.rheinmetall.com/Rheinmetall%20Group/brochure-download/Vehicle-Systems/B260e0518-LYNX-KF41.pdf
- LYNX: Rheinmetall & Raytheon Team Up For NGCV, Address Army Weight Concerns - Breaking Defense
https://youtu.be/bXOqqkUL7wg?si=_ARy4-3hL5_HHDxK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-oXab7b-a0/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7dBv14L8FQ/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJQoukFKVa4/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zS2k_rZxqM/
https://youtu.be/yeQos_QZjqM?si=5Cc5DWeYRmuUeFiX
For the Devs
Here is the ready made 3D model.
