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Hi guys. :)
Today i want to Suggest the latest Prototype coming out of the factory at Rheinmetall. The KF51.
Background.
On June 13 2022 Rheinmetall officially presented their latest tank at the Eurosatory 2022 show. I bring a new Turret on a heavily modified Leopard 2A4 hull chassis. With the latest gun being the Rh-130 L/51 130mm Cannon.
Due to this being a new Prototype. Not much is known about the KF51. The tank showcases it’s abillity to uprade old Leopard 2 hulls from the ground up to the very latest standards of Main Battle Tanks. The tank has a new Turret able to carry the 130 mm L/51 is showcased to be loaded by an autoloader. However the amount of Crew is still 4 with a Driver, Gunner, Comander and a Drone/Radio operator.
The Armor is completly classified. But from my guesstimation. It seems to be a significant uprade to the Current Leopard 2A7 currently in service with the German military. Using what appears to be Composite Side skirts and Turret cheecks simular to the Leopard 2A4 Revolution.
After the showcase. It is believed to be one of the main contenders for Germany’s next tank acquisition alongside the Franco/German EMBT program.
One of the main interresting features of this tank is it’s abilities is it’s Drone launcher on top of the Turret. It is able to use to both for reconnaissance and kamakazi strikes simular to the US Switchblades.
Armor speculation.
While the both the Armor layout and NERA elements of the turret is currently unknown. The best speculation that could be brought for the turret is that it would most likely be better than the Leopard 2A7 variants. And guessing from the pictures I would argue that the turret front is aprotimatly 1000mm of RHA and the turret sides being diffirent. And there is also the possibility that the turret are using armored screens like the ingame Leopard 2A5 both in the Front and Side turret.
As for the main hull armor. It is believed to be identical to the standard Leopard 2A4.
Hero-120 Loitering munitions
TAPS - Top Attack Protection System - Roof APS
Cameras and sensors overview
Rear Autoloaders without the Hero-120 Drone launchers
specifications.
In War Thunder
In War Thunder i believe this tank could be perfect for an end of the line German Ground Tree Vehicle. When we eventually get to the most modern vehicles currently in service. And i guess this would be a great vehicle at a future BR of over 12.0.
Endnote
Hope you like the Suggestion. And if i made any errors please feel free to respond. And i will see you in Battle.
Sources
Rheinmetall – Panther KF51 main battle tank (rheinmetall-defence.com)
Weltpremiere des mittleren Kampfpanzers KF51 Panther (esut.de)
Rheinmetall Debuts KF51 Panther Main Battle Tank At Eurosatory 2022 - MilitaryLeak
KF51 Panther – Rheinmetall stellt Kampfpanzer mit 130-mm-Kanone vor | STERN.de
Rheinmetall releases Panther KF51 Main Battle Tank - YouTube
“Old Suggestion”
KF51 Panther - Germany - War Thunder - Official Forum