- Yes
- No
History and introduction
The Leopard 2A4 Evolution, is an upgraded main battle tank, the package of which was developed by the German company IBD (Ingenieurbüro Deisenroth) as an export protection enhancement package for the Leopard 2A4 series. The primary enhancement focused on improving the tank’s protection through a combination of new active and passive defense systems by using spaced and composite armour plates and blocks around the hull and turret frontal arcs. Its passive protection was notably strengthened at the front and sides, and additional shielding was added beneath the turret to guard against explosive devices, as well as on the roof to counter impact penetrator based threats.
The MBT first saw media attention between 2007 and 2008. Some sources mistakenly confuse the newer Rheinmetall Revolution with the older Evolution, which is no longer being promoted. In 2007, IBD Deisenroth partnered with Rheinmetall to form Rheinmetall Chempro GmbH, a joint venture based in Bonn for producing advanced protection systems (AMAP). This system is widespread across many armoured fighting vehicles such as the Lynx and boxer series of vehicles, it has proven its capabilities in testing against chemical and even kinetic threats.
Firepower
Fire system isn’t changed from times of leopard 2a4, so it is all known smoothbore gun RH-120 L/44
DM-63/A1 (post penetration incendiary effect)
DM-53/A1 (post penetration incendiary effect)
DM-43
DM-33
RH-31
Protection
AMAP-ADS wasn’t integrated into Leopard 2a4 evolution in the moment of creation.
AMAP-B
AMAP-B is a high-technology composite specially adapted to protect against ballistic and Kinetic Energy penetrators and Armor Piercing rounds. STANAG 4569 compliant, its effectivness can be increased from Level 1 to 5 and can withstand multiple hits from AP rounds as well as absorbing the impact energy of the round.
AMAP-IED
AMAP-IED (Improvised Explosive Devices) protection uses a combinations of highly developed ceramic faced armour, energy absorbing mine protection and liner technologies, resulting in a flexible and modular IED protection solution against extreme threats.
AMAP-M
AMAP-M uses a special advanced composite material that prevents both the vehicle being catapulted upwards and the resulting force exerted on the crew when a mine is detonanted underneath the vehicle and prevents fragments penetrating the belly.
AMAP-SC
AMAP-SC is a composite armor designed to specifically protect against shape charged projectiles, specifically RPG-7 and Explosively Formed Projectiles (EFPs).
AMAP-R
IBD has succeeded in developing an ultralight bomblet roof protection system. In order to protect vehicles reliably from bomblets and EFPs, the ultralight layer of AMAP-R is completed by a high-performance EFP-layer (level 2). This double-functional sandwich construction produces an areal density of appr. 120 kg/m².
AMAP-L
AMAP-L is an extremely high-grade intelligent spald Liner made of composite fibre materials used to Line the inside of the tank. AMAP-L acts as an inner protection system in the event that the outer armor is penetrated by projectiles to protect the crew from fragments. AMAP-L also contributes to a reduction of noise, vibrations and IR-signature.
Mobility
Engine: MTU Mb 873 ka 501, turbocharged 1500hp Diesel
Transmission: RENK HSWL 354, 4 speed forward/2 reverse
Top Speed: 68 km/h
Weight: 55.1+ t.
P/W: 27.2 hp/t
Suspension: Torsion bar
