Leopard 2A4 SVT: New Fangs

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Leopard 2 SVT

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The 2A4’s new fangs

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History and introduction

Soon after the Leopard 2 entered its first service in the german bundeswehr, military analysts realised that, as with every era in history, the race and development of new and better weaponry cannot be stopped or slowed down. Hence began the KWS (Kampfwertsteigerung) program. In essense, it became a three stage program:

  • KWS I: Similar to the ICE upgrade for the phantom, this stage focused on improving the offensive capability of the MBT, the L44 was replaced with an L55 and new, more powerful ammunition was trialled for induction into service.
  • KWS II: This stage focused on survivability enhancement, the armour packages seen on the leopard 2A5 and onwards were a result of the KWS II.
  • KWS III: This stage was perhaps the most impressive, aiming to utilise the new rheinmetall 140mm cannon, a new turret with autoloader for the 140mm shells, and a command and control system that was to be integrated into the MBT.

The above mentioned order of the KWS program does not necessarily reflect how it took place in real life, it is especially visible seeing as the L55 cannon was already undergoing user, firing and recoil test trials before the armour was developed. Also why we see the 2A5 coming into service without the L55 and the new cannon only being integrated at the 2A6 standard (Bundeswehr was a mess).

The new L55 was a decent upgrade over the older L44, as such, it also presented problems that needed to be resolved. The designers had to utilise stronger recoil absorption mechanisms as well as a tuned up gun stabiliser system to handle the changed balance and weight distribution of the new barrel.

For the trials of the new cannon complex, a leopard 2A4 as utilised as a Schießversuchträger. In english, a “Firing trials vehicle”. This allowed them to test and adust the new gun and ensure it was ready for induction into the new batches of leopard 2s.

The Leopard 2A4 SVT or Leopard 2SVT for short, was seen mounted with weight simulator plates on the upper front plate of the hull as well as the frontal arc of the turret. This was because the new 2A5 standard armour package by IBD Deisenroth engineering was under development at the time. This logically can be used to deduce that the weight of the armour on a 2A5 added onto a leopard 2A4 with these weight simulators would give us a decently accurate estimate of the SVTs final mass.

A main reason for developing the new gun was the limitation of the older ammunition in tandem with the cannon. It could not keep up with the developing requirements. Hence, the new round developed under the LKE I program, designated “DM43” was chosen to not be adopted into service with the Bundeswehr. The French had other plans (foreshadowing OFL 120FA) but thats a story for another time. Fun bit of info, apparently the chinese even started marketing an unlicensed copy of the DM43.
Hence, with the new longer gun, a new phase, LKE II was begun to develop what became the legendary DM53 round.

Leopard 2SVT in War Thunder

I beleive this vehicle can greately complement the German tech tree around the 10.7-11.0 BR bracket. It should be implemented with the add on weight simulator as it could provide some rudimentary protection (being solid blocks of steel), but it should also be removable, a modification in that sense.

When it comes to ammunition, the vehicle, being an experimental one, should have access to DM33, DM43 (because neither 43 or 53 were adopted or denied yet) and possibly DM53 (although this may be overkill and personally DM43 is fine enough)(Plus this could finally give Germany a domestic MBT with its DOMESTIC DM43).

Technical specifications

— Mobility —

Maximum Speed: 68kmph forwards, 31kmph reverse
Weight: 57-58t (Leo 2A4 standard + 2A5 standard applique)
Engine power: 1500hp
Power/weight: 25.86hp/t
Transmission: Renk HSWL 354
Suspension: Torsion Bar

—Weaponry—

Primary Armament: 120mm L55 cannon
Vertical traverse: -9/+20° (Rate = 40°/s)
Horizontal traverse: 360° (Rate = 40°/s)
Co-Axial: 7.62mm MG (4600 rounds)

—Sensors—

Gunner sight: 4x to 12x zoom
Commander sight: 2x to 8x zoom
NVD: Yes
TVD: Yes

Visuals

REQUESTED (i cant find any other images bruh)

Sources
Would you like to see the Leopard 2SVT in game?
  • Yes
  • No
0 voters
Which BR should it occupy?
  • 10.7
  • 11.0
  • I voted no
0 voters
What ammunition should it get
  • DM-33
  • DM-43
  • DM-53
  • I voted no
0 voters
5 Likes
2

+1, unique Leopard 2A4 that can help the 11.0 “lineup”!