This tank may look like a normal Leopard 2A5 but it is, in fact, sporting a different armour package, presumably from IBD, as well as the MUSS APS. Now there is not much known about the package itself, except the following:
This vehicle may have been a converted leopard 2A4 as is seen from the right turret cheek where there is a cut-out for the classic 2A4 gunner sight. (Also due to the gunner sight missing on the top of the turret). I’ve also noticed that it does not come equipped with gun mantlet armour. So that and the gunner sight are weak spots for the tank.
Now as we can see this supposed Leopard 2A4 has gone through a number of upgrades:
- Turret armour package
- MUSS soft kill active protection system
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- IR dazzler system
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- Laser warning/Missile approach warning receivers
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- MUSS special smoke grenade launchers
- Commander sight upgraded to the PERI sight
- Smoke grenade count (excluding MUSS grenades) increased to 12 per side, 24 total (excluding MUSS grenades)
The tank is one of the ‘active leopards’ as I like to call them. These were the original and first leopards prototyped with active protection systems. Whether softkill, in case of the MUSS, or hardkill, in case of the AWiSS.
This was a trials prototype made using technologies by EADS (sensors, central computer and ECM) and KMW (system integration), Buk (pyrotechnic countermeasures) and possibly IBD. The MUSS system integration demonstrator was assembled/modified in 2003. The ongoing development of the prototype was carried out within the framework of a technology assessment by the Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB).
During the test phase, the MUSS system was installed on a Leopard 2 tank and successfully defeated many of the various missile threats that were shot at it.
The system is can jam most non-IRCCM missiles and automatically hides the tank behind a multi-spectral cloud of smoke by firing special smoke grenade dischargers if the missile is not defeat-able by the MUSS IRCM.
Description of the MUSS active protection system
MUSS consists of three key components:
(1) Warning sensors using the EADS MILDS missile strike warning ultraviolet sensor and laser detector that identify incoming missiles or laser beams directed at the target vehicle and transmit this information to…
(2) The central computer of the MUSS system. And subsequently
(3) Electronic or pyrotechnic countermeasures are activated to neutralize and confuse the threat, significantly reducing the likelihood of a successful hit.
Operation of the MUSS APS
Depending on the application, MUSS weighs between 60-160kg. Using a combination of 4 sensors, each covering 95°x70° around the vehicle these sensors detect IR/ultraviolet signatures of incoming missiles and/or laser rangefinders. When a threat is detected up to around 3km, the system either decoys the threat via the MUSS IRCM or by directing one of the movable smoke grenade launchers to the direction of the threat and creating a smoke screen.
Additional information
The MUSS warning system is based on a UV/IR missile warning sensor and a laser warning sensor housed in a unit together. This allows easier integration into the turret. The missile warning system detects a variety of anti-tank missiles, including SACLOS, FnF and beam-riding and even unguided RPGs. Since it is based on the MILDS operational MAWS , (originally developed for helicopters and aircraft) MUSS has been able to prove its effectiveness against a variety of threats in extensive trials, including on the Leopard 2 MBT.
The German Bundeswehr already use the MUSS to in the self-defence suite of the Puma IFV.
Technical Specifications
— Mobility —
Maximum Speed: 68kmph forwards, 31kmph reverse
Weight: 57-58t (Leo 2A4 standard + 160kg (MUSS) + ~200-500kg (applique))
Engine power: 1500hp
Power/weight: 25.86hp/t
Transmission: Renk HSWL 354
Suspension: Torsion Bar
Primary Armament: 120mm cannon (42 rounds, 15 rounds First order)
Vertical traverse: -9/+20° (Rate = 40°/s)
Horizontal traverse: 360° (Rate = 40°/s)
Co-Axial: 7.62mm MG (4600 rounds)
Increase to total height: ~750mm?
Gunner sight: 4x to 12x zoom
Commander sight: 2x to 8x zoom
NVD: Yes
TVD: Yes?
Active protection system: Yes (Soft-kill)
APS (Countermeasure) charges: 4 left, 4 right (reloads may be carried in hull storage)
Maximum threat detection distance: 3km
Standard engagement distance: 3km (distance at which the Soft kill APS engages the threat) (If MUSS cannot softkill the threat, it launches smoke to hide the vehicle)
System reaction time: Unknown
Launcher traverse rate: Unknown
Countermeasure: MUSS™ Multi-spectral Smoke grenade
Counterable Threats: ATGMs, AGMs
Extra info here
In fact, MUSS and AWiSS are even more related than previously known:
Sources
- EADS
From Janes Armour and Artillery 2005-6
Defense-update
Army-guide
- Army Guide
- Army Guide
- Army Guide - Ðàáîòû ïî MUSS äëÿ ÁÌÏ Puma
- Army Guide (russian one has more info)
- Army Guide
- Army Guide - Ðàáîòû ïî MUSS äëÿ ÁÌÏ Puma
below the turret ring
- Active protection systems APS
- Системы активной защиты зарубежной бронетанковой техники
- Leopard 2 Tank Developments | Page 3 | Secret Projects Forum
- leopard 2 - NamuWiki
- https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA474267.pdf
- https://asiapacificdefencereporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/APDR_June_2021_New.pdf
- https://dam.hensoldt.net/m/754c9b4283b6fa28/original/MUSS-Datasheet-English.pdf
- Multifunction Self Protection System (MUSS)
- https://btvtinfo.blogspot.com/2020/10/blog-post_29.htmlhttps://btvtinfo.blogspot.com/2020/10/blog-post_29.html
- Yes
- No