- Yes
- No
History and introduction
The Leopard 2A6EX DEMO II, was the second privately funded demonstrator by KMW which aimed to experiment with new armour packages as well as mobility upgrades for the leopard 2 series. The DEMO II was basically the same tank as the DEMO I, with an unchanged turret but incorporated the MTU-883 and RENK HSWL 295 which is more commonly known as the “EURO POWER PACK” in the hull.
The upgrade to the Euro power pack was seen as the next step towards combat capability improvement by KMW. In doing so they found space to move the hydraulic equipment from inside the crew compartment into the engine compartment. They also managed to reduce the infrared and audio emissions of the vehicle by the redesigned hull engine bay. The project stems from the Leopard TVM MAX project and inherits many of the features from there including but not limited to improved hull armour (D-tech) and add on MEXAS armour packages.
This was to be the, then, next step in the leopard 2s life cycle, however the cost of the modifications to the hull and the entire chain having to be updated caused this project to not prove very affordable nor very attractive to potential customers internationally.
Firepower
The Leopard 2A6EX is equipped with the 120mm smoothbore L55 cannon which can utilise a variety of ammunition.
Ammunition
DM-12A1
DM-63/A1 (post penetration incendiary effect)
DM-53/A1 (post penetration incendiary effect)
DM-43
DM-33
RH-31
Protection
Protection of this Leopard is pretty similar to the STRV-122 series as uses it same the Mexas-H protection package all around. It is based on Leopard TVM MAX chassis.
The upgrades include:
- Turret roof reinforced by additional armour
- Additional armour composite on upper front plate
- Commanders independent panoramic sight is given additional protection
- The hull engine bay had to be modified to accommodate the new engine which has different dimensions as compared to the 873, this is already seen in the in game Leopard 2(A5) PSO (which uses the hull of the 2A6EX DEMO II)
Mobility
Engine: MTU MT 883 V-block 12-cylinder liquid-cooled diesel engine
Power: 1630 hp
Transmission: RENK HTWL 295TM, 5 speed forward/5 reverse
Top Speed: 68 km/h
Weight: 62.5 t
Power to weight: 26.08 hp/t
Suspension: Torsion bar
Visual comparison between MT-873 and MT-883
MTU MT-873
MTU MT-883
Sources
- Gesamtwerk Leopard 2
- Waffensysteme Leopard 1 und Leopard 2
- Leopard 2 sein Werden und seine Leistung
- Leopard 2A6 Tank | 3rd Generation German Main Battle Tank (fighting-vehicles.com)
- Отличия танков Леопард-2
- https://topwar.ru/106089-nemeckiy-osnovnoy-boevoy-tank-leopard-2-etapy-razvitiyachast-9.html
- https://www.reddit.com/r/TankPorn/comments/qlav0g/leopard_2a6ex_demo_ii_with_the_mtu_883_and_renk/
- x.com
