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Made in collaboration with @NER055
History and introduction
The Kf-41 lynx Platform is a well known platform in military circles for being one of the latest and most modern IFV/Multirole chassis made till date. It has been used for many systems which only goes to show its modularity and compatibility. Recently, as early as 8 hours ago depending on when this suggestion gets accepted, Rheinmetall has introduced the Kf-41 Lynx Skyranger 35 to the world. First at DSEI in the United Kingdom, then later on their official Youtube channel. In a much wanted adaptation by me and my friends, they installed the Skyranger 35 turret onto the chassis sporting a sleek mdoern grey color scheme and Rheinmetall’s usual clean body.
The Skyranger 35 is an upgunned version of the Skyranger 30, with more potent ammunition in both Anti-Air and Anti-tank roles. The Oerlikon 35mm outperforms its smaller sibling by a significant margin. Rheinmetall has done a great job with their skyranger product which is armed with a bunch of AESA radars in the form of panels attached to the front, rear and sides of the weapon system giving it rapid refresh rates and quick reaction times.
Readers can also note that it has a specialised sight module on top of the turret which allows it to use IR, optical and short range radar tracking as well. The version itself has grown a lot since its first iteration which did not have a great radar coverage and a much larger silhouette.
Some version of the skyranger have also been mounted with internal SAM launchers. it remains to be seen if Rheinmetall holds any plans so far for doing such a modification to this vehicle or not.
The Skyranger has been veiwed positively with reports coming in that Hungary will procure a modified version of the vehicle within the broad modernisation of its military forces. The prototype however, shall remain the sole flag bearer of the new era of innovation in Rheinmetall Deutschland.
Depending on when this article reaches the public eye, our British readers in the UK can even go in person to see the Lynx Skyranger 35 upto 12th September (provided you can get into the expo ;) ).
Primary armament and turret systems
A mobile version of the Skyshield air defense system, it is based on a turret equipped with a 35 mm revolver cannon, based on the 35/1000 revolver gun. It can be elevated up to 85° with 360° rotation. The unmanned turret weighs 4.25 tonnes loaded and is controlled by two operators inside the vehicle
The cannon can fire single-shots, rapid single shots at 200 rounds per minute or at a maximum rate of 1,000 rounds per minute. It has an effective range of 4,000 m. Skyranger 35 vehicles have an integrated sensor suite, consisting of an X-band or Ku-band tracking radar with a range out to 30 km and an EO/IR camera with a laser rangefinder and automatic target tracking. The turret carries 252 rounds ready.
In September of 2023, a new version of the Skyranger 35 system was introduced with redesigned turret and Oerlikon AMMR active electronically scanned array search radar. This S-band radar has a detection range of 5 km for small drones and 20 km for fighter-sized aircraft. Ammunition
It is capable of using a wide variety of ammunition:
- 35mm HEI (DM11A1)
- 35mm AP (DM13)
- 35mm AHEAD (PMD 062, PMD 330)
- 35mm FAPDS (DM33)
- 35mm HEI (DM31)
- 35mm APDS (DM23)
- 35mm APFSDS-T (PMD 060)
Chassis and mobility
The hull is provided with 360 degree 12.7mm protection as well as up to 30mm APFSDS protection (UFP only) with the NERA armour package (rated STANAG 4569 level 5+) as well as having AMAP armour
The hull is also equipped with a spall liner, protecting its crew of 3 as stated in the Rheinmetall Kf-41 brochure.
In its form, the IFV KF41 differs in its rather large size and remarkable mass. The length of this vehicle is defined in 7,73 m, width - 3,6 m, height (on the roof of the tower type Lance 2.0) - 3.3 m. The mass of the empty machine is 41 t, which is reflected in its name. Combat weight with crew, assault force, fuel and ammunition reaches 44-45 t.
Mobility
Engine: Leibherr deisel engine (18-litre)(1,140hp)
Transmission: Renk HSWL 256
Top Speed: 70kmph
Weight: 46t
Torque: 5411Nm
P/W: 24.78hp/t
Suspension: Torsion bar
