German Main Battle Tank Leopard 2

German Main Battle Tank Leopard 2 Weapons & Ammunition Types 120-mm smoothbore gun

-APFSDS-T

-HEAT-MP-T

            A variety of upgrade programs and options are available for the Leopard 2. These include the Atlas Electronic Vehicle Integrated Command and Information System (IFIS), a digital command and information system. A new longer gun barrel (L55 gun barrel, 1.30 meters longer) is available. It permits effective use of a new APFSDS-T round, DM53 (LKE II), with a longer rod penetrator, and which is under development. The German Army has decided not to buy the DM43 APFSDS-T round (aka: LKE 1), rather to wait and upgrade to the DM53.

 Description:

Crew: 4

Combat Weight (mt): 55.15

Chassis Length Overall (m): 7.69

Height Overall (m): 2.79

Width Overall (m): 3.70

Ground Pressure (kg/cm2): 0.83

 Automotive Performance:

Engine Type: 1,500-hp Diesel

Cruising Range (km): 550

Speed (km/h):

Max Road: 72

Max Off-Road: 45

Average Cross-Country: 40

Max Swim: N/A

Fording Depths (m): 1.0 Unprepared, 4.0 with snorkel

Radio: INA

 Protection:

Armor, Turret Front (mm): 700 KE/1,000 against HEAT rounds

Applique Armor (mm): Track skirt

Explosive Reactive Armor (mm): N/A

Active Protective System: Galix (See note Strv 122)

Mineclearing Equipment: No

Self-Entrenching Blade: No

NBC Protection System: Yes

Smoke Equipment: Smoke grenade launchers, 8 each side of turret

 ARMAMENT

Main Armaments:

Caliber, Type, Name: 120-mm smoothbore gun M256

Rate of Fire (rd/min): INA

Loader Type: Manual

Ready/Stowed Rounds: 15/27

Elevation (): -9 to +20

Fire on Move: Yes

Auxiliary Weapon:

Caliber, Type, Name: 7.62-mm (7.62x 51) Machinegun MG3A1

Mount Type: Turret Coax

Maximum Aimed Range(m): INA

Max Effective Range (m):

Day: INA

Night: INA

Fire on Move: Yes

Rate of Fire (rd/min): 1,200

Caliber, Type, Name: 7.62-mm (7.62x 51) Machinegun MG3A1

Mount Type: Turret Cupola

Maximum Aimed Range(m): INA

Max Effective Range (m):

Day: INA

Night: INA

Fire on Move: Yes

Rate of Fire (rd/min): 1,200

 MAIN ARMAMENT AMMUNITION

Caliber, Type, Name:

120-mm APFSDS-T, DM43

Maximum Aimed Range(m): 3,500

Max Effective Range (m):

Day: INA

Night: INA

Armor Penetration (mm): 450 at 2,000 meters

120-mm APFSDS-T, US Olin GD120

Maximum Aimed Range(m): 3,500

Max Effective Range (m):

Day: 3,000

Night: INA

Armor Penetration (mm): 520 at 2,000 meters

120-mm HEAT-MP-T, DM-12A1/US Olin M830

Maximum Aimed Range(m): INA

Max Effective Range (m):

Day: 2,500

Night: INA

Armor Penetration (mm): INA

Other Ammunition Types: US-produced M829, M829A1

APFSDS-T; US M830A1 HEAT-MP-T (MPAT), GE DM12A1 (M830) HEAT-MP-T (MPAT)