Spähpanzer Luchs 2A2
Spähpanzer Luchs: Armored Reconnaissance Vehicle
Statistics
Main Gun: Rh202 20mm Autocannon
Ammunition Stowage: 375 ready/0 stowed
Default Ammunition "A": 75/0 DM43 APDS-T, 300/0 DM81 HE-I-T
Commander's MG: 7.62mm MG3
Ammunition Stowage: 200 ready/800 stowed
Default Ammunition: 200/800 7.62mm AP
Armour Protection:
Frontal Turret Armour: N/A
Frontal Hull Armour: Thin. Protected vs small arms and artillery fragmentation.
Grenades: Smoke Grenades
Ammunition Storage: 2 salvo ready/2 stowed
Default Ammunition "A": 2/2 Smoke
Combat Mass: 19.5 tonnes (Combat loaded)
Engine Power: 390 hp Mercedes-Benz OM 403A 10-cylinder Diesel
Height: 2.84m (roof-top)
Top Speed: 90kph
General
Developed by Thyssen-Henschel (now Rheinmetall) in the early 1970s as a replacement for the Schützenpanzer SPz 11-2 Kurz and M41 light tank, the Spähpanzer Luchs (Ger: “armored reconnaissance vehicle Lynx”) is an 8x8 amphibious reconnaissance vehicle which entered German service in 1975. Based on the principle of "videre sine videri" (lat: "seeing without being seen"), the Luchs' design descends from the proven World War II vintage Schwerer Panzerspähwagen family of armored scout cars. Features include 8-wheel steering, run-flat tires, NBC protection, and a heavily insulated all steel welded hull offering extremly quite operation. One unique feature retained from the 8 Rad Sd.Kfz. 231 is a second driver's position (radio operator) at the rear of the vehicle, allowing it travel either direction at top speed.
Basic armament consists of a stabilized Rheinmetall Rh202 20mm autocannon in a two-man TS-7 turret with an elevation of -15 to +69o. A skate-ring mounted 7.62mm MG3 anti-aircraft machine gun is provided at the commander's station. This armament is light, and, as indicated by the relatively small amount of ammunition carried and low fire rate, is intended for self-defense only. Both the commander and gunner are provided with the same PERI-Z-11 A-1 periscopes found on early versions of the Marder and TAM IFV with the addition of infra-red optics and a white/IR spotlight mounted on the left side of the turret.
Motive power is provided by a 390 hp 10-cylinder Mercedes-Benz OM 403A diesel engine coupled with an ZF Friedrichshafen AG automatic 4 PW 95 H1 transmission with 4 forward and 4 reverse gears. Air is mixed with exhaust gases to reduce thermal signature. Suspension consists of four steerable Daimler-Benz rigid axles with differential locks which are supported by longitudinal bars and bogies along with a vertical coil spring and hydraulic shock-absorber at each wheel station. Early versions are fully amphibious with minimal preparation.
The modeled version is the Spähpanzer Luchs 2A2 which replaces the original passive night vision and spotlight combination with thermal sights (Luchs 2A1) and upgrades the radios to the digital SEM 80/90 system.
Vehicle crew on the Luchs is four: driver, gunner, radio operator/driver, and vehicle commander, but due to limitations with in the Steel Beasts engine the radio operator/second driver position is not modeled. Instead the vehicle carries a two man scout section carrying 5.56mm rifles, which should only be deployed when the vehicle is set in a fixed reconnaissance position.
Produced from 1975 through 1978 with a total production of 408 vehicles, the Spähpanzer Luchs saw service only with the Germany army (Bundeswehr). Beginning in 2003, the Fennek began replacing the Luchs as Germany's primary reconnaissance platform with the two vehicles operating in mixed units until 2009 when the Luchs was finally withdrawn from service.
Thermal Signature
Crew Positions
WIP