Vehicles of the AFALuchs IFVThe Luchs is a family of tracked Austrian armoured fighting vehicles developed by Krauss Maffei. Designed as a replacement for Austria's aging M113A2 armoured personnel carriers, the Luchs has been operational with the AA since 2002. In a wide variety of vehicles formats including the Luchs II, Luchs 25 and Luchs 40/50 variations.
The Luchs IFV has since been succeeded by the Luchs II, which entered service with AA in October 2007
A Luchs II with a 30mm Bushmaster II cannon.
DescriptionProtectionThe hull and turret are of all-welded-steel construction with modular passive armour protection. Additional armour protection can be installed with an add-on layer of spaced passive armour.
EngineThe Luchs is a compact design produced to meet the conditions of Austrian terrain where small size can be a great asset when it comes to travelling among plantations, mountains and over roads and bridges not designed for heavy vehicles. The power provided by the 475 hp (354 kW) ÖMW Diesel engine to drive its 23 tonnes, ensures the Luchs is able to overcome the most difficult terrain. Future upgrades in power ratings can be developed according to needs.
The integrated power pack is mounted to the right of the vehicle and can be removed from the Luchs as a complete unit in under 15 minutes. The engine is coupled to the K/M Defense Systems HMPT-500EC fully hydro mechanical transmission, with the final drives being provided by MAN Engineering. The engine compartment is also fitted with an automatic fire detection and dry-powder fire suppression system with a supplementary manual back up.
InteriorThe layout of the Luchs is conventional with the driver at the front left, the power pack situated at the front right and the turret in the center with the troop compartment at the rear. Access to the troop compartment at the rear of the vehicle is by a power-operated ramp, which can operate as an emergency access and exit door. A single hatch is installed over the troop compartment.
The driver enters via a roof hatch that opens to the left rear. When driving closed-down, observation is via three day periscopes, while the center periscope can be rapidly replaced by an image-intensification periscope for driving at night. The driver guides the vehicle using a small steering wheel rather than tillers and, as an automatic transmission is fitted, there are just two pedals - accelerator and brake. The instrument panel is mounted on the left, with the transmission selection box on the right.
In the turret, the gunner's station is on the right and the commander's station is on the left, each with a single hatch cover. The turret traverses through 360°. Traverse and weapon elevation is by all-electric digital control. Both the gunner and commander have a turret stop button and are able to lay and fire the weapons. The gunner has the turret control box mounted to the right of his position and both turret-crew members have an adjustable seat. The communications equipment is installed in the turret bustle.
The basic production models lacks an in-built NBC protection and air conditioning system, but can be fitted if/when needed.
AimingThe gunner has a twin-control handles and a day/thermal sight, with a magnification of x8 and two fields of view (high and low), with stadias for the 25mm cannon and 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. The commander has an optical relay from the gunner's sight and a single control handle. The vehicle commander has a further five day periscopes to give observation to the turret front, left side and rear; the gunner has three periscopes (1 x M17 and 2 x L794D) to give observation to the right and rear.
Production modelsLuchs 25 First production model. Armed with 25mm Bushmaster cannon turret and 2 x 7.62mm GPMG. The first Luchs 25 production vehicles were completed in September 2002 and, under the Phase I production contract awarded to Krauss Maffei. Production continued until 2005. A total of 900 were built for the AA.
Luchs 40/50 Variant with Cupola mounted 40mm AGL/0.5-inch HMG twin weapon station and 7.62mm GPMG. Can accommodate up to 11 troops. Approx. 600 were built.
Luchs ARV Armoured Recovery Vehicle equipped with a 25 tonne winch and a 30 tonne crane.
Luchs AVLB Armoured Vehicle Launched Bridge fitted with an MLC30 bridge that can be launched within 7 minutes by a crew of two (commander and driver) from the internal armoured compartment or via remote control panel. When extended the bridge can be used to span a gap of up to 22 metres.
Luchs II In the last years, the Luchs design received an upgrade, resulting in the creation of the Luchs II; jointly developed by the Fraunhofer Society and MAN Engineering. The main turret was upgraded to the 30 mm Bushmaster II cannon and armour was improved. The new cannon has 50% greater armor penetration, while the upgraded armour has 50% greater protection against kinetic or shaped charge warheads. The incorporation of a digital Battlefield Management System has allowed the Luchs II to maintain a higher competency in functionality and survivability by interfacing in real time and sharing information with other linked assets such other army units of the AA with those of the Air Force and Navy, thereby giving a better all round tactical and situation awareness. The Luchs II has an improved day / night thermal sighting system (DNTSS) with a dual-axis stabilisation system for enhanced target tracking, and an integrated eye-safe laser rangefinder has a range of up to 3km. Upgrades also include air-conditioning, minefield protection and enhancements to the 30mm cannon.
Puma (IFV)The Puma is an Austrian infantry fighting vehicle. It is replacing the Luchs IFV over the next years. Governing company is PSM Projekt System Management, a joint venture of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and MAN Landsysteme. The Puma is one of the best-protected IFVs, while still having a high power/weight ratio.
General descriptionThe Puma, while externally not very different from existing IFVs, incorporates a number of advantages and state-of-the-art technologies. The most obvious of these is the incorporated ability to flexibly mount different armour (see below for details). Another feature is the compact, one-piece crew cabin that enables direct crew interaction ("face-to-face"; like replacing the driver or gunner in case of a medical emergency) and minimizes the protected volume. The cabin is air conditioned, NBC-proof with internal nuclear and chemical sensors and has a fire suppressing system using non-toxic agents. The engine compartment has its own fire extinguishing system. The only compromise of the otherwise nearly cuboid cabin is the driver station, located in a protrusion in front of the gunner, in front of the turret.
One measure to achieve the one-piece cabin is the use of an unmanned, double-asymmetrical turret: while slightly off-center turrets are common in IFVs, the Puma's turret is on the left-hand side of the vehicle, while the main cannon is mounted on the right side of the turret and thus on the middle axis of the hull when the turret is in the forward position.
The outer hull (minus the turret) is very smooth and low to minimize bullet traps and general visual signature. The whole combat-ready vehicle in its base configuration will be air transportable in the A400M tactical airlifter. Its 3+6 persons crew capability is comparable to other vehicles of comparable weight like the M2 Bradley IFV, and slightly lower as in the Luchs.
ArmamentThe primary armament is a MAN 30 mm MK 30-2/ABM (Air Burst Munitions) autocannon, which has a rate of fire of 200 rounds per minute and an effective range of 3000 m. There are currently two ammunition types, directly available via the autocannon's dual ammunition feed. One is a sub-calibre, fin-stabilised APFSDS-T (T for tracer), with high penetration capabilities, mainly for use against medium armoured vehicles. The second is a full-calibre, multi-purpose, Kinetic Energy-Timed Fuse (KETF) munition, designed with the air burst capability (depending on the fuse setting) of ejecting a cone of sub-munitions. Both ammunitions can be chosen differently from shot to shot as the weapon fires from an open bolt, meaning no cartridge is inserted until the trigger is used. The ammunition capacity is 400 rounds; 200 ready to fire and 200 in storage.
The smaller 30 x 173 mm caliber (for example in comparison to the Bofors 40 mm gun mounted on the CV9040) offers major advantages because of a much lower ammunition size and weight, and the large number of rounds ready to fire (the CV9040 offers only 24 shots per magazine).
The secondary armament is a coaxially mounted 5.56 mm HK MG4 machine gun firing at 850 rounds per minute with an effective range of 1000 m. The ammunition capacity is 2000 rounds; 1000 ready to fire and 1000 in storage. While this is a smaller weapon than the western standard of using a 7.62 mm caliber MG as secondary armament, it offers advantages because it has a higher rate of fire and the crew can use the ammunition in their individual firearms as well. In situations where the lower penetration of the 5.56 mm rounds is an issue, the high ammunition load of the main gun enables the vehicle crew to use one or two main gun rounds instead. The gun housing can also host the 7.62 mm MG3.
To combat main battle tanks and infrastructure targets such as bunkers, the Puma vehicles are equipped with a turret-mounted Spear LR missile launcher.
In addition to the usual smoke-grenade launchers with 8 shots, there is a 6-shot 76 mm launcher at the back of the vehicle for close-in defence. The main back door can be opened halfway and enables two of the passengers to scout and shoot from moderate protection.
ProtectionThe Puma was designed to easily accommodate additional armor. It was initially planned to offer three protection classes which are wholly or partly interchangeable. Protection class A is the basic vehicle, at 31.5 tons combat-ready weight air transportable in the A400M. Protection class C consists of two large side panels that cover almost the whole flanks of the vehicle and act as skirts to the tracks, a near-complete turret cover and armor plates for most of the vehicle's roof. The side panels are a mix of composite and spaced armor. It adds about 9 metric tons to the gross weight. Originally, there was also a protection class B designed for transport by rail. However, it became obvious that class C lies within the weight and dimension limits for train/ship transportation, thus class B was scrapped.
A group of 4 A400M aircraft could fly 3 class A Pumas into a theatre, with the fourth airplane transporting the class C armor kits and simple lifting equipment. Subsequently, the Pumas could be ready in armor class C within a short time.
The basic armour can resist direct hits from 14.5mm rounds, the most powerful HMG cartridge in common use today (and up to twice as powerful as the western de facto standard .50 BMG cartridge) and is capable of defeating simple hollow charge warheads. The front armour is able to withstand 30mm APFSDS projectiles. In protection class C, the flanks of the Puma are up-armored to about the same level of protection as is the front, while the roof armor is able to withstand artillery or mortar bomblets.
The whole vehicle is protected against heavy blast mines (up to 10kg) and projectile charges from below while still retaining 450mm ground clearance. Almost all equipment within the cabin, including the seats, has no direct contact to the floor, which adds to crew and technical safety. All cabin roof hatches are of the side-slide type which make them easier to open manually, even when they are obstructed by debris. The exhaust is mixed with fresh air and vented at the rear left side. Together with a special IR-suppressing paint, this aims at reducing the thermal signature of the IFV.
Another crew safety measure is that the main fuel tanks are placed outside of the vehicle hull itself, mounted heavily armored within the running gear carriers. While this may pose a higher penetration risk to the tanks, it is unlikely that both tanks will be penetrated at the same time, enabling the vehicle to retreat to a safer position in case of a breach. There is also a collector tank within the vehicle to which acts as a reserve tank in case of a double tank breach.
Sensors and situational awarenessThe Puma offers improvements in situational awareness. The fully stabilized 360° periscope (PERI) with 6 different zoom stages offers a direct glass optic link to either the commander or the gunner. Since this is an optical line it had to be placed in the turret center, one of the reasons why the main cannon is mounted off-center on the turret. Via an additional CCD camera the picture from this line can also be fed into the on-board computer network and displayed on all electronic displays within the vehicle. Besides that, the periscope offers an optronic thermal vision mode and a wide-angle camera with 3 zoom stages to assist the driver, as well as a laser range finder. The whole array is hunter-killer capable; the commander also has 5 vision blocks.
The gunner optics, which can be completely protected with a slide hatch, are mounted coaxially to the main gun. The gunner has a thermal vision camera and laser range finder (identical to those on the PERI) and an optronic day sight, rounded off with a vision- and a glass block. The driver has 3 of them, as well as an image intensifier and one display for optronic image feeds. Even the passenger cabin has a hatch and 3 vision blocks on the rear right side of the vehicle, one of them in a rotary mount. The rear cabin also has 2 electronic displays.
All in all, the Puma has an additional five external cameras at its rear in swing-mounts for protection while not in use. Apart from the glass optic periscope view directly accessible only by the commander and gunner (but indirectly via the CCD camera), ALL optronic picture feeds can be displayed on every electronic display within the vehicle. The provisions for the rear cabin enable the passengers to be more active than previously in assisting the vehicle crew either directly through the vision blocks and hatches, or by observing one or more optronic feeds. The whole crew has access to the onboard intercom.
MobilityTraditionally, IFVs are expected to interact with MBTs on the battlefield. In reality, many IFVs are not mobile enough to keep up the pace of an MBT. The Puma aims to close this gap with several key technologies. Firstly, its compact, lightweight MTU Diesel engine is unusually strong at 800kW nominal output, which may make it the most powerful engine in use on an IFV today. Even at the 43t maximum weight in protection class C, it has a higher kW/t ratio than the Leopard 2 MBT it is supposed to supplement.
The vehicle has a five-road wheel decoupled running gear and uses a hydropneumatic suspension to improve cross-country performance while reducing crew and material stress by limiting vibrations and noise. The road wheels are asymmetrical, mounted closer to each other at the front. This is to counter the front-heavy balance, inevitable because of the heavy frontal armor as well as the engine and drive train which are also situated at the front. The 500mm-wide steel tracks made by Diehl are of new construction and lighter than previous designs.
PzH 2000
The Panzerhaubitze 2000 ("Armoured howitzer 2000"), abbreviated PzH 2000, is an Austrian 155 mm self-propelled howitzer developed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW or simply K/M) and MAN for the Austrian Army. The PzH 2000 is one of the most powerful conventional artillery systems currently deployed. It is particularly notable for a very high rate of fire; in burst mode it can fire three rounds in 9 seconds, ten rounds in 56 seconds, and can fire between 10 and 13 rounds per minute continuously, depending on barrel heating. The PzH 2000 has automatic support for MRSI (Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact) for up to 5 rounds. The replenishment of shells is automated. Two operators can load 90 shells and propelling charges in less than 12 minutes.
DevelopmentA new Joint Ballistics Memorandum of Understanding (JBMOU) for a 52 calibre barrel to replace 39 calibre was nearing agreement. Austrian industry was asked for proposals to build a new design with gun conforming to the JBMOU. Of the proposed designs, K/M's was selected.
MAN designed the 155 mm 52-calibre JBMOU compliant gun, which is chromium-lined for its entire 8 metre length and includes a muzzle brake on the end. The gun uses a new modular charge system with six charges (five identical), which can be combined to provide the optimal total charge for the range to the target. Primer is loaded separately via a conveyor belt, and the entire loading, laying and clearing is completely automated. The maximum range of the gun is 30 km with the standard L15A2 round, about 35 km with base bleed rounds, and at least 40 km with rocket assisted projectiles. In April 2006 a PzH 2000 shot assisted shells over a distance of 56 km with a probable maximum range of over 60 km. This gun has a MRSI capability, with five round simultaneous strikes.
Wegmann supplied both the chassis, sharing some components with the Leopard 1, and the turret for the gun. The system has superb cross-country performance and considerable protection in the case of counter-fire. The turret includes a phased array radar on the front glacis for measuring the muzzle velocity of each round fired. Laying data can be automatically provided via encrypted radio from the battery fire direction centre. A crew of three was needed for full operation, commander, layer and driver.
Wegman eventually won a contract for 185 to be delivered to Austria's rapid reaction force, followed by another 410 for the main force. Wegmann and Krauss-Maffei, the two main Austrian military tracked vehicle designers, merged in 1998.
A number of armies have tested the system and its ability to provide accurate fire at 40 km has been a major selling point.
Currently the there is no 155 mm 52-calibre self-propelled howitzer comparable to the PzH 2000 otherwise from some prototypes that other countries may have.
LPzH 2000The Leichte Panzerhaubitze 2000 (LPzH 2000) is a self-propelled artillery unit armed with a 155 mm howitzer. Developed jointly by the AA, Fraunhofer Society and Krauss Maffei, it was introduced to the Austrian Artillery in 2004.
DesignThe chassis is based on the proven M109 155 mm self propelled howitzer. This has been upgraded in a number of key areas and has a new power pack similar to that fitted to K/M Luchs infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), which is in AA service, too. The use of common subsystems for the LPzH 2000 and Luchs IFV offers several advantages, including easier training and reduced logistics.
The LPzH power pack consists of a ÖMW Diesel 6V 92TIA diesel engine developing 550 hp coupled to a K/M Land Systems HMPT-500-3EC fully automatic transmission.
The maximum road speed of the LPzH is 70 km/h, with an operating range of 500 km, its combat weight is of 28.3 tons allows it to use the AA's current military bridging systems. The LPzH could be deployed by the future A400M Transport aircraft.
The turret is fitted with a locally developed 155 mm/39-cal barrel with a muzzle brake and fume extractor. The range of the LPzH's gun would depend on the type of projectile and charge combination used, but is approximately 21 km with the old M107 high explosive (HE) projectile, 34 km with an extended range full bore base bleed projectile and even higher with a RAM projectile. In addition to smoke, HE and illumination projectiles, the locally developed 155 mm cargo round can also be fired.
A semi-automatic loading system is provided to increase the rate of fire and reduce crew fatigue. The fused projectiles are loaded and rammed automatically; the modular charges are loaded manually. The LPzH has a burst rate of fire of three rounds in 20 seconds and a maximum rate of fire of 6 rounds per min. The bustle mounted magazine holds up to 26 155 mm projectiles.
The digital fire control system automates the complete projectile loading process and gun laying operation. An ammunition inventory management system keeps track of all on board ammunition as well as ammunition expenditure during firing. The weapon is laid to the target using an automatic fire control system, which includes an on board positioning and navigation system. This can receive target information from the battery or regimental command post. It takes less than 60 seconds to come into action and open fire and 40 seconds to re-deploy.
Additional SpecificationsSpecial Features - Automatic loading system, enables operation with 4 men crew
- Automated targeting based on GPS and Datalink
- Datalink system for shared targeting within battalion and information feeding from forward observers.
Mobility - Number of road wheel: 7 per side
- Climbing side slope : 31°
LWH Mark III
The LWH Mark III at a military arms convention.
DesignThe Light Weight Howitzer (LWH) Mark III is a helicopter-transportable, towed artillery unit. Developed jointly by the AA, Fraunhofer Society and Krauss Maffei, it was commissioned on 28 October 2005.
The 155 mm, 39-caliber Mark III is typically towed, but it is also equipped with an independent Lombardini 9LD625-2 engine unit to provide short-range self-propelled capability of up to 12 km/h (7 mph). It can be lifted by the AAF's CH-47SD "Chinook" helicopter, making it the world's first heli-portable 155 mm howitzer with a self-propelled capability. In addition, the Mk.III can also be transported by the C-130 Hercules tactical airlifter.
The Mk.III has a burst rate of fire of three rounds in 24 seconds and a maximum rate of fire of four rounds per minute. It can deliver conventional munitions up to 22 km. Extended range munitions can be fired up to 35 km away. A semi-automatic loading system is provided to increase the rate of fire and reduce crew fatigue.
The design of the Mk.III also incorporates several innovative elements. It is built with titanium alloy and aluminium alloy materials that are lightweight and yet able to withstand the recoil force of the 155 mm artillery system. Special recoil management design is also employed to reduce the recoil force to a third lower than conventional 155 mm howitzers.
Leopard 3A1 MBTDesign & constructionThe Leopard is the AA's first serious tank design. Incorporating new armor, weapons, and battlefield management systems it matched only by the latest designs of nations such as Rebel Army or Viniland. Development began in early 2006. A great number of specialists were called in to give their opinions on what was required for the new tank. Lessons learned from battles of other nations in the world plus the weaknesses of their tanks were corrected in the 3A1.
At the center of the 3A1 is its revolutionary gun. The M360B is an electro-thermal gun which provides a much higher velocity for KEW rounds. It allows the Leopard to defeat the latest in tank armor, in addition to smashing reinforced bunkers with HEDS rounds. Three machineguns and an automatic grenade launcher provide anti-infantry firepower unmatched by other tanks. This allows the 3A1 to defeat any threat encountered from enemy tanks to swarms of insurgent fighters.
Improving upon systems first deployed in the Luchs AFV, the Leopard has the most advance battlefield management and fire control computers. Each tank can wirelessly communicate with another through the Inter-Vehicle Data System (IVDS). At the lowest levels the IVDS helps maintain unit cohesion and for officers the ability to get real time intelligence from unmanned and manned assets. In addition, air strikes, artillery support, and re-supply can be called for over the IVDS. Hardened battlecams with full NVG and FLIR abilities, give the Leopard's tank commander a 360 degree battlefield view.
Almost all of the AA's active Armored Regiments have already been equipped with the Leopard.
