kf51 KF51 Panther (HERO 120) - The New Apex Predator (Archived)

[WreckingAres283 4,262]

KF51 Panther (HERO 120) - The New Apex Predator

 

Hi and welcome to by 11th suggestion, which is about the KF51 Panther and the specific HERO 120 module configuration 

After I already suggested other vehicles, the russian Flankers, some Rafale and Leopard 2 ATD, its time for another Tank, which is also more future prove than the ATD. Since we finally received Hardkill APS in game along with Challanger 2 Black Night, Merkava Mk.4 and T-55AMD-1, I think other Nations should get thiers to. This one is, in my opinion, Germanys coolest option and best option for a top tier MBT with Hardkill APS.

 

First of all:

• This is a suggestion for a Tank we could see in game at some point in the Future , that doesn´t mean next Patch or somewhere in the near Future
• I don´t want to force Gaijin to rush Top-tier ground in any way
• Feel free to share more Data and / or correct me if something is wrong
• Discuss respectfully, any aggressive kind or verbal abuse will be reported, the Forum rules also apply here
• Disclaimer: This suggestion is specific for the HERO 120 configuration of the KF51 Panther, since it comes with 3 different optional moduls, the Hero 120 module is one of them, there is also the Spike 2LR and an extra 10 round ammunition storage modules 

 

• HERO 120 launcher and ROSY smoke system

Basic Background

The emergence of the new Russian main battle tank T-14 Armata has shown that the German tanks are no longer up to date. The Ministry of Defense demanded the redevelopment of a Leopard successor. However, according to current estimates, this new tank should not be able to be introduced before 2030. But in addition to the constant improvement of the Leopard, currently in version 2A7(V), further research and development has already been carried out on the basis of the Leopard 2. As a result, the MBT Revolution emerged. However, since the Leopard design is now slowly coming to an end and the competition is not sleeping, it was time for a completely new series of more modern armor systems, which could also keep up well into the future. According to rumors, work has been going on on the KF51 Panther and its soon-to-be-followed siblings since 2014 / 2015, and we should now see the first demonstration product at Eurosatory 2022.

•   Natter RCWS in 7.62mm version

Overall

Compared to the Leopard 2A7, which is currently in good numbers in diesnt, the KF51 Panther is a good deal superior. The 120mm L/55, which we also find on the 2A6, is now replaced by a massive 130mm L/51, which can penetrate over 1200mm LOS of RHA armor with its current APFSDS. According to Rheinmetall the automatic ammunition loading/management system achieves a minimum loading time of < 4 seconds and a feeding time of < 2 seconds, while the optimal time between two shots is < 3 seconds. Additionally the ammo variation includes a HEMP (multifunction HE) and ASM grenade with a tandem HEAT warhead.
With its main armament, the KF51 Panther offers superior firepower against all current and foreseeable mechanized targets. In addition, further armament options are available to provide concentrated firepower for long-range strikes and against multiple targets. A 12.7 mm coaxial machine gun complements the main weapon. The KF51 Panther presented at Eurosatory 2022 is equipped with Rheinmetall's new Natter RCWS in the 7.62 variant, which is able. Integrating a launcher for HERO 120 loitering ammunition from Rheinmetall's partner UVision into the turret is equally possible. This enhances the KF51's ability to strike targets beyond the direct line of sight.

 

Spoiler

 

 

Rheinmetall's Top Attack Protection System (TAPS) warns off threats from above, while the ROSY smoke systems conceals the KF51 from enemy observation. Moreover, its digital NGVA architecture enables integration of additional sensors for detecting launch signatures. Designed to operate in a contested electromagnetic environment, the KF51 is fully hardened against cyber threats.

The KF51 Panther features an innovative operating concept, which is basically designed for a three-person crew: the commander and gunner in the turret and the driver in the hull, where an additional operator station is available for a weapons and subsystems specialist or for command personnel such as the company commander or battalion commander in the hull next to the driver.

Designed in accordance with NGVA standards, the tank's fully digital architecture enables seamless integration of sensors and effectors both within the platform as well as into a networked "system of systems". Operation of sensors and weapons can be transferred instantly between crew members. Each operator station can take over the tasks and roles from others, while retaining full functionality. Means technically even a single crew member can control the tank alone. Since the turret and weapons can also be controlled from the operator stations in the chassis, variants of the KF51 Panther with unmanned turrets or completely remote-controlled vehicles are also planned in the future.

Thanks to the panoramic SEOSS optical sensor and EMES main combat aiming device, the commander and gunner are both able to observe and engage targets independently of each other, both day and night, while a stabilized daylight and IR optic with integrated laser rangefinder is available to both. In addition, via a display in the fighting compartment, the crew has a 360°, round-the-clock view of the vehicle's surroundings. Integrated, unmanned aerial reconnaissance systems enhance the crew's situational awareness in built-up areas and in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle.

The base specifications of the KF51 Panther, for comparison, are as follows; The crew consists of 3 members, an additional member can find space in the chassis with the help of another command station. - The total weight amounts to a maximum of 59 tons, the KF51 is powered by a 1.475 hp diesel engine and, according to Rheinmetall, should have a range of 500km.

 

Spoiler

 

HERO 120 Loitering Munition

UVision develops the HERO family of Loitering Systems. The HERO 120 is a sensor-to-shooter system used for surveillance, targeting, and attacking a variety of targets on the battlefield. It flies to the target area, hovering over the point of interest, tracking and attacking the target. Its controlled remotely and in real time by a communication system and equipped with an electro-optical camera, the images from which are received by the command and control station (i.e. the commander of the tank). In particular the HERO 120, mounted in the swappable module contained in the KF51 Panthers turret, has a range of over 60km, endurance of 60 minutes, a warhead weighing 4.5kg and has a total weight (with canister) of 18kg. Four of these kamikaze drones can be accommodated in the tank's module and fired either simultaneously or individually.

• HERO 120             
• Swappable HERO 120 launcher module (7) next to the fixed 10 round autoloader storage

StrikeShield and AMAP-ADS

The Panther has a fully integrated "comprehensive, weight-optimized protection concept, incorporating active, reactive and passive protection technologies" as well as StrikeShield APS. Without a doubt, the concept's most compelling feature is its active protection against KE, which operates without threat speed limits, making it possible to intercept dart rounds with very high speeds. Thanks to its pre-shot detection capability, the KF51 Panther can recognize and neutralize threats at an early stage. The KF51's StrikeShield system is equipped with numerous sensors. The number of APS modules is 6 in the front, 4 (6?) in the rear and an unknown amount on the sideskirts (charges not visible, possibly not built-in yet).

The AMAP-ADS and StrikeShield systems are so far the only ones that rely on "Opto-Electronically diractable energetic charges with low volume expansion" countermeasures, which pose almost no danger to people and animals in the immediate vicinity, in contrast to the Drozd (-1 / -2) system, whose splitter even at 1000m can still be dangerous in the distance.

The multi-frequency Radars detect a threat 10m to 35m before impact, targets are attempted to be soft-killed here, the Electro-Optical Sensors cover everything in a range of 2m around the tank, 1m before impact the hardkill countermeasure is used to defeat the threat.

 

"Wouldn´t the Skirt and its Electronics be destroyed as the countermeasure explodes" ?

No.

AMAP-ADS and StrikeShield are built on the same principle, what makes them different is the circumstance of use. Example; the StrikeShield modules all have roughly the same structure, a sensor module, a softkill jammer and the ADS charge, as well as a "guidance channel" for the countermeasure. This channel is there to concentrate the countermeasure mass on one area (more or less), here is an example picture (newer gen, compared to Boxer 8x8s side skirts):

 

 

The ADS charge is separated from the rest and placed in a kind of armored box. In any case, if the ADS explodes, the countermeasure will only damage their own housing, everything else is spared. This has the advantage that the material loss per protective measure remains minimal and the batch can be easily replaced after use. In addition, the countermeasure used is a very safe one, damage to the vehicle and the surrounding area remains almost unharmed, which is also evident from numerous tests.

 

Spoiler

 

• No charges built-in (probly for safety)

 

 

  With ADS charges, such a skirt could look like this:

 

• The part marked in blue is the Multi-Band and multi-function Radar, these are built seperatly from the StrikeShield skirts into the KF51
• The part marked in red are the Sensors and a Softkill jammer
• The part marked in yellow is the ADS charge, which we cannot find on the KF51 that was shown, I guess it wasn´t at the event for security reasons

 

Compared to Leopard 2 Advanced Technology Demonstrator (ATD)

In comparison, the KF51 has significantly better protection and firepower. The ATD, unlike the Panther, is still based on the Leopard 2A4 chassis with C-Tech armor and additional add-on armor (similar to the 2PL and Strv 122B), while the KF51 relies on a new turret design as well as D-Tech armor. In terms of firepower, the L/51 is obviously far superior to the L/55, not to forget about the new HERO 120 drone and the new .50 cal which is a significant upgrade to the old 7.62 MG3A1, thats mounted next to the gun. The new APFSDS can be expected to perforate more than 1200mm.
The StrikeShield APS system installed on the KF51 is in no way inferior to the AMAP-ADS of the ATD, on the contrary, we find significantly more sensors, radars and countermeasures here, which leads to a significant plus in protection. The Natter RCWS machine cannon fights all kinds of targets (with the exception of tank shells), the mini-drones from Rheinmetall fight incoming drones and top-down missiles.
In terms of mobility and future security, the KF51 is also a clear winner, considering Rheinmetall's plans for the future.

Link to Leopard 2 ATD

 

Photo Gallery

Spoiler

 

 

 

German APS Vehicles discussion thread;
Feel free to share information for multiple Vehicles or suggestion Ideas here:

 

[Will add more if there are some (more) important / declassified things]

[PM or comment if a Link or Picture isn´t working]

Sources:

https://www.rheinmetall-defence.com/en/rheinmetall_defence/systems_and_products/vehicle_systems/armoured_tracked_vehicles/panther_kf51/index.php

https://www.rheinmetall.com/en/rheinmetall_ag/press/news/latest_news/index_32640.php

https://www.rheinmetall-defence.com/en/rheinmetall_defence/systems_and_products/weapon_stations/index.php

https://www.rheinmetall-defence.com/media/en/editor_media/rm_defence/pdfs/produktpdfs/waffenstationen/DB_Natter7.62_land_dt_2.pdf

https://www.rheinmetall-defence.com/en/rheinmetall_defence/systems_and_products/weapons_and_ammunition/loitering_munitions/index.php

https://www.rheinmetall-defence.com/media/editor_media/rm_defence/publicrelations/messen_symposien/eurosatory_bilder/2022/downloads/fahrzeuge/tracked_vehicles/B325e05.22_Panther_KF51.pdf

https://www.rheinmetall-defence.com/en/rheinmetall_defence/systems_and_products/protection_systems/protection_systems_land/aktivschutz/index.php

https://www.rheinmetall-defence.com/en/rheinmetall_defence/systems_and_products/c4i_systems/reconnaissance_and_sensor_systems/stabilized_electro_optical_sighting_system/index.php

https://www.armyrecognition.com/germany_german_army_heavy_armoured_vehicle_tank_uk/kf51_panther_mbt_main_battle_tank_germany_technical_data_fact_sheet.html

https://uvisionuav.com/portfolio-view/hero-120/

https://www.ads-protection.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/RPS-folder-030719.pdf

https://below-the-turret-ring.blogspot.com/2017/01/hardkill-aps-overview.html

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/eurosatory-2022-rheinmetall-unveils-kf51-panther-tank-with-130-mm-gun
https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/rheinmetall-identifies-markets-for-kf51-panther-tank

https://www.keymilitary.com/article/panther-21st-century

https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/how-capable-panther-arms-race

https://www.overtdefense.com/2022/06/14/rheinmetall-debuts-kf51-panther-main-battle-tank/

https://www.armyrecognition.com/weapons_defence_industry_military_technology_uk/discover_technical_features_of_new_german_kf51_panther_mbt_tank_from_rheinmetall.html

https://www.deviantart.com/haryopanji/art/Rheinmetall-Panther-KF51-925669837

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/new-kf51-panther-tank-packs-big-130mm-gun-aimed-at-aging-leopard-2

https://www.newsnpr.org/german-corporation-launches-super-tank-black-panther/

https://www.19fortyfive.com/2022/06/kf51-panther-new-german-main-battle-tank/

Edited June 19, 2023 by WreckingAres283
Changes due valid, additional information; typo fixes; added additional pictures

[leroyonly 4,310]

Open for discussion. 

 

However please do add vehicle specifications as per the following rule,

Quote

When suggesting a new vehicle that has not been previously suggested or mentioned, your thread MUST contain the following:

4) Specifications for the vehicle

Please do so within 48 hours or your suggestion will be hidden and moved to an archive.

[WreckingAres283 4,262]

5 hours ago, leroyonly said:

Open for discussion. 

 

Thank you

 

5 hours ago, leroyonly said:

However please do add vehicle specifications as per the following rule,

Quote

When suggesting a new vehicle that has not been previously suggested or mentioned, your thread MUST contain the following:

4) Specifications for the vehicle

Please do so within 48 hours or your suggestion will be hidden and moved to an archive.

 

Done (couldn´t find more so far, will add more in future if there is something new / additional to mention), added the following part to the OP in the last part of "Overall" (and added 3 more sources)

 

On 18/08/2022 at 18:00, WreckingAres283 said:

........

The base specifications of the KF51 Panther, for comparison, are as follows; The crew consists of 3 members, an additional member can find space in the chassis with the help of another command station. - The total weight amounts to a maximum of 59 tons, the KF51 is powered by a 1.475 hp diesel engine and, according to Rheinmetall, should have a range of 500km.

........

 

Edited August 21, 2022 by WreckingAres283

[Lord_Prism 1,826]

+1 from me, always love the Big Cats

[Zucc_Boi 656]

That's a no from me.

KF51 is just one of a solid bunch of modern AFVs that have more modularity than Gaijin's current policy can handle. As it stands, every variant that has even slight uniqueness, gets added as a separate vehicle. With vehicles from the cold war, it's no big deal. Worst case, a few more vehicles are added. But now so many more choices are offered, that it wouldn't make sense to make unique vehicles for them.

 

I think KF51 users should be able to just pick, before deploying, what kind of kit they want - Hero, Spike, or more shells. 

Kind of how we can remove the 3 ton mine plate off the Merkavas, except we should be able to do that when deploying, not in the garage.

[Milocat 4,854]

+1 with other modern vehicles.

[WreckingAres283 4,262]

Added additional pictures and a Gallery 

 

20 hours ago, Zucc_Boi said:

As it stands, every variant that has even slight uniqueness, gets added as a separate vehicle. With vehicles from the cold war, it's no big deal. Worst case, a few more vehicles are added. But now so many more choices are offered, that it wouldn't make sense to make unique vehicles for them.

I think KF51 users should be able to just pick, before deploying, what kind of kit they want - Hero, Spike, or more shells. 

Kind of how we can remove the 3 ton mine plate off the Merkavas, except we should be able to do that when deploying, not in the garage.

 

I am not against the modularity of a single model, I also want to see the different kits as selectable modules (e.g. like we can select the gun configs on Bf 109s and Yak-9P / UT). I wanted to suggest this vehicle since it was revealed, but someone did faster, so I chose to suggest this specifc configuration.

 

[GunBreakSim 231]

it would be a good thing add the Panther KF51 to balance Germany which is way behind.

[WreckingAres283 4,262]

Little update; the KF51s StrikeShield shown on the event was not equiped with ADS charges, only the Sensors (and Softkill jammer) were built into to the skirts.

 

With ADS, such a skirt would look like this:

 

• The part marked in blue is the Multi-Band and multi-function Radar, these are built seperatly from the StrikeShield skirts into the KF51
• The part marked in red are the Sensors and a Softkill jammer
• The part marked in yellow is the ADS charge, which we cannot find on the KF51 that was shown, I guess it wasn´t at the event for security reasons

[Lord_Prism 1,826]

1 hour ago, WreckingAres283 said:

Little update; the KF51s StrikeShield shown on the event was not equiped with ADS charges, only the Sensors (and Softkill jammer) were built into to the skirts.

 

With ADS, such a skirt would look like this:

 

• The part marked in blue is the Multi-Band and multi-function Radar, these are built seperatly from the StrikeShield skirts into the KF51
• The part marked in red are the Sensors and a Softkill jammer
• The part marked in yellow is the ADS charge, which we cannot find on the KF51 that was shown, I guess it wasn´t at the event for security reasons

What I consider interesting is the big switch from heavier passive armor, to more reactive/active armor, and how it will develop in the future. Do we know if the soft-kill portion of the strike shield is destroyed when the hard-kill is activated?

[WreckingAres283 4,262]

50 minutes ago, Lord_Prism said:

Do we know if the soft-kill portion of the strike shield is destroyed when the hard-kill is activated?

 

It wouldn´t be destroyed. AMAP-ADS and Strike Shield are built on the same principle, what makes them different is the circumstance of use. Example; the StrikeShield modules all have roughly the same structure, a sensor module, a softkill jammer and the ADS charge, as well as a "guidance channel" for the countermeasure. This channel is there to concentrate the countermeasure mass on one area (more or less), here is an example picture (newer gen, compared to Boxer 8x8):

 

 

The ADS charge is separated from the rest and placed in a kind of armored box. In any case, if the ADS explodes, the countermeasures will only damage their housing (the charge), everything else is spared. This has the advantage that the material loss per protective measure remains minimal and the batch can be easily replaced after use. In addition, the countermeasure used is a very safe one, damage to the vehicle and the surrounding area remains almost unharmed, which is also evident from numerous tests.

 

Edited September 1, 2022 by WreckingAres283

[Lord_Prism 1,826]

2 minutes ago, WreckingAres283 said:

 

It wouldn´t be destroyed. AMAP-ADS and Strike Shield are built on the same principle, what makes them different is the circumstance of use. Example; the StrikeShield modules all have roughly the same structure, a sensor module, a softkill jammer and the ADS charge, as well as a "guidance channel" for the countermeasure. This channel is there to concentrate the countermeasure mass on one area (more or less), here is an example picture (newer gen, compared to Boxer 8x8):

 

 

The ADS charge is separated from the rest and placed in a kind of armored box. In any case, if the ADS explodes, the countermeasures will only damage their housing (the charge), everything else is spared. This has the advantage that the material loss per protective measure remains minimal and the batch can be easily replaced after use. In addition, the countermeasure used is a very safe one, damage to the vehicle and the surrounding area remains almost unharmed, which is also evident from numerous tests.

 

Now that's a fascinating divergence from contemporaries like Arena or Trophy

[GunBreakSim 231]

On 18/08/2022 at 13:00, WreckingAres283 said:

KF51 Panther (HERO 120) - The New Apex Predator

I guess maybe we'll see it in war thunder by the year 2036. Anyway, I'm not excited about any German tank, probably if they add it it will be with very nerfed statistics.

Edited September 7, 2022 by GunBreakSim

[blockbauer 16]

+1 is one of the few tanks which could fight the t14 armata