Rhienmetall Landsysteme Spahpanzer Luchs (Lynx)

History

The Spahpanzer Luchs, also known as the Lynx, was a type of armored vehicle developed by West Germany during the Cold War. It was designed as an 8x8 wheeled multipurpose armored vehicle. The project was led by Daimler-Benz starting in 1968, and the Luchs was introduced for use by the West German army in 1975, replacing the SPz 11-2 Kurz armored personnel carrier.

The Lynx weighed 21.5 tons and had dimensions of approximately 7.7 meters in length, 3 meters in width, and 2.8 meters in height. It had a crew of four, including a driver, commander, gunner, and loader/co-pilot. The main weapon on the Lynx was a powerful 20mm Rheinmetall Mk 20 Rh202 automatic cannon mounted on a rotating turret. Additionally, a 7.62mm MG3 machine gun was mounted on the right side of the turret. The vehicle provided standard protection against nuclear, biological, and chemical threats (NBC) for the crew.

One notable feature of the Lynx was its rear-facing pilot position, located on the back left side of the vehicle. This arrangement allowed for quick maneuvering without needing to perform a full U-turn, saving valuable time in critical situations.

Moreover, the Lynx was fully amphibious and capable of moving through water at speeds of up to 10 km/h using water jets located at the rear of the vehicle.

Specification

Basics

Years of Service: 1975

Origins: Germany

Crew: 4

Production: 500

Manufacturer: Rhienmetall Landsysteme GmbH Kassel, Germany

Operator: West Germany

Roles

Amphibious Assault

Cross open water under your own power with or without preparation.

Recon

Can perform reconnaissance/reconnaissance missions to assess threat levels, enemy strength, etc. - usually due to lightweight construction.

Dimensions and Weight

Length: 20.3 feet (6.2m)

Width: 9.8 feet (2.98m)

Height: 6.8 feet (2.08m)

Weight: 44,092 lbs (20,000 kg)

Tonnage: 22 tons

Power and Performance

Engine: 1 x Daimler-Benz OM403A 10-cylinder 90-degree V-4 diesel engine with 390 hp at 2,500 rpm.

Speed: 55.9 km/h (90.0 km/h)

Area: 453. 6 miles (730.0 km)

Weapons

1 x 20mm autocannon in turret 1 x 7. 62mm machine gun on top of turret 2 x 4 smoke grenade launchers

Ammo

375 x 20mm ammo 100 x 7.62mm ammo 8 x smoke grenade

VARIANTS

Luchs A1 - Improved communication device

Luchs A2 - Added thermal imaging device