Eurosatory 2016: Lynx, a New, Tracked, Medium Weight AFV Debut

Rheinmetall unveilled today the Lynx, its latest tracked combat vehicle at the Eurosatory defense exhibition in Paris. The new vehicle is one of two models developed by the German company, positioned as an independently developped, tracked combat system positioned primarily to compete in export markets.

Rheinmetall already offers a similar vehicle – the Puma, developed and produced in partnership with its main competitor Krauss Maffai Wegman, that has now joined forces with the french prime Nexter. While the Puma is designed to address the specific (and uncompromised) requirements of the German Army, the Lynx is designed with more flexible approach with two hull sizes, designed to carry six ad eight infantrymen. The variant unveiled today at Eurosatory is the KF31 that can carry a squad of six, along with three crew members. A longer variant designated KF41 can carry eight soldiers. It is equipped with the Lance turret system, mounting a 30/35mm cannon with firing anti-tank and high-explosive airburst ammunition, providing the crew with firepower, effective up to a distance of 3,000 meters, even on the move.

The Lance is a manned turret mounting Rheinmetal’s 35mm cannon, a machine gun with three replaceable barrels and a launcher pod carrying two Spike LR missiles. Photo: Noam Eshel, Defense-Update

The manned turret also has a coax 7.62 machine gun fitted with unique barrel replacement system that can sustain continuous firing over extended time, by replacing the machine gun barrels on demand. The optronic systems consist of off-the-shelf Stabilized, EO Sight System (SEOSS) from Rheinmetall, which consiss of TV/IR optical system integrated with laser rangefinder and fire control computer. Th system combines a gunner sight module with an independent, panoramic commander’s sight. Laser warning sensors and acoustic sniper detection systems provide effective warning from battlefield threats,

Lynx uses a new hull configured with a track system using rubber links. The front mounted engine is coupled with an exhaust system that runs through the sides of the vehicle, to the rear mounted exhausts, thus reducing the thermal signature of the vehicle. Photo: Noam Eshel, Defense-Update.

It can also be equipped with another remotely operated weapon attached to the commander’s independent, panoramic sight, providing the commander with the option to engage targets in sight independently of the gunner’s aiming. (in what company officials call ‘killer-killer’ capability – an evolution of traditional ‘hunter-killer’ function of standard independent commander’s sights. The turret also mounts a launcher with two Spike multi-purpose guided missiles, for long range engagements.

Lynx is designed with its rear area reserved for mission equipment and carrying space for an infantry squad. This means that the engine is positioned in the front of the vehicle. Nevertheless, the engine exhaust is channelled backwards, diluted with colder air to reduce the vehicles’ thermal signature. The acoustic signature of the diesel engine is also reduced to levels considerably lower than standard AFVs.

The protection system defends the Lynx from various threats, including ballistic, RPG and mine or IED blast. Spall liner is emplaced inside the vehicle, reducing vulnerability to ballistic or chemical attack. The company also offers the use of hul-mounted active defense systems (ADS), improving the vechicle’s survivability againt RPGs and other tandem, High-Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) attack.

KF31 Lynx mounting the Lance turret with 35mm cannon. Photo: Noam Eshel, Defense-Update

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