Infantry fighting vehicle is type of armored fighting vehicles (AFV) generally used for the transportation and movement of troops and infantry in combat missions. Infantry fighting vehicles are also known as mechanized infantry combat vehicle (MICV).Nowadays many armed forces around the world are using different type of infantry fighting vehicles such as Rheinmetall Lynx KF41 US made M2A4 Bradley and Kurganets-25 which is Russian IFV. IFV as new and advanced variant of armored personal carrier are more effective and lethal as compared to armored personal vehicle. Infantry fighting vehicles are designed to provide more mobility as compared to main battle tanks. Equipped with rapid-firing autocannon, anti-tank missile launcher or large conventional guns, Infantry fighting vehicles have ability to perform combat missions along with the transportation of troops. Besides logistics and transportation infantry fighting vehicles can perform variety of missions that include command and control, armored reconnaissance, search and rescue, repair and recovery or ambulance and surveillance missions. Modern Infantry vehicles are integrated with highly advanced electronic and battle management systems which provide crew and operators real time combat situational awareness.
Rheinmetall Lynx family of armored vehicles:
German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall has developed series of Infantry fighting vehicles. The first one is Lynx KF31.The KF31 has combat range of 500 km and has ability to carry six passengers along with three crew members. Presented at Eurosatory 2016 Lynx has highly advanced electronic warfare systems which includes 360° TV/IR cameras networked with SEOSS-P and SEOSS-S, Laser Warning and Acoustic, Shooter Locating System, BMS which is Battle management system and Tactical Communications, Automatic Target Recognition and Tracking. The Lynx KF 31 has also sophisticated protection systems like ROSY (Rapid smoke obscurance system) and active protection systems. Beside combat mission Lynx KF 31 can perform other missions like surveillance and reconnaissance, resuce and ambulance, command and control. The components and parts of lynx KF 31 can be configurable with upgraded variant which is Lynx KF41.
Rheinmetall Lynx KF41:
Rheinmetall Lynx KF41 is upgraded variant of KF31 with enhanced features like new designed turret which is Lance 2.0 and upgraded automatic Wotan cannon of 35 mm, upgraded ballistic armor which gives protection against multiple threats like anti-tank weapons, artillery ammunitions and IEDS.The Rheinmetall Lynx KF41 is also equipped with enhanced anti-tank guided missile named as Spark with the range of almost 5000 meters and state of the art defense systems like active defense system (ADS) and ROSY (Rapid smoke obscurance system). Rheinmetall Lynx KF41 has ability to carry eleven passengers.
Development of Rheinmetall Lynx KF41:
The Lynx KF41 (Kettenfahrzeug 41) was first introduced at Eurosatory defence exhibition in June 2018.The arms manufacturing company Rheinmetall later designed Lynx Combat Support Vehicle (CSV) and introduced on 18 October 2021.The CSV which is support vehicle has been designed to fulfill logistics and transportation needs of Armed forces around the world. The company aims to export CSV variant to different countries including Hungary and United States.
Main Features of Rheinmetall Lynx KF41:
35mm Wotan cannon:
Rheinmetall Lynx KF41 has upgraded 35mm Wotan automatic cannon. The 35 mm cannon makes Lynx to engage targets range of up to 3,000 meters when static and on the move. The vehicle’s main armament has an elevation of between +45˚ and -10˚, and has an average rate of fire of 200 rounds per minute.The Wotan is medium caliber cannon which can be install on infantry fighting vehicles and also on naval platforms. There are two variants of Wotan cannon The WOTAN30 variant has capability to fire 30 x 173 mm shell and the WOTAN 35 variant which can fire 35 x 228 mm ammunition. The cannon can be controlled electronically which significantly reduces the chances of malfunctioning.
Main Sensor Slaved Armament/MSSA:
The Main Sensor Slaved Armament (MSSA) is RCWS remote-controlled weapon station and can be installed on turret roof of Lynx KF41.It can configure and equipped with different caliber guns and can engage with multiple targets. The MSSA remote controlled weapon station can be integrated with machine gun with variety of calibers or 40 mm grenade launcher can also be installed on system. The Main sensor slave armament has ability to perform combat missions in all environment including urban combat situations.
Spike Anti-tank guided missiles for Rheinmetall Lynx KF41:
The Rheinmetall Lynx KF41 can be equipped with anti-tank guided missiles such as spark .The spark missiles have maximum range of 5km and can engage with different aerial and ground targets.
Active Defense System (ADS) and ROSY (Rapid obscurance smoke system):
In order to protect Lynx KF41 from anti-tank guided missiles and RPGs Rheinmetall has designed active defense protection system .The system can be activated automatically when vehicle comes under external threat. With the ability of defending vehicle under multi missile threats Active protection system has lowest electronic warfare signature .This ability of ADS makes Lynx KF41 less detectable and give protection to vehicle against enemy radars. ADS defends and gives multi spectral 360 protection to Lynx KF41. ROSY (Rapid obscurance smoke system) creates a thick dense smoke wall around platform and break adversary line of sight. By launching smoke grenades ROSY gives 360 degree protection against incoming threats and it provides shoot and scoot opportunity to crew members.
Optional reconnaissance drone:
Rheinmetall Lynx KF41 has optional reconnaissance and surveillance drone that provides real time situation awareness to crew. With the help of optional drone crew has ability to scan surrounding area securely and safely.
Rheinmetall’s Acoustic Shooter Localization System (ASLS):
Rheinmetall Lynx KF41 has shooter locating system (ASLS) which comprises of sensor which has ability to operate 360 degree. The sensor has eight specialized microphones that can detect acoustic finger print of discharged weapons.
Reactive armor protection:
Rheinmetall Lynx KF41 has upgraded hull which provides better protection to driver and crew against variety of incoming threats. The platform has state of the art ballistic armour which protects asset against ATGM weapons, land mines, RPGs ,small bomblets and IEDs.The composite spall liner act as final wall of protection and prevents armor piercing ballistic projectiles.
Mobility of Rheinmetall Lynx KF41:
Rheinmetall Lynx KF41 consist of 1100-horsepower engine and can reached top speed of almost 70 km /hr. With an operating range of greater than 500 km Lynx KF41 has ability to perform logistics and transportation operations on rough and tough terrains. Powered by 1100 hp engine Rheinmetall Lynx KF41 has ability to climb slopes up to +/- 60% and side slopes up to +/- 30%.and platform can pass trenches with length of 2.5m.The Lynx KF41 also uses modern military suspension system developed by Supashock. The damper system has ability to withstand extreme bump stops and shocks.
Crew capacity of Rheinmetall Lynx KF41:
Lynx KF41 has ability to carry up to 11 crew members. With excellent designed rear hatch the entering and exiting from KF41 platform is much easier and safe. Rheinmetall Lynx KF41 ensures the comfort and safety of crew members. The seats designed for Lynx KF 41 are multifunctional and the driver, crew and passengers can take advantages from convenient optimization of the seats.
Electronic warfare systems of Lynx KF41:
Rheinmetall Lynx KF41 has highly advanced stabilized electro optical sight system (SEOSS) with digital TV and IR optics. The SEOSS comprises of advanced thermal imaging device with modern day time camera and integrated laser range finder. The SEOSS has ability to engage targets while moving during day and night and can operate under bad weather conditions.SEOSS features dual axis stabilization and can be configure and mounted on any suitable surface on vehicle. Gathered data from SEOSS than displayed on monitor interiorly located in Lynx KF41.
Battle Management system:
Rheinmetall Lynx KF41 has ability to communicate with variety of aerial and land assets. The platform can deliver rapid and fast transfer of battle information and data with headquarters and other assets in battle field.
Modular design of Rheinmetall Lynx KF41:
Rheinmetall Lynx KF41 has number of unique capabilities. The common base of lynx platform has ability to configure with number of variants such as armored personal carriers, infantry fighting vehicles, ambulances, search and rescue, command posts vehicles. The modular design gives lynx platform an ability to change its role for example an (IFV) Infantry fighting vehicle can be change into ambulance or command post vehicle in very short duration of time.
Potential buyers and operators of Rheinmetall Lynx KF41:
Hungarian defense ministry has awarded a contract of worth over €2 billion to Rheinmetall for production of different type of infantry vehicles and related products and services. Hungary is taking delivery of 46 Lynx IFVs made by Rheinmetall. Hungarian government has already received first infantry vehicle from company in this regard. Initiating at the end of 2023, the remaining vehicles will be manufactured in Hungary by Rheinmetall Hungary Zrt., a joint venture company jointly owned by Rheinmetall (51%) and the Hungarian state (49%). The contract originally predicts seven different variants of the Lynx KF41 for the Hungarian military: the infantry fighting vehicle which is IFV a command post vehicle; a surveillance vehicle; a forward artillery observer vehicle; a mortar track; a rescue and ambulance; and a driver education vehicle. More importantly a new variant Rheinmetall will manufacture a Lynx mobile air defence vehicle with a Skyranger 30 turret. The contract for the conceptual development of this variant was signed in December 2023.
Read out our article about Rheinmetall KF51 Panther main battle tank
https://battletechinsider.com/battle-tanks-and-howitzers/kf51-panther/
Visit our facebook page for latest defense updates and news
https://www.facebook.com/people/Battle-Tech-Insider/100093541134057/?mibextid=ZbWKwL
