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 The
first batch of Leopard tanks were built between September
1965 - July 1966, replacing the M47 within the German division
of 1st Corps. The tank had an all-welded hull. Gunners primary
sight is the Turmentfernungs-messer (TEM) 1A rangefinder sight
(with 1720 mm basis length), linked to the unstabilised 105
mm British made L7A3 main gun.
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Leopard 1 is modified several times from 1965 to 1995, bringing
it to a modern standard today. The only backdraft is the thin
armor and the small 105 mm main gun.
All images are clickable for larger versions. |
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 A
modernisation programme was launched in 1970 to enhance the
combat effectiveness of the Bundeswehr's exisitng fleet. Most
importantly, all Leopards received the hydraulic Cadillac-Gage
main gun stabilisation system. This featured power-elevation
and full stabilisation in both elevation and traverse. Targets
could now be acquired and engaged on the move. The barrel
of the main gun was equipped with a thermal sleeve to make
the barrel temperature more stable. Metal-rubber side skirts
were added to increase protection against HEAT shaped charges.
New Diehl D640A double-pin tracks. For winter operations,
a number of the detachable rubber pads could be replaced by
special "X"-patterned metal pads (grousers). The
IR (active) night sights for the driver and commander were
replaced by passive image intensification night sights. This
series of upgrades increased the combat weight to 41.5 tonnes.
From 1974 to 1977 all vehicles in the 1st to 4th batches,
known as Leopard 1A1, were retrofitted with additional turret
armor developed by Blohm und Voss. The add-on armor increased
combat weight to 42.5 tonnes. Following modification, the
vehicle was re-designated Leopard
1A1A1.
Leopard 1A1A2 received the PZB 200 from the Leopard
2 in 1980. This was because the Leopard 2 was fitted with
thermal sights instead. The PZB 200 is a passive image intensification
night vision system for aiming and observation. It consists
mainly of the low-light-level television (LLLTV) camera, mounted
on the gun mantlet in a pretective bar-shaped housing to the
right-hand side of the vehicle's centreline. The system intensifies
the night scene and transfer the image to TV monitor viewed
by the gunner and/or commander. The Leopard 1A2 and A3 was
also fitted with this system.
The Leopard 1A1A3 was fitted with the digital SEM80/90
VHF radio.
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 Built
1972-1974, the 5th batch included 232 tanks with a cast steel
turret of thicker armor. Designated Leopard 1A2, this tank
is quite difficult to distinguish from the modernised Leopard
1A1 vehicles og the 4th batch, the former having oval (instead
of circular) cover plates on the heads of its optical rangefinders.
The Leopard 1A2 never received add on turret armor, but it
did get an improved NBC protection system. Most vehicles from
this batch saw service with the German 6th Panzer grenadier
Division, which trained extensively with the Danish Army.
The combat weight was 42.5 tonnes.
Leopard 1A2A1 received the PZB 200 from the Leopard
2 in 1980 along with the A1 and A3.
The Leopard 1A2A2 was fitted with the digital SEM80/90
VHF radio (not PZB 200).
The Leopard 1A2A3 was fitted with the digital SEM80/90
VHF radio and PZB 200.
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The A1 and A2 are difficult to tell apart.
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 The
remaining 110 vehicles of the 5th batch were fitted with a
new welded turret incorporating spaced armor and a wedge-shaped
gun mantlet. Althoug the degree of armor protection remained
unchanged, the internal volume of the turret was increased
by 1.2 m². The improved TRP 2A independent sight was
installed for the commander. The majority of this version
Leopard went to the German 10th and 12th Panzer Divisions.
Fahrgestell Nr- for the Leopard 1A2/A3 are 14001-14999. The
combat weight was 42.5 tonnes.
Leopard 1A3A1 received the PZB 200 from the Leopard
2 in 1980 along with the A1 and A2.
The Leopard 1A3A2 was fitted with the digital SEM80/90
VHF radio (not PZB 200).
The Leopard 1A3A3 was fitted with the digital SEM80/90
VHF radio and PZB 200.
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Leopard 1A3 prepared for underwater operations.
With the shaft mounted over the commander's hatch, the tank
has a fording capability to a depth of 4 meters.
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 The
Bundeswehr took delivery of the first 250 vehicles from the
6th batch in 1974, designated Leopard 1A4. This version had
the welded turret introduced with the Leopard 1A3, but with
new integrated fire control system. This comprised the PERI
R12 stabilised independent sight for the commander, and the
EMES 12A1 stereoscopic rangefinder and gunner's primary sight
coupled to the fully stabilised main gun, controlled by a
ballastic computer. The optical head of the PERI R12 is installed
immediately in front of the commander's cupola on the turret
roof. Installation of the fire control system used up additional
space and consequently the ammunition load was reduced to
55 rounds, of which 42 were stored in the magazine to the
left of the driver.
A new designation was prepared for the Leopard 1A4, but it
was phased out before receiving the PZB 200 and SEM80/90 radios.
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 In
1980 a research programme was undertaken to study further
improvements to the Leopard 1, the aim being to maintain its
survuvability and combat effectiveness beyond the year 2000.
The tank was originally designed to combat the hordes of Soviet
T-55 and T-62's, but now faced the more modern and formidable
T-64B, T-72B, and T-72M1. The expected T-80B posed an even
greater threat; the Leopard 1 would now have to operate effectively
at night and poor visibility as well as shoot quickly and
accurately on the move. Accordingly, a new thermal sight and
fire control/ballistic computer fro the 105 mm main gun would
be needed so as to ensure good penetration performance against
increasingly sophisitcated Soviet armor.
After comparative trials, in December 1983 the Krupp-Atlas
Electronik EMES 18 fire control system was selected. It was
planned to convert 1,225 Leopard 1A1A1, re-designeted Leopard
1A5. The first modified vehicle was delivered to the Bundeswehr
in early 1987.
The EMES 18 fire control system was developed from the proved
EMES 15 installed in the Leopard 2. At its heart is the Hauptzielfernrohr
(HZF) or primary sight, the optical block of which is installed
in an armored housing on top of the turret to the right-hand
side. This housing contains the thermal imaging system (made
by Carl Zeiss) for target observation and acquisition at nigh
or in bad weather, optical sighting lenses, as well as the
laser rangefinder. The sights are viewed throug a 45°
mounted movable gyro stabilized mirror. Two flaps provide
protection when the sight or rangefinder is not in use. It
is possible to view through a small hole in the right flap.
The TEM 2A stereoscopic sight was removed, the resultant apertures
on the turret sides being sealed with circular armored plates.
The ballistic computer is installed below the commander's
seat on the bottom base plate of the turret. Derived from
the one used in Leopard 2. The system stores ballistic information
for up to seven different types of ammunition and is able
to compute targeting solution out to 4000 m. The Danes fires
their Leopard at a greater range, using hand help calculators
to compute the sighting point. A built-in test/fault system
locates any malfunctioning components. The computer control
panel, installed above the gunner's seat, is common to Leopard
2.
The commander's TRP independent sight was retained, but is
slightly taller for a clear view over the housing of the EMES
18. The original telescope (TZF 1A) for the gunner remained
unchanged as a back up sight. A muzzle reference system was
introduced, a Carl Zeiss colliminator being fitted at the
end of the barrel for the gunner to rapidly check the adjustment
of the HZF primary sight and main gun. The new SRK (Steuer
und Regelkonzept) servo-hydraulic turret control system became
available during the Leopard 1A5 conversion programme. From
1988, those vehicles already converted and delivered with
the existing Cadillac-Gage system were retrofitted with the
SRK. The Norwegian Leopard A5NO and A5NO2 were fitted with
an all-electric turret control system with no hydraulic parts.
A crucial part of the Leopard 1upgrade was the introduction
of more effective main gun ammunition, specifically APFSDS
(armor piercing fin stabilized discarding sabot) rounds with
advanced armor penetration material.
The running gears was also further improved with the addition
of strengthened torsion bar suspension and shock absorber
mointings. Other details changes included fitting hookeyes
to vehicles in the 1st and 2nd batches and adding a cleaning
system for the driver's vision blocks.
The Leopard 1A5A1 was fitted with the digital SEM80/90
VHF radio.
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Most Leopards used by NATO countries today have this level of
upgrade.
More pictures in the gallery |
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 Interestingly,
a single Leopard 1A5 was fitted with a Rheinmetall 120 mm
smooth-bore gun for trials purposes. Althoug successful (all
Leopard 1A5 being adapted to carry the weapon), plans to retrofit
the 120 mm gun were eventually abandoned as being too impractical.
The project ended in 1987. Note the additional armor mounted
on the turret.
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120 mm main gun. Only teste on one tank.
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- Prototype for the testing of a remote control
- reequipped leopard 1A5
- three cameras for driver fahrerwinkelspiegel
- two cameras for consideration
- in each case a camera for optics commander/gunner
- transfer of the appropriate control commands over radio
- controlling of the tank of a container with accurate control
positions for the crew
- tests successfully with sharp shot 1990 executed, afterwards
adjustment of the project
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Never put in service.
Source Kampfpanzer.de |
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 France's
Giat Industries has teamed with DMD of the Slovak Republic
to explore the feasibility of designing a low-profile turret
armed with Giat's 120mm smoothbore gun and autoloader, developed
for the Leclerc, to provide a cost-effective modernisation
package for older main battle tanks (MBTs).
The proposed T-21 turret is intended for installation on
T-72 series MBTs, therefore replacing the Soviet-built 125mm
gun, and older Western MBTs such as the M60 and the Leopard
1, which are armed with 105mm guns. The T-21 weighs 15 tons
compared to 18 tons for the Leclerc turret.
Compared to the Leclerc's autoloader, which carries 22 120mm
rounds, the T-21 would carry 18 rounds. Another compromise
would be a reduced level of armour protection, as at 15 tons
it is not possible to guarantee 360° protection against
hollow-charge warheads and protection against kinetic-energy
rounds on the frontal arc. To limit weight, frontal protection
has been reduced.
The fire-control system is a derivative of that of the Leclerc,
as are many other components, while the electronic system
is of the open architecture type, allowing easy interfacing
with countermeasure and battlefield management systems chosen
by the customer.
"We are able to provide nations that have numerous tanks
with good chassis and outdated turrets with a modern tank
that cost a fraction of that of a new MBT with 120mm armament,"
said a Giat source. Cost reduction is also linked to maintaining
existing logistical support for the chassis, and retaining
support equipment such as recovery vehicles and bridgelayers.
(Source: Giat)
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Upgrade turret avaiable
for the aging Leopard 1 design. |
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