The Lynx infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) is a state-of-the-art, highly protected, tracked armoured vehicle developed by Rheinmetall. The IFV was unveiled for the first time at Eurosatory 2016 exhibition held in June 2016.
The Lynx IFV is offered in two configurations, Lynx KettenFahrzeug (KF) 31 and KF 41. The KF 31 weighs up to 38t and accommodates three crew and six troops, whereas the KF 41 is an extended version with a capacity to carry three crew and eight infantrymen.
KF 31
KF 31 – rheinmetall-defence.com
A key feature of the Lynx combat family is its versatility. The Lynx comes in two versions: the KF31 and KF41 (KF stands for “Kettenfahrzeug”, or tracked vehicle in German). Weighing up to 38 tonnes, Lynx KF31 can seat 3+6 soldiers. Lynx KF41 is slightly larger and can carry 3+8 soldiers.
KF 31 – rheinmetall-defence.com
The Lynx can be configured for various roles:
- Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV),
- Command & control,
- Armoured reconnaissance,
- Repair & recovery or
- Ambulance.
KF-31 Armoured reconnaissance – rheinmetall-defence.com
KF-31 Armoured Personnel Carrier – rheinmetall-defence.com
KF-31 Repair & recovery – rheinmetall-defence.com
KF-31 Ambulance – rheinmetall-defence.com
A high degree of commonality in parts and components is another prominent feature of the Lynx family of vehicles. This simplifies logistic support and has a positive impact on training. Furthermore, customized service support is available worldwide – ranging from training and logistics to in-theatre repairs and technology transfer. Source rheinmetall-defence.com
Armament
KF 31 – Jane’s by IHS Markit
The Lynx IFV is mounted with a Rheinmetall LANCE turret armed with a stabilised and externally-powered 30mm or 35mm automatic cannon. The turret allows the crew to effectively engage targets at a maximum distance of 3,000m.
KF 31 RMG 7.62mm co-axial machine gun – JPW_FIDES twitter
The IFV can also be armed with an anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) launcher and a secondary remotely controlled weapon system mounted with a 7.62mm co-axial machine gun. The secondary weapon station is connected to the main optics. Source army-technology.com
KF-31 – dtrmagazine.com
Both variants can be configured as command and control, armoured reconnaissance, repair and recovery, and ambulance vehicles.
KF41 Lynx Command Variant
KF 41 command and control – Jane’s by IHS Markit
Command Variant is armed with a remotely controlled .50 Cal machine gun
Remote Weapon Station 12.7mm MG
Tamir Eshel, Defense-Update
Rheinmetall offers a family of fully digital and stabilized, remotely controlled weapon stations that can be integrated on various vehicle platforms and used for different mission profiles. Various sizes of weapons can be accommodated from small to medium calibres, including 40mm grenade launchers. The weapon station family is designed with a high level of commonality and modularity, and is fully compliant with military standards for human factors engineering. Our weapon stations meet a wide range of specific customer requirements such as:
- Integration of small and medium calibre weapons
- Integration of a broad variety of optical modules
- Operation as a standalone system or as part of a network of systems
Full stabilisation, super elevation, long-range day/night all-weather sights, smoke protection systems, and the capability to integrate NATO and non-NATO weapons are available options on certain models. Rheinmetall’s weapon stations are fielded for instance on vehicles with the Canadian Army, the Nexter VBCI for the French Armed Forces, the MPPV and AIV for the Belgium Army, and are integrated on the Fuchs APC for the Armed Forces of an international customer. Source rheinmetall-defence.com
Lynx Combat Support Vehicle (CSV)
Rheinmetall
The CSV was designed for the recovery and repair of combat vehicles as well as support for mobility and logistics. A five-tonne crane is mounted on the rear cover, which can be used to recover vehicles or move heavy loads. An additional tank enables the delivery of fuel to external consumers (field filling station). A dozer blade is mounted on the front, which can be fitted with fangs. For self-defense, a remote-controlled weapon station for machine weapons up to 12.7 mm and grenade machine launchers up to 40 mm is integrated on the roof.
The Lynx CSV as a derivative of the Lynx IFV uses a large number of the same components. This results in advantages in terms of training, operation and logistics when both vehicles are used in parallel. Source esut.de
Lynx 120 mechanised fire support vehicle
Armed with a 120mm smoothbore gun, a weapons system that was derived from the Leopard 2, as well as coaxial and .50 calibre machine guns, the vehicle was designed to provide additional fire support capabilities whilst on the battlefield.
According to the company, the new variant builds off of the KF41 chassis and is expected to enhance the operational capabilities of Lynx battle groups through its “plug-and-play” optionality, allowing the vehicle to be integrated with multiple off-the-shelf products in line with NATO requirements.
Such optionality extends to protective systems, enabling the vehicles to adapt to the specific needs of the battle space. This includes opportunities to integrate additional protection against ballistic and explosive threats such as the Rheinmetall Active Defence System.
Like other recent Lynx variants, the new system the new system similarly features 360-degree situational awareness technologies to enable automatic target detection. Source defenceconnect.com.au
Design and features of Lynx IFV
The Lynx IFV is based on a highly modular design concept, allowing for the integration of special mission kits to produce a specific variant. The mission kit comprises a specific roof, mission-specific installations and equipment.
KF 41 – ostrich-san.livejournal.com
The monocoque hull design of Lynx IFV houses power-pack in the front and exhaust system at the rear. Driver’ position is located on the left front side of the hull, whereas the crew is seated in a mission-neutral space.
KF 41 – rheinmetall-defence.com
The commander, gunner and driver are provided with hatch covers to enter and exit the vehicle. Crew can also ingress and egress the vehicle through the hydraulically-operated rear ramp. The vehicle also has a roof hatch at the rear of the crew compartment, which acts as an observation point and emergency exit.
KF 41 – rheinmetall-defence.com
Rheinmetall – The integrated technology group
Key features at a glance
Mission dynamics
-Superb force protection
-Extreme mobility
-Premium crew comfort
Superior battlefield awareness
-Exact orientation of the weapon stations and superior field awareness
-Instantaneous detection of specific threats
-Automatic target recognition and tracking
-Real time situational awareness
Armed to the teeth
-Main armament: 35mm Wotan cannon
-Main Sensor Slaved Armament/MSSA with 360° view
-Antitank guided missiles
-Counter strike with ADS and ROSY
Source rheinmetall-defence.com
Lynx IFV armament
KF 41 – Huang Yimin
The Lynx IFV is mounted with a Rheinmetall LANCE turret armed with a stabilised and externally-powered 30mm or 35mm automatic cannon. The turret allows the crew to effectively engage targets at a maximum distance of 3,000m.
30 mm x 173 / 35 mm x 228 WOTAN30 / WOTAN35
The WOTAN30 is an externally driven, medium-calibre automatic cannon with a rate of fire of 200rds/min. Easy to handle and highly reliable, the WOTAN30 can neutralize a wide variety of targets, making it the perfect choice for arming modern IFVs and other combat vehicles. The WOTAN35 is the latest member of the new WOTAN family and, due to its larger calibre, delivers longer range and deeper penetration than 30mm cannons. Source rheinmetall-defence.com
KF 41 – rheinmetall-defence.com
The IFV can also be armed with an anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) launcher and a secondary remotely controlled weapon system mounted with a 7.62mm co-axial machine gun. The secondary weapon station is connected to the main optics.
Rafael Spike LR2 ATGMs
KF 41 – DTR Magazine
Spike-LR II is smarter, sharper and agiler than its predecessors, but is designed to operate from the same launchers used for Spike MR and LR, in dismounted configurations, on vehicles, weapon stations, marine platforms, and helicopters. It will also fit the new lightweight launcher developed by RAFAEL for aerial platforms, enabling light helicopters to defeat tanks, vehicles or bunkers from ten kilometers away. The new missile will be presented for the first time at the Paris Air Show in June.
A view of the Spike LR II; it is fitted with an uncooled sensor and has an increased range of 5.5 km. (photo P. Valpolini)
Weighing 12.7 kg – 10% less than the legacy LR, Spike LR II provides major enhancements over the current LR variant -in lethality, range, and resolution. First and foremost, the new version enhances the Spike’s capability to defeat targets of all types – from main battle tanks with advanced, reactive and active protection, to fortified and evasive targets and those hidden in bunkers, buildings.
RAFAEL offers the missile with a choice of two warheads – an anti-tank missile optimized with an enhanced tandem warhead that increases armor penetration by 30 percent over the previous generation. Another advantage of the new missile is its ability to strike at higher impact angles – Spike LR II will be able to hit targets at up to 70 degrees, delivering more lethal top attack profile. According to RAFAEL, the SPIKE LR II is the only missiles known to have an inherent Counter-APS (CAPS) capability.
The second type is the multi-purpose version, provided with a different tandem warhead using multiple fusing presets designed to defeat light or fortified targets. The variable fusing enables the operator to set the fuse to penetrate a target or explode on impact. Designed to operate as a penetrating warhead, the missile’s warhead would breach a small hole through reinforced concrete, for the main charge to follow through.
The missile maintains the fiber-optic data link for man-in-the-loop control but the new missile can defeat those targets from an extended range of up to 5,500 meters. Source defense-update.com
KF 41 – Huang Yimin
Source rafael.co.il
RMG 7.62mm co-axial machine gun
KF 41 – Shephard Media
The RMG7.62, which is currently under development, is a foreign-powered, largely 7.62 mm x 51 mm, weapon that is largely sealed against environmental influences. All components necessary for remote operation are located in or on the weapon. Benchmarks of the design are high reliability, system security and easy safe handling. Thanks to the integration of all remote control functions and the cradle, the RMG 7.62 can be quickly installed in a variety of platforms. With the RMG7.62 NATO standard ammunition can be fired with the MG3 standard links.
New is the remote-controlled pipe exchange device with three tubes in a bundle: Is a pipe shot hot, electrically the tube bundle is rotated and so the manual manual pipe replacement electrically, realized under protection and brought a cool tube in firing position in less than 5 seconds. Nanocoatings and high-performance materials ensure a long service life. The weapon is completely ITAR free. The cadence of the weapon can be set to up to 800 rounds per minute. Due to the large stock of ammunition on the weapon, the high cadence and the automatic running change, the RMG7.62 is suitable as an effector for weapon stations or as a coaxial MG for combat and armored infantry fighting vehicles. The weapon is created in cooperation with the Bundeswehr. Source rheinmetall-defence.com
Observation and fire control
KF 41 – Rheinmetall YouTube
The turret houses two electro-optical (EO) sights including a stabilised electro-optical sensor system (SEOSS) panoramic sight with an integrated laser rangefinder and fire control system (FCS), and an SEOSS sector sight aligned with the main armament.
Seoss – Stabilized Electro-optical Sighting System
Seoss enables accurate engagement of targets while on the move, both day and night and under conditions of limited visibility. Perfect for high-end combat vehicles, Seoss stabilized electro-optical sensor system is a compact digital fire control unit. Featuring dual-axis stabilization, the Seoss can be mounted without difficulty to any suitable surface on the vehicle. It is equipped with a Saphir® thermal imaging device, a daytime camera and an eye-safe laser rangefinder. All the data necessary for evaluating the situation appear on a display conveniently located in the interior of the vehicle. Apart from the target, these include the system status, range and type of ammunition.
Main features
- Primary stabilized
- 2-axis stabilized sensor head with: Thermal imager 3rd generation, high resolution daylight CCD camera (optional), eyesafe laser range finder, integrated fire control and stabilization electronics
- Detection, recognition, identification and engagement of moving and stationary targets also on the move
- Interface to battle management system (optional)
- Very compact design and low weight
- Easy integration without extensive turret modification (no turret penetration)
- High degree of logistic communality between the versions (sector or panoramic)
- Available as Seoss-sector, Seoss-panoramic and Seoss-MOUT
Product variants
- Seoss-sector
- Seoss-panoramic
- Seoss-MOUT
Source rheinmetall-defence.com
KF 41 – Rheinmetall YouTube
Each EO sight can be operated by both the commander and the gunner; one of them ensures all-round visibility irrespective of the turret motion. The turret can be integrated with a situational awareness system (SAS), an additional commander’s sight, a laser warning system (LWS), an independent weapons station, an acoustic shot locator system and C4I systems.
The fully digital fire control system of LANCE ensures a high-precision rate of fire of 200 rounds a minute.
Self-protection of Lynx IFV
The modular design of Lynx IFV integrates ballistic armour, which protects the crew from anti-tank weapons, medium-calibre ammunition, shrapnel and shell splinters, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and bomblets.
rheinmetall-defence.com
The interior of the vehicle also incorporates a spall liner for additional protection against potential threats. The vehicle is also offered with mine and IED protection packages and decoupled seats for add-on protection.
The vehicle is optionally equipped with hard kill active defence system (ADS) for 360° passive protection against a wide range of attacks. The Rheinmetall SolarΣShield mobile camouflage system aboard the vehicle further reduces heat loading, as well as infrared, visual and radar signatures.
KF 41 – rheinmetall-defence.com
Lynx IFV diesel engine
The Lynx IFV is powered by a new generation COTS diesel engine, which develops a power output of 560kW (750hp) for the KF 31 and 800kW (1,050hp) for the KF 41 variant. The engine is coupled to a fully-automatic transmission system.
Liebherr diesel engine D9512 (KF 31)
The Liebherr diesel engine D9512 with 12 cylinders in V-arrangement and a displacement of 24,2 liters has a maximum power of 750kW at 1,900 revolutions. The engine features for regulated and unregulated markets identical performances, the same requirements for the machine‘s cooling system, and the same interfaces when installed. This enables the customer to use the same device design for different emission standards.
| Configuration | V-engine |
|---|---|
| Number of cylinders | 12 |
| Flywheel housing | SAE 0 / SAE 1 |
| Bore | 128 mm |
| Stroke | 157 mm |
| Displacement | 24.2 l |
| Power rating | 565 – 750 kW |
| Rated speed | 1,500 – 1,900 rpm |
| Max. torque | 4,675 Nm |
| Dimensions (L/W/H) | 1,856 / 1,236 / 1,314 mm |
| Dry weight | 2,050 kg |
| Auxiliary outputs (PTO) | 2 |
| Emission standards | EU Stage V / EPA Tier 4f / IMO III / EPA Tier 0 (Fuel consumption optimised) |
Source liebherr.com
The KF 31 engine was mated to an Allison automatic transmission.
KF 41 – rheinmetall-defence.com
Liebherr diesel engine D9612 (KF 41)
The Liebherr diesel engine D9612 with 12 cylinders in V-arrangement and a displacement of 27 liters has a maximum power of 1,100 kW at 1,800 revolutions. The engine features for regulated and unregulated markets identical performances, the same requirements for the machine‘s cooling system, and the same interfaces when installed. This enables the customer to use the same device design for different emission standards.
| Configuration | V-engine |
|---|---|
| Number of cylinders | 12 |
| Bore | 135 mm |
| Stroke | 157 mm |
| Displacement | 27.0 l |
| Power rating | 650 – 1,100 kW |
| Rated speed | 1,500 – 1,900 rpm |
| Max. torque | 6,230 Nm |
| Dimensions (L/W/H) | 1,839 / 1,262 / 1,338 mm |
| Dry weight | 2,350 kg |
Source liebherr.com
Renk HSWL 256 automatic 6-speed transmission (KF 41)
RENK’s transmissions of the HSWL 256 type represent the state of the art, and have been selected for use in the highly sophisticated PUMA infantry fighting vehicle used by the German Bundeswehr and for the British Army’s Ajax family. The HSWL 256 transmission is based on RENK’s extensive expertise as well as knowledge gained thanks to the ongoing consideration of practical experience. The HSWL 256 transmission combines a compact design with weight-optimized individual parts, guaranteeing both a long service life as well as the capability to safely move, steer and brake vehicles over a large weight range. This transmission has an outstanding track record for use in medium-weight vehicles.
Source renk-ag.com
Lynx IFV vehicle mobility
KF 41 – Rheinmetall YouTube
The forward hull integrates final drives, whereas the rear houses the idler sprockets with track tensioners. The running gear constitutes six road wheels per side, on either rubber or light metal tracks. The vehicle has a maximum speed of 70km/h.
The Lynx IFV can negotiate gradients of up to 60° and lateral slopes of 30°. It has the ability to cross ditches up to 2.5m-wide, ford water streams of up to 1.5m-deep and climb 1m-high vertical obstacles.
Specification
Source dtrmagazine.com
Images are from public domain unless otherwise stated
Main material source army-technology.com
Updated Feb 22, 2022
Thai Military and Asian Region 