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Spähpanzer Luchs



Overview


Spähpanzer Luchs

Spähpanzer Luchs in the field. Note the size of the vehicle compared to its crew.

Source: Unknown author - © Copyright lies with original owner

Origin
Germany
Type
Reconnaissance vehicle
Entered service
1975
Status
Out of service
Development
1968 - 1974
Developer
Germany - Porsche
Production
1975 - 1977
Producer
Germany - Thyssen-Henschel
Number produced
408
Notable users
Germany

Description


The Luchs is a reconnaissance vehicle of German origin. It was developed to replace the earlier SPz 11 tracked scout vehicle in West German service. The Luchs was acquired only by West Germany. In German service the Luchs was replaced by the smaller Fennek reconnaissance vehicle.

The Luchs is a very large wheeled vehicle with good mobility. A unique feature is that the Luchs can drive as fast in reverse as it can forwards. In reverse the rear facing radio operator acts as the driver. The two man turret is armed with a 20mm Rh-202 autocannon.

Details


Facts Luchs
General
Origin
Germany
Type
Reconnaissance vehicle
Crew
4 (commander, driver, gunner, radio operator / reverse driver)
Dimensions
Weight
19.6 t
Length
7.34 m
Width
2.98 m
Height
2.84 m overall
2.5 m turret roof
Main armament
Type
20mm Rh-202 autocannon
Single feed in early models, double feed in A1 and A2
Mount
Turret
Ammunition
375 rounds in total
300 HE-T and 75 AP-T
Traverse
360 degrees, powered
Stabilizer
No
Secondary armament
Type
7.62mm MG3 machine gun
Mount
Flexible mount on turret roof
Chassis
Chassis type
Wheeled, 8x8
Steering
4 axle steering up to 50 km/h
Suspension
Hydraulic
Propulsion in water
Twin propeller
Automotive
Engine
Daimler-Benz OM 403A 10-cylinder 4-stroke turbocharged multifuel
Power output
390 hp @ 2.500 rpm with diesel
300 hp with petrol
Mobility
Max speed
90 km/h on roads
90 km/h on roads in reverse
10 km/h afloat
Range
730 km
Power to weight ratio
15.4 - 19.9 hp/t
Turn radius
12 m
Obstacle crossing
Wall
0.6 m
Trench
1.9 m
Fording
Amphibious
Protection
Armor type
Steel
NBC system
Yes
Smoke
2x4 smoke grenade discharger

Media


Related articles


Sd.Kfz. 234/1

The Spähpanzer Luchs shares many design principles with the World War 2 era Sd.Kfz. 234/1. These include the low noise 8x8 chassis, rear facing radio operator doubling as reverse driver and 20mm autocannon armament.

20mm Rheinmetall Rh-202

The 20mm MK 20 autocannon is the main armament of the Luchs.