Hosted by gatnerd
This is intended for people interested in the subject of military guns and their ammunition, with emphasis on automatic weapons.
Latest 19:09 by Mr. T (MrT4)
Latest 17:04 by JPeelen
Latest 17-Aug by SiverSurfeR
Latest 12-Aug by SiverSurfeR
Latest 12-Aug by Mr. T (MrT4)
Latest 10-Aug by autogun
Latest 3-Aug by nincomp
Latest 3-Aug by dudutin
Latest 1-Aug by stancrist
Latest 31-Jul by gatnerd
Latest 27-Jul by Guardsman26
Latest 7-Jul by Mr. T (MrT4)
Latest 26-Jul by Refleks
14-Jun
Rheinmetall just debuted the Panther KF51, widely being heralded as the Panther 2 on the internet:
A new tank for a new era: Panther KF51 is Rheinmetall's new main battle tank, setting unprecedented standards in lethality, protection, survivability, reconn...
Another forum had these specs (will need subsequent confirmation)
And some preliminary info on the 130mm; reportedly 50% more energy/effect then the 120mm.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rheinmetall_Rh-120#Rheinmetall_Rh-130_L/51
14-Jun
gatnerd said:widely being heralded as the Panther 2 on the internet:
Even though its technically the Panther 3. :)
gatnerd said:Another forum had these specs (will need subsequent confirmation)
THis is from the Rh homepage. It can be concidered confirmed.
Its important to keep a few things in mind to put the Panther into perspective. Its a pure industrial project. The German military has no stakes in it. Its a demonstrator to show what RH can currently offer. As such all configurations are optional. On the hompage Rh states the prototype is currently fitted with a new Rh RWS called Natter but any other can be fitted.
The Panther in essence is a upgraded Leopard hull with a significantly redesigned turret. So its actually a Leopard 2.5. This is the reason for the rather high weight. It also explains why it still uses a traditional crewed turret. Even though Rh states a crew in hull setup is also possible.
Most likely Rh wants to show that for a Leopard 3 project by the German military no international colaboration is needed. They are positioning themself should MGCS fail. Which is what it currently looks like. Should Rh manage to actually find customers MGCS will get even more unlikely.
14-Jun
schnuersi said:Most likely Rh wants to show that for a Leopard 3 project by the German military no international colaboration is needed. They are positioning themself should MGCS fail. Which is what it currently looks like. Should Rh manage to actually find customers MGCS will get even more unlikely.
They are doing much more than that, they are actively trying to make MGCS fail, with the help of people who didn't like the merge of KMW and Nexter.
And the announcement of the German government to buy F-35 is a signal that SCAF will probably fail also.
14-Jun
EmericD said:They are doing much more than that, they are actively trying to make MGCS fail, with the help of people who didn't like the merge of KMW and Nexter.
According to the people at KMW I talked to Nexter and the french MoD are doing a fine job of making it fail by themself.
EmericD said:And the announcement of the German government to buy F-35 is a signal that SCAF will probably fail also.
My knowledge of aircraft projects is limited but as far as I know F-35 and FCAS are two completly different things. FCAS is supposed to replace the Typhoon. F-35 is replacing Tornado. Which has to be replaced quickly. FCAS is sheduled for the '40s.
In the past multi national programs rarely really succeed. It got worse in the last decades. Even Tiger, one of the most high profile programs, is a hot mess. Most likely its best when the progams are national, maybe with some junior partners, and after they are finished they are sold on the market. This way everybody can decide what fits their needs best.
14-Jun
schnuersi said:Most likely its best when the progams are national, maybe with some junior partners, and after they are finished they are sold on the market. This way everybody can decide what fits their needs best.
Or just industry. like AW149, which currently is my favourite chopper in that weight class.
14-Jun
gatnerd said:Rheinmetall just debuted the Panther KF51...
With a .50 Browning coax. Truly amazing that a WWI machine gun is still used in a 21st century tank.
New KF-51 Panther, A Radically New MBT with 130mm cannon and loitering ammunition - YouTube
14-Jun
stancrist said:ruly amazing that a WWI machine gun is still used in a 21st century tank
14-Jun
In related news, another Magnum Tank concept was debuted, this with a 140mm cannon:
-Nexter 140mm ASCALON cannon
-The Inevitable M2 .50 as COAX to 140mm
-Nexter ARX30 30x113mm autocannon (Airburst?) on a RWS
-7.62 MG coax with commanders sight
14-Jun
More info on the KF51 and the related Procurement Politics as pertains to the MGCS:
15-Jun
I seriously doubt that Rheinmetall is using Browning M2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rheinmetall_RMG.50