Spähpanzer Luchs

The all-wheel drive Luchs made by [[Thyssen-Henschel]] (now: [[Rheinmetall]]) is well armoured, has an [[CBRN defense|NBC protection]] system and is characterized by its low-noise running. The eight large low-pressure tires have run-flat properties. At speeds up to about 50 km/h, all four axles can be steered. As a special feature, the vehicle is equipped with a rear-facing driver with his own driving position. Up to the first combat effectiveness upgrade in 1986, the Luchs was fully amphibious and could surmount water obstacles quickly and independently using propellers at the rear and the fold back trim vane at the front.

The all-wheel drive Luchs made by [[Thyssen-Henschel]] (now: [[Rheinmetall]]) is well armoured, has an [[CBRN defense|NBC protection]] system and is characterized by its low-noise running. The eight large low-pressure tires have run-flat properties. At speeds up to about 50 km/h, all four axles can be steered. As a special feature, the vehicle is equipped with a rear-facing driver with his own driving position. Up to the first combat effectiveness upgrade in 1986, the Luchs was fully amphibious and could surmount water obstacles quickly and independently using propellers at the rear and the fold back trim vane at the front.

The 20 mm [[Rheinmetall MK 20 Rh 202]] gun in the [[gun turret|turret]] is similar to the one in the [[Marder (IFV)|Marder]] [[IFV]]. The upgrade to the Luchs A1 starting in 1986 included the incorporation of a thermal observation and gunnery system, which replaced the original [[infrared]]/white light [[Night vision|night vision system]] mounted to the left of the turret. VHF radios have been the German SEM 25 / SEM 35 FM short range radios from LORENZ. HF long-range radio was the AN/GRC 9 with the LV 80 100 Watts RF amplifier for Morse Code. This was replaced by the XK 405 100 Watts SSB HF radio made by Rohde&Schwarz in Germany and the incorporation of the new SEM 80/90 radio system gave it the designation SpPz 2 Luchs A2. The Luchs was replaced by the [[Fennek]] in [[Bundeswehr]] service.

The {{Convert|20|mm|in}} [[Rheinmetall MK 20 Rh 202]] gun in the [[gun turret|turret]] is similar to the one in the [[Marder (IFV)|Marder]] [[IFV]]. The upgrade to the Luchs A1 starting in 1986 included the incorporation of a thermal observation and gunnery system, which replaced the original [[infrared]]/white light [[Night vision|night vision system]] mounted to the left of the turret. VHF radios have been the German SEM 25 / SEM 35 FM short range radios from LORENZ. HF long-range radio was the AN/GRC 9 with the LV 80 100 Watts RF amplifier for Morse Code. This was replaced by the XK 405 100 Watts SSB HF radio made by Rohde&Schwarz in Germany and the incorporation of the new SEM 80/90 radio system gave it the designation SpPz 2 Luchs A2. The Luchs was replaced by the [[Fennek]] in [[Bundeswehr]] service.

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