KNDS Main Ground Combat System: a new attempt to create an "international" tank

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A number of foreign tanks The latest models are quite old. The newest models appeared in the eighties, and since then they have just undergone modernization. The creation of a completely new combat vehicle is associated with known difficulties, and not all countries can develop such a project on their own. In this regard, they have to join forces and organize joint work of a number of organizations. The result of a new attempt to create a joint project should be a promising tank, so far known as the Main Ground Combat System.

Currently, the armored forces of Germany are built on the basis of the Leopard 2 tanks of several modifications. The French Army has the main Leclerc tanks. The first modifications of these cars appeared in the seventies and eighties, respectively, and later this equipment was regularly upgraded. Attempts to develop completely new tanks were not undertaken due to the lack of need and the necessary funding.



KNDS Main Ground Combat System: a new attempt to create an "international" tank
The appearance of the MGCS tank proposed in 2016


However, over time, the situation has changed. In 2012, there was a proposal to create a joint French-German project of a promising tank that meets modern requirements and is able to remain in service in the distant future. At the same time, a cooperation agreement was signed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (Germany) and Nexter Defense Systems (France). In the coming years, these organizations planned to work on the look of a new "international" tank, and then proceed to design.

It should be recalled that the agreement on the creation of a joint tank was signed amid reports of the development of a promising Russian project. At that time, Russia was developing the universal Armat platform and a tank based on it, which later became known as the T-14. Accurate information about the future of the Russian tank was not available at that time, but it was obvious that it would surpass the Leopard-2 and Leclerc in its characteristics. Thus, European countries had to find a worthy response to the potential threat in the form of T-14.

The next few years, the specialists of the two countries spent on various studies and studies of the future of land armored vehicles. A new step in creating a common tank was made in 2015. Appeared and soon the proposal was fulfilled in the combination of two companies participating in the project. A new venture connecting KMW and Nexter was originally called KANT. Later it was renamed KNDS. It was assumed that the organization of such a company optimizes the development of the project, as well as simplifies the promotion of finished products on the international market.

At the beginning of 2016, the combined French-German enterprise presented the first information about the promising design of the main tank. The concept of the new machine was developed as part of a project called Main Ground Combat System called Ground Ground Combat System. KNDS announced the basic requirements for a promising tank, and also demonstrated the intended appearance of such a machine. It was noted that the proposed appearance of armored vehicles is not final. Over the next few years, the joint venture should continue to work on the project, up to the formation of the optimal configuration.

From 2016 to 2018, KNDS repeatedly published new materials on a promising project. At the same time, the existing picture has not seriously changed. According to official reports, the designers continue to work out the previously proposed appearance of the equipment. Its cardinal processing was not supposed. At the same time, various proposals were made in the field of weapons, control systems, communications, etc.

In June, 2018, the year was announced to expand the list of participants in the MGCS program. The German and French military departments joined the joint venture formed by the firms of the two countries. Now the development of the future tank and other models of armored vehicles will be carried out with the support and supervision of potential operators. It is assumed that in the distant future the MGCS tank will replace the existing Leopard 2 and Leclerc machines, and therefore their current owners should be able to influence the promising project.

According to the reports of recent months, the proposed concept of the MGCS version of 2016 of the year has not undergone dramatic revision, but has changed noticeably. Appeared proposals of various kinds, affecting individual components of the machine and affecting its capabilities. In addition, relatively recently, a proposal appeared on the further development of the MGCS tank and the creation on its basis of a new self-propelled artillery Common Indirect Fire System. However, the new ACS should appear much later than the tank.

According to official reports from KNDS, the new MGCS project in its current state provides for the construction of a main battle tank of a classic layout, based on a number of learned solutions. At the same time, it is proposed to use new concepts and ideas that have not yet been applied in European tank building. As a result, an armored combat vehicle must appear, having advantages over the existing Leclerc and Leopard.

It is indicated that the new tank should have a number of means of protection of various kinds, able to withstand all major threats. Combined booking of the hull and turret will be complemented by dynamic protection. Armor and overhead elements will have to provide protection from both projectiles of various types, as well as from mines or explosive devices. Optical devices will have special protection against laser radiation, preventing the "blinding" of the tank and its crew.

The MGCS tank will be able to get an expanded set of sensors and detection tools to enhance survivability on the battlefield. Optical, infrared, acoustic and other sensors can be used for this. It is proposed to develop a new laser-based optoelectronic suppression system. With its help, it will be possible to fight against the optics of the enemy, primarily with the sighting devices of anti-tank armored vehicles.


Tank Leopard 2A7 + - one of the latest German developments


Initially, the project Main Ground Combat System provided for the use of a promising smooth-bore gun caliber 130 mm as the main armament. Already in 2016, Rheinmetall demonstrated a prototype of such an instrument. However, it was later noted that for a number of reasons the MGCS tank could keep the caliber 120 mm, which is standard for these times. The possibility of consistent creation of various modifications of a tank with different armaments was also not excluded. A newer version could get enhanced weapon larger caliber.

Regardless of the caliber of the future weapon, its developers have several main tasks. First of all, it is necessary to increase the muzzle velocity of the projectile, which should lead to an increase in its energy and an increase in penetration ability. At the same time, scattering should be reduced and accuracy improved. It is planned to use new explosives with enhanced characteristics in the composition of projectiles and missile charges. To obtain growth in the basic indicators, modern and promising nanotechnologies can be used.

One of the ways to increase the combat potential is the use of promising guided missiles. To do this, it is necessary to work out the issues of improving and miniaturizing the guidance systems, including those with two-way communication. A self-guided projectile in combination with a gun of increased accuracy in an understandable way will affect the fighting qualities of the tank.

In the field of fire control systems, it is planned to develop already existing and mastered solutions. Search targets and guidance weapons will be carried out using optical-electronic means. By the time of the development of the technical design of the MGCS, a new component base is expected, due to which it will be possible to create improved sights. The same applies to electronic components of the SLA. In connection with the emergence of new types of projectiles with special capabilities, we should expect the introduction of appropriate devices to interact with them.

In the field of communications and management, German and French designers propose to continue the development of current relevant ideas and solutions. The vehicle’s on-board facilities must provide both voice communication and data transfer. The MGCS tank will have to operate within the network-centric system. He will be able to receive data from all available sources and transmit information to different consumers. In this area, the development of existing technologies will take place, aimed at improving the reliability of communication channels, increasing the speed of data transmission, etc.

As in other modern projects, the new French-German program will include measures aimed at obtaining savings. With all its advantages, a promising tank should have the lowest possible cost of production and operation. For this purpose it is planned to use only mastered technologies and components, as well as simplified structures with sufficient characteristics. Operation and maintenance can be simplified due to the presence of built-in monitoring systems that monitor the state of technology.

It should be noted that so far the joint venture KNDS has defined only the general features of the future main battle tank, and also presented several images showing the possible appearance of this vehicle. At the same time, the development of a technical project has not yet begun. This stage of work will be launched only in the medium term, which is associated with special requirements for equipment and objective restrictions of various kinds.

According to the plans of KNDS, the main development work on the program of the Main Ground Combat System will start in 2019 year. By the middle of the decade, the designers will complete the design, and then an experienced tank of a new model will be built. The first half of the thirties will be spent on tests, refinement and preparation for future mass production. Thus, the stage of research and development work in total will take about two decades, if you count from the moment of the formation of the joint venture.

The first production tanks of the new type will arrive in the army of France and Germany in 2035 year. In the early years, they will have to complement the existing Leclerc and Leopard 2 techniques of later upgraded versions. However, from a certain time, the current tanks will be decommissioned due to moral and physical obsolescence. The cancellation of some tanks and the supply of others will lead to a gradual change in balance, and as a result, the MGCS tank will become the main one not only by classification, but also by role in the troops.

The amount of technology required has not yet been clarified. Currently in the Bundeswehr serves more than three hundred tanks "Leopard-2" of various modifications. France has Leclerc 400 tanks. How to change the fleet of armored vehicles of the two countries in the coming decades is unknown. It is also questionable and the method of replacing these machines with new ones. Nevertheless, there is every reason to believe that in the future France and Germany will order several hundreds of promising tanks. However, their exact number will be determined later.


Modern French MBT Leclerc


It should not be forgotten that French and German armored vehicles are definitely popular with foreign countries. In addition, it must be borne in mind that one of the goals of creating the KNDS company was to simplify the export of military products "bypassing" the restrictions of German law. Thus, it cannot be excluded that from a certain time MGCS will be offered for export. However, which countries exactly want to buy such equipment is a big question.

***

For a number of well-known reasons, the European countries in recent decades have not been engaged in the development of completely new tanks, preferring to modernize their existing models. Such an approach, on the whole, justified itself and allowed for the renewal of troops with reduced costs. However, such techniques involve the use of existing armored vehicles, which can not serve indefinitely. The threat of physical obsolescence, as well as the emergence of a fundamentally new foreign model, led to the start of a full-fledged project.

The program of Main Ground Combat System actually started at the beginning of this decade, but still remains in its early stages. At first, foreign companies determined the need to create a new project, then they looked for the optimal order of cooperation and merged with each other. Only after that due attention was paid to the actual development of the project. However, in this case, the success of the program can not be called outstanding. For several years, it was possible only to form the appearance of a promising tank and determine its main features.

The creation of a real combat vehicle will take another 10-15 years - in the absence of serious difficulties that could disrupt the schedule of work. Then it will take some time to re-equip the troops and gradually replace obsolete equipment. It is not difficult to imagine when Germany and France will be able to boast of a full-fledged grouping of the newest tanks with the highest characteristics. In addition, you can try to predict the development of armored vehicles in other countries and predict what kind of tanks they will have by the time of the appearance of serial MGCS.

The specific risk in the context of the MGCS program is related to the interaction of the developing countries. It should be recalled that this is not the first attempt to create a joint project of the main tank for several countries. The previous similar project failed, as a result of which France had to create its “Leclerc”, and Germany developed “Leopard-2”. So far, there are no guarantees that KNDS will be able to bring the next idea of ​​an “international” tank to the desired results.

However, despite all the weak points and specific deadlines, the project Main Ground Combat System is of great interest from different points of view. First of all, it shows that Germany and France see the prospects of their armored forces and link their development in the distant future only with fundamentally new main tanks. In the coming years, the Leopard 2 and Leclerc type machines will continue to serve, but in the future they will have to give up their place to a newer and more sophisticated model. Unless, of course, it will appear on time.

On the materials of the sites:
https://kmweg.com/
http://knds.com/
http://isl.eu/
https://armyrecognition.com/
https://janes.com/
http://dw.com/
https://welt.de/
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  1. +1
    12 November 2018 06: 32
    This tank looks more like a further modification of the Leo-2 than something completely new. and of course this is very interesting:
    One of the ways to increase the combat potential is the use of advanced guided missiles.
    It would be interesting to see how they do it? How to "drive" a javelin or "spike" through a tank barrel when fired
  2. +6
    12 November 2018 07: 58
    Judging by the text, the Europeans finally transferred the production of armored vehicles to the category of folk crafts at state support: they saw authentic souvenirs from grandfather's samples. Not a single serious decision requiring the customer to take responsibility (at least about switching to a crew of 3 people) - not a word. On the integration of existing commercial technologies into the project - zero.
    1. 0
      3 February 2019 08: 20
      Quote: Cherry Nine
      (at least about the transition to a crew of 3 people
      According to the most secret information - in Leclerc 4th extra.
  3. -1
    12 November 2018 10: 44
    Ha. They are simply in no hurry, waiting for more changes in weapons to accumulate. And before that it’s more convenient to upgrade the old ...
  4. +1
    12 November 2018 10: 58
    The concept of the new machine was developed as part of a project called the Main Ground Combat System
    The MGCS tank will be able to get an expanded set of sensors and detection tools that contribute to increased survivability on the battlefield.
    1. -1
      12 November 2018 17: 46
      What 10 years - the Germans will make this tank in 5 years in flight, the base is the same Leopard 2A7 - only with a front engine compartment and 130 mm cannon, the tower will not make any work under it.
  5. +1
    12 November 2018 11: 11
    there will not be such a joint tank of such joint projects in the USA and in West Germany and France and the Germans, all in the end, at a certain point, go home with their own vision, the same thing will happen this time
  6. 0
    12 November 2018 13: 12
    How many similar projects of "international tanks" have reached the series? I won't remember a single one.
    As soon as the requirements get at least some kind of finished look and the implementation begins, all potential project executors will begin to pull the blanket over themselves and prove that their implementation is the best, and the rest do not stand a couple of tracks on the board. And in a couple of years they will scatter along holes - and each country will do what it needs.
  7. 0
    13 November 2018 05: 31
    Well, where is this technological singularity? Acceleration in one is more than compensated in the other. Although here it’s more likely about a certain cut of a bean for two.
  8. 0
    19 December 2018 18: 34
    All the weapons that were currently in service in all countries of the MBT were created at the peak of the Cold War. They made sense. Now, except for us and the Yankees, it is not there. Again there is no clear understanding of the face of modern non-nuclear war between equivalent rivals. In local high-intensity conflicts, tanks have an auxiliary role, since the main battles take place in the city and in the suburban area where a lot of shelters and proper use of anti-tank systems negate all the advantages of the tank. Hence, the developers’s shy at various concepts. or our Armata platform.
    PS: The first international tank didn’t come out because of the participation of Americans who simply started pulling the blanket over themselves. They say that the primary concept of the second leo was that tank, but the Yankees didn’t like the tank to be built on European sites and as a result we have an abrash that originally in many ways it turned out worse than leo 2.

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