The KF31 of 2016
The KF31, unveiled in 2016, carries an Allison X300 series automatic transmission and seats six personnel beyond its three operating crew. Power is from a 750 horsepower diesel-fueled unit offering road speeds reaching 65 kmh. The armament fit is centered on the Lance 1.0 turret emplacement.
The KF41 of 2018
The 44-tonne KF41, debuted in 2018, is dimensionally larger than the KF31 and has the Renk transmission fit while carrying eight combat-ready personnel. Power is from a 1,140 horsepower unit offering road speeds reaching 70 kmh. The armament fit is the Lance 2.0 turret emplacement which carries several primary and secondary survivability systems as well as the electrically-powered 35mm autocannon firing 35x228mm projectiles. The mission pods along each side of the turret can support ATGM launchers to enhance the vehicle's tactical value, particularly against enemy tank and other vehicle threats at range, and can also house battlefield UAVs which can be dispensed in a kamikaze-like role, serve to gather intelligence on enemy strength and positions, or actively jam enemy communications. The onboard systems allow for automatic target identification-and-tracking while also firing on-the-move thanks to its digital control scheme. Turret vision, and its natural traversal span, is a full 360-degrees. The KF41 model has a payload of up to 6 tonnes for maximum mission flexibility.
KF41 Modularity
The KF41 marks the beginning of a whole new generation of combat vehicles centered on a modular-minded battle chassis suitable to take on other needed battlefield roles. These "mission kits" allow the ICV to become a multipurpose APC, battlefield ambulance, Command and Control (C2), or Armored Recovery Vehicle (ARV) with some modifications to the hull structure (and appropriate equipment being added - usually at the expense of the original turret fitting of the IFV model). Rheinmetall claims their vehicle can be modified to a new battlefield role in as little as eight hours and the benefits of cost, maintenance, and logistics of a shared chassis are certainly obvious. Even the systems architecture within is modular and adaptable to suit customer requirements. Likewise, protection levels are modular and can be organized in a way to suit the mission need and current fighting environment.
KF41 Survivability
Survivability of the KF41 centers on ballistics, missile, mine, and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) protection. Again, the armor protection scheme is designed to be as modular as possible to support modification of the vehicle "in-the-field" and to the current battlefield danger. While other front-line combat vehicles reduce weight by thinning out top-facing surfaces, the Lynx enhances this traditionally weak area by including protection again lighter-minded, cluster-based munitions attempting to disable the vehicle from above. There is also active/passive missile protection offered by systems installed in the turret which is critical to surviving the threat of the ATGM as well as the more irregular aspects of the Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) weapon.
Lynx Outlook
The Lynx could very well be the future of the Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV) for many leading world powers in the next decade for it showcases the needed protection scheme, drive power and performance, and inherent firepower required on the modern battlefield - a battlefield whose doctrine has since been rewritten by the recent fighting in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria.
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