KF41
Contents
Description
The KF41 Lynx is a modern IFV design from the German Rheinmetall company, exported to the Hungarian Army. On July 31, 2024, the Hungarian army received its first KF41. The order was for 209 KF41s to be delivered in seven variants, ranging from the regular IFV, command variants with improved communications, all the way to medical transports and mortar carriers. By 2024, it is expected to receive 46 KF41s in the first delivery batch. The production of the vehicle was set up in a production plant in Zalaegerszeg with 51% investment from Rheinmetall and 49% from the Hungarian government.
It was introduced in Update "Sons of Attila" as part of the Hungarian branch of the Italian tech tree. The KF41 invites comparisons with the PUMA IFV; they are both heavily armed and armoured IFVs with good mobility and much heavier than their counterparts like the BMP-3 and the American Bradley IFV. Unlike the PUMA, however, the KF41 Lynx packs a heavier punch, thanks to its Spike fire-and-forget ATGMs and a unique AMAP-ADS hard-kill active protection system. However, it sacrifices aspects of the PUMA, like the unmanned turret, soft-kill APS, and ERA/NERA. Because of this, it is more vulnerable to attacks that the hard-kill APS cannot stop. Nevertheless, thanks to the Spike ATGMs and its good armour, it is a capable frontline and support vehicle, being able to achieve long-range kills with its ATGM against both tanks and helicopters. For the latter threat, it can also utilise its AHEAD rounds from the 30 mm autocannon which are more capable at dealing with air threats.
General info
Survivability and armour
Despite its contemporary design akin to the Puma IFV, the KF41 exhibits a notable shortfall in protection against conventional rounds, despite its capacity to intercept high-speed projectiles such as the DM53 and CL3143, which fall within the AMAP-ADS projectile speed threshold of 1,700 m/s. Nevertheless, it demonstrates commendable resilience against ATGMs and slower, high-calibre rounds, albeit exhibiting inconsistency in defense against non-missile or rocket projectiles. The inclusion of external fuel tanks positioned behind the Active Protection System serves to bolster armour capabilities, particularly against smaller calibre projectiles such as autocannons. However, the effectiveness of this additional protection is contingent upon various factors including impact angle, projectile type, and distance. The void spaces within the compartment enhance the vehicle's survivability, particularly when subjected to certain angles of attack.
Similar to the Puma, the crew compartment is compartmentalized, with the entire rear section, designated for infantry, remaining unoccupied. However, the absence of an unmanned turret represents a significant drawback, severely limiting the vehicle's ability to engage adversaries safely by exposing only the turret. A direct hit on the turret would result in near-immediate incapacitation. The primary survivability feature of the KF41 lies in its mobility and speed, enabling it to swiftly navigate the battlefield, evading enemy fire particularly in strategic chokepoints.
Armour type:
| Armour | Front (Slope angle) | Sides | Rear | Roof |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hull | ___ mm | ___ mm Top ___ mm Bottom |
___ mm | ___ - ___ mm |
| Turret | ___ - ___ mm Turret front ___ mm Gun mantlet |
___ - ___ mm | ___ - ___ mm | ___ - ___ mm |
| Cupola | ___ mm | ___ mm | ___ mm | ___ mm |
Notes:
Mobility
| Game Mode | Max Speed (km/h) | Weight (tons) | Engine power (horsepower) | Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward | Reverse | Stock | Upgraded | Stock | Upgraded | ||
| Arcade | 84 | 36 | 44 | 1,790 | 2,204 | 40.68 | 50.09 |
| Realistic | 76 | 33 | 1,022 | 1,155 | 23.23 | 26.25 | |
The mobility of the KF41 falls short when compared to similar armoured vehicles. Even heavily armoured counterparts like the T-80BVM and Leopard 2 series boast higher top speeds and overall mobility, highlighting the KF41's relatively lacklustre performance in combat, evidenced by its power-to-weight ratio of 26.3, in contrast to the T-80BVM's 27.2. Nonetheless, it maintains a respectable level of mobility, enabling the vehicle to swiftly navigate the periphery of the battlefield and deliver flanking manoeuvres against enemy vehicles.
Modifications and economy
| Mobility | Protection | Firepower | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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|
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Armaments
Main armament
The KF41 is equipped with the Mauser MK 30 automatic cannon, renowned for its powerful ammunition type and decent firing rate. While it may lack effectiveness against armoured vehicles in direct engagements, it proves highly advantageous for flanking manoeuvres and short-range anti-aircraft defense against helicopters or slow-moving, low-flying enemy jets. Operating within a group, it becomes instrumental in targeting critical components such as tracks or cannon barrels, thereby supporting allies engaged in frontal combat. It is advisable to utilize the APFSDS belt in most situations, reserving the AHEAD fragmentation belt for engagements with aircraft or lightly armoured vehicles.
| 30 mm MK 30-2/ABM | Turret rotation speed (°/s) | Reloading rate (seconds) | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mode | Capacity (Belt) | Fire rate | Vertical | Horizontal | Stabilizer | Stock | Upgraded | Full | Expert | Aced | Stock | Full | Expert | Aced |
| Arcade | 348 (116) | 200 | -10°/+45° | ±180° | Two-plane | 57.1 | 79.1 | 96.0 | 106.2 | 113.0 | 0.26 | 0.23 | 0.21 | 0.20 |
| Realistic | 35.7 | 42.0 | 51.0 | 56.4 | 60.0 | |||||||||
Ammunition
| Penetration statistics | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammunition | Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm) | ||||||
| 10 m | 100 m | 500 m | 1,000 m | 1,500 m | 2,000 m | ||
| APDS | 87 | 86 | 81 | 75 | 70 | 65 | |
| HEI-T | 9 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 3 | |
| Ahead | 44 | 42 | 34 | 26 | 20 | 16 | |
| APFSDS | 121 | 119 | 111 | 97 | 93 | 83 | |
| Shell details | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammunition | Velocity (m/s) |
Projectile mass (kg) |
Fuse delay (m) |
Fuse sensitivity (mm) |
Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (g) |
Ricochet | ||||||
| 0% | 50% | 100% | ||||||||||
| APDS | 1,480 | 0.19 | - | - | - | 75° | 78° | 80° | ||||
| HEI-T | 1,080 | 0.36 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 54.4 | 79° | 80° | 81° | ||||
| Ahead | 1,100 | 0.36 | 0.2 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 79° | 80° | 81° | ||||
| APFSDS | 1,405 | 0.16 | - | - | - | 78° | 80° | 81° | ||||
Ammo racks
| Full ammo |
1st rack empty |
2nd rack empty |
3rd rack empty |
4th rack empty |
5th rack empty |
6th rack empty |
Visual discrepancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | __ (+__) | __ (+__) | __ (+__) | __ (+__) | __ (+__) | __ (+__) | __ |
Additional armament
The KF41 is outfitted with Spike-LR2MR IR fire-and-forget missiles, which exhibit a somewhat inconsistent reliability. While they offer the potential as stand-off weapons effective against heavily armoured targets as well as slow-moving, low-flying aircraft, their reliability can vary based on several factors including the target's speed, launch angle, distance, and the carrier's velocity. Despite featuring a small warhead, they can inflict significant damage on enemy tanks upon successful penetration. The positioning of the launcher enables quasi No Line-of-Sight launches and top-down attacks, contingent upon factors and the target's exposure level, albeit rendering the missile ineffective at distances shorter than 400 m. Additionally, their capability for top-down attacks may encounter limitations, particularly against combat vehicles like Russian tanks equipped with additional ERA on the roof or heavily protected tanks featuring NERA components on the roof like the Strv 122 or Leopard 2A7.
| Spike-LR2MR missile | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity (Belt) | Vertical | Horizontal | Stabilizer |
| 4 (2) | - | - | - |
Ammunition
| Penetration statistics | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammunition | Type of warhead |
Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm) | |||||
| 10 m | 100 m | 500 m | 1,000 m | 1,500 m | 2,000 m | ||
| Spike-LR II | ATGM (tandem) | 900 | 900 | 900 | 900 | 900 | 900 |
| Missile details | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammunition | Type of warhead |
Velocity (m/s) |
Range (m) |
Projectile mass (kg) |
Fuse delay (m) |
Fuse sensitivity (mm) |
Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (kg) |
Ricochet | ||||
| 0% | 50% | 100% | ||||||||||
| Spike-LR II | ATGM (tandem) | 180 | 20,000 | 13.5 | 0.4 | 0.01 | 1.27 | 80° | 82° | 90° | ||
Ammo racks
| Full ammo |
1st rack empty |
2nd rack empty |
3rd rack empty |
4th rack empty |
5th rack empty |
6th rack empty |
Visual discrepancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | __ (+__) | __ (+__) | __ (+__) | __ (+__) | __ (+__) | __ (+__) | __ |
Machine guns
| 12.7 mm M2HB | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount | Capacity (Belt) | Fire rate | Vertical | Horizontal |
| Pintle | 1,200 (200) | 575 | -10°/+65° | -95°/+20° |
| 7.62 mm M240 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount | Capacity (Belt) | Fire rate | Vertical | Horizontal |
| Coaxial | 1,800 (200) | 941 | - | - |
Usage in battles
The KF41 can be likened to a larger-scale R3 T20 in its operational approach. Despite its armour offering limited protection against only certain types of threats, its agility and firepower lend themselves to a range of roles. In addition to its primary functions of flanking enemy positions and providing "combat medical" assistance, the KF41 excels as a platform for suppressive fire, capable of keeping adversaries pinned down while allies manoeuvre for advantageous positions. Furthermore, its designation as a budget anti-aircraft asset its adaptability in countering aerial threats, albeit with some limitations. While not equipped with the extensive defense systems of dedicated anti-aircraft platforms, its weaponry and its built-in IRST make it a formidable deterrent against helicopters and low-flying aircraft. On large scale battlefields like the Fields of Sinai, the KF41 emerges as a potent sniper unit, utilizing its Spike missiles to engage targets at extended ranges with precision and lethality. The strategic advantage of such long-range engagement capabilities cannot be overstated, allowing the KF41 to disrupt the enemy and neutralize high-value targets from afar. It's worth noting that while the KF41's Active Protection System provides an additional layer of defense, its reliability may vary in ground combat scenarios. However, commanders should always consider its potential effectiveness, particularly when facing off against airborne threats, where the APS can provide critical protection against incoming munitions.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Access to fire and forget missiles
- Powerful main armament
- Equipped with hard-kill APS, able to stop enemy munitions, including ATGMs
- Mobile for being a tracked platform
- Great elevation angles, can easily fend off against enemy aircraft if they're near
Cons:
- Very big profile
- Weak armour
- APS is too situational, does not work all the time
- Fire and forget missiles are very limited
- Cannon although powerful, has a low fire rate
History
Rheinmetall initiated the development of the KF series of combat vehicles to fill a noticeable gap in the market for tracked vehicles. The company aimed to create a design versatile enough to outperform direct competitors while still being able to efficiently carry out peacetime operations.
The vehicle was first unveiled in its lighter KF31 configuration in June 2016 at the Eurosatory exhibition. This debut was soon followed by the heavier KF41 variant, unveiled at the same event in 2018. By 2020, Rheinmetall had entered negotiations with several potential operators, including Australia, the Czech Republic, and the United States. Hungary became the KF41's first official operator in September of that year, placing an order for 218 vehicles.
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Media
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See also
External links
| Italy light tanks | |
|---|---|
| Italy | |
| L6/40 | L6/40 · L6/40 (31 Rgt.) |
| M11/39 | M11/39 |
| Autoblindo | AB 41 · AB 43 |
| Fiat 6614/6616 | FIAT 6614 · AUBL/74 · AUBL/74 HVG |
| R3 Capraia | R3 T106 FA |
| Centauro | Centauro I 105 · Centauro I 105 R · Centauro I 120 · Centauro RGO · VRCC |
| Freccia | VBC (PT2) · Freccia |
| Dardo | Dardo · VCC-80/60 · VCC-80/30 |
| Other | C13 T90 |
| USA | ▄M3A3 · ▄M24 · ▄M18 |
| Hungary | |
| WWII | Csaba · Toldi IIA |
| Post | ◔BTR-80A · KF41 |
