Radkampfwagen 90

Radkampfwagen 90

Begleitpanzer 57

TAM 2C

Radkampfwagen 90

Begleitpanzer 57

TAM 2C

Germany

VII Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
9.7	9.7	9.7

Class:

Light tank

Research:260 000

Purchase:710 000

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Description

The Radkampfwagen 90 is a rank VII German light tank with a battle rating of 9.7 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.97 "Viking Fury".

General info

Survivability and armour

Smoke grenades

Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle

Armourfront / side / back

Hull38 / 26 / 15

Turret122 / 45 / 29

Crew4 people

Visibility136 %

The Radkampfwagen 90, being a light tank, is surprisingly survivable. When talking about the survivability of this vehicle, it is best to separate the tank into two parts, the turret, and the hull.

The Hull

The hull of the Radkampfwagen 90 is the weakest part of the tank. While the hull does have "spaced armour", this is deceiving, as this will only protect you from HESH shells, and at its BR, HESH is effectively useless, and in any case, most players will not be using it as their main shell. When hit by HE shells, the hull of the Radkampfwagen is vulnerable to overpressure, but when hit with APFSDS, the tank can possibly survive a few hits, as long as the ammo is not detonated. In conclusion, the Radkampfwagen's hull, at least from the front, can protect against non-APFSDS autocannons, but the sides will be easily penetrated by even the Soviet 14.5 mm, and the rear by American .50 cals.

The Turret

The turret of the Radkampfwagen 90 is surprisingly bouncy and well armoured. It features, at least on the front and sides, spaced armour, but as mentioned before, this will only protect you from HESH and small calibre AP and HE rounds. The turret face also features many weird angles, that have the possibility of ricocheting enemy rounds off of the sides. Another thing to note is that because of the large amounts of empty space in the turret, coupled with the lower damage of modern rounds, can allow you to survive multiple hits to the turret, even sometimes with enemy shells doing no damage. However, as with any armour, this should never be relied on, and should only be used as a last ditch effort.

In conclusion, you can take hits sometimes, but in any case, it is better to not get spotted or hit in the first place, and to get the first shot off.

Unlike other light tanks, with the exception of the turret ring, your front is immune to all heavy machine guns and most autocannon rounds (from IFVs and SPAA for example)!

This allows you to engage such vehicles with relative ease and destroy them whereas other light vehicles would get penetrated killed.

Armour Type

• High Hardness Rolled Armour (HHRA)
• Rolled Homogeneous Armour (RHA)
• Cast Homogeneous Armour

Armour	Front (Slope angle)	Sides	Rear	Roof
Hull	38 mm (75°) Upper glacis 38 mm (46°) Frontal plate Spaced armour (29 mm HHRA, 200 mm Air, 38 mm RHA) Lower glacis 10 mm Sponsons	10 mm Top 29 mm Bottom	15 mm Engine compartment 10 mm Sponsons	20 mm Crew compartment 10 mm Sponsons 5 - 15 mm Engine deck
Turret	50 mm Upper front Spaced armour (38 mm HHRA, 127 mm Air, 84 mm RHA) Lower front 33 mm (67°) Upper mantlet Spaced armour (33 mm HHRA, 120 mm Air, 26 mm RHA) Lower mantlet 38 mm Mantlet sides	Spaced armour (38 mm HHRA, 127 mm Air, 84 mm RHA) Side front Spaced armour (16 mm HHRA, 80 mm Air, 29 mm RHA) Side rear	29 mm + 10 mm	20 mm Turret roof 50 mm Rear mantlet top

Notes:

• There is a lining of 16 mm RHA between the sponsons and the crew compartment, creating spaced armour on the sides of the vehicle.
• There are optics apertures at the sides of the turret, which have a 50 mm armour plate and a 8 mm armour plate, along with the 20 mm optics. These are essentially a hole in the spaced armour of the turret sides, but most rounds go through the spaced armour anyway so it isn't really a weakness.
• Turret Ring - 50 mm
• Tires and Suspension - 10 mm

Mobility

Speedforward / back

AB112 / 39 km/h

RB and SB101 / 36 km/h

Number of gears5 forward

2 back

Weight30.8 t

Engine power

AB1 584 hp

RB and SB830 hp

Power-to-weight ratio

AB51.4 hp/t

RB and SB26.9 hp/t

Game Mode	Max Speed (km/h)		Weight (tons)	Engine power (horsepower)		Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
	Forward	Reverse		Stock	Upgraded	Stock	Upgraded
Arcade	112	39	30.8	1,286	1,584	41.75	51.43
Realistic	101	36		734	830	23.83	26.95

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB3 415 → 5 778

RB3 288 → 5 563

SB4 219 → 7 138

Total cost of modifications211 200

347 000

Talisman cost2 800

Crew training200 000

Experts710 000

Aces2 100

Research Aces1 080 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

140 / 170 / 220 %

232 / 232 / 232 %

Modifications

Mobility	Protection	Firepower
Tires Research: 9 100 Cost: 14 000 330 Suspension Research: 8 500 Cost: 13 000 310 Brake System Research: 8 500 Cost: 13 000 310 Filters Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 400 Transmission Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 440 Engine Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 440	Improved Parts Research: 2 700 Cost: 14 000 330 Improved FPE Research: 2 600 Cost: 13 000 310 Crew Replenishment Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 400 Smoke grenade Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 440	Horizontal Drive Research: 9 100 Cost: 14 000 330 105mm_usa_HESH_ammo_pack Research: 9 100 Cost: 14 000 330 105mm_NATO_APDS_FS_ammo_pack Research: 9 100 Cost: 14 000 330 Adjustment of Fire Research: 8 500 Cost: 13 000 310 Airstrike Research: 8 500 Cost: 13 000 310 Scout UAV Research: 8 500 Cost: 13 000 310 Elevation Mechanism Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 400 Improved optics Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 400 NVD Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 400 Artillery Support Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 440 105mm_DM33_APDS_FS_ammo_pack Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 440 Laser rangefinder Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 440

Armaments

Laser rangefinder

Reduces the error and increases the maximum measurable distance of the rangefinder

Night vision device

Improves visibility by enhancing natural light or active illumination.

Main armament

105 mm L7A3 cannon

Two-plane stabilizer

Reduces the swing of the gun in two planes while moving

Ammunition42 rounds

First-order11 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

8.7 → 6.7 s

Vertical guidance-9° / 20°

The L7A3 105 mm gun mounted on the Radkampfwagen 90 is the same as the gun that the Leopard 1 series uses, and is the same in many aspects. Similar to the Leopard A1A1, the gun is equipped with a two-plane stabilizer allowing for firing on the move. The gun also has faster targeting speed at 5.1 degrees per second compared the the Leopard 1's 3.1 degrees per second in the vertical plane, but the turret traverse speed of the Radkampfwagen, or horizontal targeting speed, certainly leaves something to be desired. A unique thing about this particular L7 is that it fires one of the best L7 APFSDS shells in the game, with higher penetration than even the first Rheinmetall 120 mm L44 APFSDS shell.

105 mm L7A3					Turret rotation speed (°/s)					Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode	Capacity	Vertical	Horizontal	Stabilizer	Stock	Upgraded	Full	Expert	Aced	Stock	Full	Expert	Aced
Arcade	42	-9°/+20°	±180°	Two-plane	22.85	31.62	38.40	42.47	45.18	8.71	7.70	7.10	6.70
Realistic					14.28	16.80	20.40	22.56	24.00

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
DM12	HEATFS	400	400	400	400	400	400
DM502	HESH	127	127	127	127	127	127
DM23	APFSDS	337	335	330	322	314	306
DM33	APFSDS	408	405	398	389	379	370

Shell details
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile Mass (kg)	Fuse delay (m)	Fuse sensitivity (mm)	Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g)	Ricochet
							0%	50%	100%
DM12	HEATFS	1,173	10.5	0.05	0.1	1,270	65°	72°	77°
DM502	HESH	732	14.85	0.1	4	4,310	73°	77°	80°
DM23	APFSDS	1,455	3.79	N/A	N/A	N/A	78°	80°	81°
DM33	APFSDS	1,455	3.79	N/A	N/A	N/A	78°	80°	81°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the Radkampfwagen 90

Full ammo	1st rack empty	2nd rack empty	3rd rack empty	4th rack empty	Visual discrepancy
42	31 (+11)	28 (+14)	12 (+30)	1 (+41)	No

Notes:

• The 4th rack is a first stage ammo rack, so it refills from the other racks in the designated order.

Machine guns

7.62 mm MG3A1 machine gun (coaxial)

Ammunition4 000 rounds

Belt capacity200 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

10.4 → 8.0 s

Fire rate1 200 shots/min

The coaxially mounted 7.62 mm MG3A1 is, in most situations, not useful. While being able to "blind" opponents by shooting at their optics, as with any MG, and able to easily dispatch of vehicles with exposed crew that have uptiered themselves, such as the M56, 2 factors really hold this MG back from being truly useful. These are:

• The MG is mounted coaxially, limiting its traverse and AA capabilities (especially against helicopters)
• This MG has very low penetration, as almost any thin armoured plate can withstand its fire

7.62 mm MG3A1
Mount	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal
Coaxial	4,000 (1,000)	1,200	N/A	N/A

Usage in battles

General Playstyle

The Radkampfwagen 90 may be used in a flanking manner thanks to its speed, being able to go around the enemy and surprise them where they do not expect. When flanking, it is recommended to use roads if possible, as the Radkampfwagen is a wheeled vehicle, and rough terrain will slow it down. However, even offroad, the vehicle is still capable of speeds that are much higher than many other contemporary MBTs. The scouting ability of the Radkampfwagen can also be very useful, as it can help you support your team without risking the possibility of being spotted/noticed by firing your gun. The only downside to this playstyle is that the Radkampfwagen is unusually large in size, most notably the hull, which makes it easier to be spotted.

The Radkampfwagen may also be used in a playstyle of a fast MBT. While the hull of the Radkampfwagen is weak, not really well armoured, and prone to overpressure damage, and easy to hit, the turret of the vehicle has multiple well angled and very bouncy plates, both interior and exterior, which allows the turret to sometimes take hits without damage, or even ricochet some shells. This bouncy turret can be used in a hull-down position, like a ridgeline, or a pile or rubble. However, it is important to note that even though enemy shells have a chance of bouncing, it is best not to rely on this, and to use the vehicle's stabilizer and situational awareness to get the first shot off.

Arcade Battles

In Arcade, the playstyle of the Radkampfwagen changes a bit. Due to markers that will tell everyone where the Radkampfwagen is, flanking is not as good of a strategy. However, the vehicle retains all other advantages, and due to the slight engine boost in arcade, will be able to hit very high speeds even offroad. Of course, enemies will also be faster in general, which makes this extra speed redundant. The vehicle's scouting abilities are useful in aiding the team. Your gun, for its tier, is good, and its decently low shell drop will aid in those long range shots that are common in arcade. Just remember - this is a light vehicle in a game mode where it can't really hide, so when playing this vehicle in Arcade, be cautious.

Realistic Battles

In Realistic, the Radkampfwagen's speed and scouting abilities are even more prominent. As mentioned above, it can flank around the enemy with stealth, and either scout enemies for the team or quickly knock them out with its very punchy gun. The team also will benefit from its scouting abilities, as in a game mode without enemy markers, intel on the enemies whereabouts can be crucial to the team's victory.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Very mobile and very fast on both roads and cross-country terrain
• Has DM33 round available for research
• Very competitive, gun performs great even in uptiered battles
• Hull is resistant against most heavy machine guns
• Spaced armour in the front and is resistant against low calibre SPAA and IFV fire
• Same turret as the Leopard 2K, can sometimes bounce shots
• Is not sluggish at low speed
• Great reverse speed
• Has great optics (8x-16x zoom), making it a great sniper

Cons:

• Does not have anti-aircraft machine gun
• Can be destroyed with overpressure by HE shells, artillery strikes and bombs
• Does not have thermal sights, putting it at a disadvantage of other vehicles at its rank
• Has a large silhouette
• Only average turret rotation of 24°/sec spaded, below average for such a mobile vehicle which would benefit from better gun handling (i.e. like the Rooikat)
• Is littered with ammo

History

In the early 1980s, the German Federal Ministry of Defence, known as the Bundesministerium der Verteidigung (BMVg) in German, initiated a program to produce an eight-wheeled combat vehicle. The reason for the program's creation was the success of the Spähpanzer 2 Luchs and the Transportpanzer Fuchs, along with vehicles operated by other countries, such as the French AMX-10RC. Daimler-Benz was tasked with the construction of such a vehicle, and the requirements were for an 8 x 8 wheeled combat vehicle with a weight of less than 30 tons and a powerful armament and adequate armour. The first prototype was built in 1983, and was first known as the Demonstrationsfahrzeug Rad (demonstration vehicle wheeled) and then the Experimentalfahrzeug Rad (8×8), meaning experimental vehicle wheeled (8×8). It finally received the name Radpanzer 90, and it is known as the Radkampfwagen 90 in War Thunder. The final production model was completed in 1986. It featured a rear-mounted engine, had an independent suspension for the wheels, and the turret was that of the Leopard 1A3. The Radpanzer 90 never entered service, but the information gathered from the program was later used in the development of the GTK Boxer wheeled vehicle.

Devblog

In the early 1980's, the West German Ministry of Defense sought to procure a wheeled tank themselves, after observing the success of similar designs of other nations such as the French AMX-10RC. The mostly positive experiences made with the introduction of the wheeled Luchs in the years prior, further convinced the German military of this idea.

As a result, the Ministry of Defense tasked the Daimler-Benz company, who had also been involved in the development of the successful Spähpanzer Luchs before, with developing this new wheeled tank. By late 1983, the first mock-up was created and the project received its official name - Radkampfwagen 90, or alternatively, Radpanzer 90.

The first, and what would end up being the only prototype was constructed in 1986, subsequently undergoing various trials. Despite proving itself as a highly capable vehicle and producing favorable test results, the dissolution of the Eastern Bloc and its Warsaw Pact alliance, caused not only the need for a vehicle such as the Radkampfwagen 90 to disappear, but also for a valid justification of accepting its high production costs. As the direct result of a combination of all these factors, further development of the project was suspended in the late '80's - early '90's, with the Radkampfwagen 90 project being ultimately abandoned.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the Radkampfwagen 90 from live.warthunder.com.

Images

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Videos

Best wheeled tanks discusses the Radkampfwagen 90 at 04:49 - War Thunder Official Channel

Should You Buy The RadKampfWagen 90? - Sako Sniper

Radkampfwagen 90 Tank Review - Napalmratte

See also

Other vehicles of similar configuration and role

• Class 3 (P)
• Rooikat 105
• Type 16
• WMA301
• Centauro I 105 R
• AMX-10RC

External links

• [Devblog] Radkampfwagen 90: A leopard on wheels

References

Biblbiography

• Radpanzer 90. (2020, February 22). In Wikipedia. https://de.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Radpanzer_90&oldid=197067150