Difference between revisions of "Leopard 2A5"
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{{Specs-Card | {{Specs-Card | ||
|code=germ_leopard_2a5 | |code=germ_leopard_2a5 | ||
| − | |images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}} | + | |images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}} |
}} | }} | ||
== Description == | == Description == | ||
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' --> | <!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' --> | ||
| − | The ''' | + | The '''Leopard 2A5''' is the sixth variant of the [[Leopard 2 (Family)|Leopard 2 main battle tank family]]. The Leopard 2A5 variant (introduced in mid-1998) is visually distinct from previous variants due to the addition of wedge-shaped spaced add-on armour over the entire front as well as the forward sides of the turret. The ideology behind this wedge-shaped, spaced add-on armour is that it may deflect and erode kinetic-energy penetrators as well as neutralize a hollow charge before it reaches the base armour. The shot-trap effect was investigated and avoided as a result of the first layer, which does not deflect penetrators into the hull, as well as angle calculations and the material utilized for the outer layer. As a result, the gun mantlet had been modified to fit in with the new add-on armour. Furthermore, the entire composite armour composition was revised and improved. To prevent fragmentation, spall liners were installed in the crew compartment, and the frontal area of the side skirts was improved and strengthened. To reduce weight and simplify maintenance and reliability, the turret traverse and systems were entirely electric. The tank commander's sight was relocated behind the hatch, and separate thermal imaging equipment was installed. The gunner's sight was also relocated to the turret roof (previous versions had it built into the cavity in the front turret armour). The driver's hatch has also been modified. Since this variant was designed to be upgraded to the new 120 mm Rheinmetall L/55 tank gun in the future [[Leopard 2A6|Leopard 2A6 variant]], the entire gun brake system was modified as well. |
| − | + | Introduced in [[Update 1.87 "Locked On"]], the Leopard 2A5 variant provides higher turret protection than the preceding [[Leopard 2A4|Leopard 2A4 variant]] due to the addition of spaced add-on armour covering the frontal area and forward flanks of the turret. Despite being a spaced add-on armour, the distinctive wedge-shaped design effectively disrupts and decreases the energy of incoming enemy tank ammunition rounds, resulting in significant armour penetration reduction. The tank layouts are identical to the Leopard 2A4, but there are minor differences in crew locations. The tank commander's sight has been substantially upgraded, providing the tank commander with an independent sight equipped with thermal imaging equipment, introducing the hunter-killer capabilities. | |
== General info == | == General info == | ||
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{{Specs-Tank-Armour}} | {{Specs-Tank-Armour}} | ||
<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' --> | <!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' --> | ||
| − | |||
The {{PAGENAME}} has improved armour compared to its predecessor, the hull is much better protected and the already impenetrable turret cheeks have more protection on the side of the turret. Add-on armour boosts the ability to protect against HEAT-FS and early APFSDS rounds. The wedges on the front of the turret are able to be blown off if a round with enough energy hits it.The gunners optic is also moved into the roof to eliminate the weak spot which was easily penetrated by any tank. | The {{PAGENAME}} has improved armour compared to its predecessor, the hull is much better protected and the already impenetrable turret cheeks have more protection on the side of the turret. Add-on armour boosts the ability to protect against HEAT-FS and early APFSDS rounds. The wedges on the front of the turret are able to be blown off if a round with enough energy hits it.The gunners optic is also moved into the roof to eliminate the weak spot which was easily penetrated by any tank. | ||
One big changeover along with the armour wedges in the front is the repositioning of the gunner's sight. In the 2A4, the gunner's sight in the turret front presented a weakness that was easily compromised. In the 2A5, the gunner's sight was relocated to the turret roof, and so this weakness is no longer present on the 2A5. Additionally, the large mantlet of the 2A4 has been replaced by a far smaller and more armoured mantlet, making it far harder to hit, though most ammunition at top tier can still penetrate it easily. | One big changeover along with the armour wedges in the front is the repositioning of the gunner's sight. In the 2A4, the gunner's sight in the turret front presented a weakness that was easily compromised. In the 2A5, the gunner's sight was relocated to the turret roof, and so this weakness is no longer present on the 2A5. Additionally, the large mantlet of the 2A4 has been replaced by a far smaller and more armoured mantlet, making it far harder to hit, though most ammunition at top tier can still penetrate it easily. | ||
| − | + | ||
Be aware of Soviet tanks though! Most of them will carry their HE rounds that can easily destroy you anywhere they hit. A hit directly to the turret will most likely send fragments into your hull, penetrate and lets your fuel tank explode or at least set a fire and knock out the gun barrel. | Be aware of Soviet tanks though! Most of them will carry their HE rounds that can easily destroy you anywhere they hit. A hit directly to the turret will most likely send fragments into your hull, penetrate and lets your fuel tank explode or at least set a fire and knock out the gun barrel. | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | !Armour !! Front (Slope angle)!!Sides!!Rear!!Roof | + | ! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof |
|- | |- | ||
| − | |Hull | + | | Hull || 35 mm (53-82°) ''Upper glacis'' <br> 40 mm (50-51°) ''Lower glacis'' || 10 mm (5°) ''Upper hull'' <br> 35 mm ''Lower forward hull'' <br> 20 mm ''Lower rear hull'' || 20 mm (12-50°) || 20 mm (0-8°) ''Hull roof incl. engine deck'' |
| − | |35 mm (53-82°) ''Upper glacis''<br>40 mm (50-51°) ''Lower glacis'' | ||
| − | |10 mm (5°) ''Upper hull''<br>35 mm | ||
| − | |20 mm (12-50°) | ||
| − | |20 mm (0-8°) ''Hull roof incl. engine deck'' | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | |Turret | + | | Turret || 80 mm (57-59°) ''Right cheek add-on'' <br> 80 mm (55-58°) ''Left cheek add-on'' <br> 30 mm (63°) ''Upper mantlet add-on'' <br> 400 mm ''Mantlet armour'' <br> 250 mm (9°) ''Mantlet shroud'' || 80 mm (20-22°) ''Right add-on'' <br> 80 mm (22°) ''Left add-on'' <br> 35 mm ''Forward'' <br> 15 mm ''Rear'' || 20 mm (10°) ''Basket'' <br> 20 mm (70°) ''Turret underside'' || 35 - 40 mm (80-89°) ''Forehead Armour'' <br> 14 mm (68-82°) ''Forward sides'' <br> 20 mm (89°) ''Rear turret'' <br> 20 mm (83°) ''Basket'' |
| − | |80 mm (57-59°) ''Right cheek add-on''<br>80 mm (55-58°) ''Left cheek add-on''<br>30 mm (63°) ''Upper mantlet add-on''<br>400 mm | ||
| − | |80 mm (20-22°) ''Right add-on''<br>80 mm (22°) ''Left add-on''<br>35 mm | ||
| − | |20 mm (10°) ''Basket''<br>20 mm (70°) ''Turret underside'' | ||
| − | |35 - 40 mm (80-89°) ''Forehead Armour''<br>14 mm (68-82°) ''Forward sides''<br>20 mm (89°) ''Rear turret''<br>20 mm (83°) ''Basket'' | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | + | |} | |
| − | + | [[File:Leopard 2A5 armour scheme.png|thumb|The frontal KE protection of the {{PAGENAME}} against 3BM42 at 500 m.]] | |
| − | ! | + | [[File:Leopard 2A5 CE armour scheme.png|thumb|The frontal CE protection of the {{PAGENAME}} against MIM-146.]] |
| + | {| class="wikitable" | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | ! Composite armour !! Front !! |Sides | ||
|- style="vertical-align:top;" | |- style="vertical-align:top;" | ||
| − | |Hull | + | | Hull || '''''Upper+Lower glacis''''' <br> 400 mm ''Kinetic'' <br> 600 mm ''Chemical'' || N/A |
| − | | | ||
| − | | | ||
|- style="vertical-align:top;" | |- style="vertical-align:top;" | ||
| − | |Turret | + | | Turret || '''''Turret cheeks''''' <br> 800 mm ''Kinetic'' <br> 1200 mm ''Chemical'' <br> '''''Gun mantlet (Center)''''' <br> 260 - 325 mm ''Kinetic'' <br> 600 - 690 mm ''Chemical'' <br> '''''Gun mantlet (Outer)''''' <br> 425 - 460 mm ''Kinetic'' <br> 825 - 905 ''Chemical'' || '''''Side armour''''' <br> 260 mm ''Kinetic'' <br> 230 - 285 mm ''Chemical'' |
| − | | | ||
| − | |||
| − | '''''Gun mantlet (Center)'''''<br> | ||
| − | 260 - 325 mm ''Kinetic''<br> | ||
| − | 600 - 690 mm ''Chemical'' | ||
| − | |||
| − | '''''Gun mantlet (Outer)'''''<br> | ||
| − | 425 - 460 mm ''Kinetic''<br> | ||
| − | 825 - 905 ''Chemical'' | ||
| − | |||
| − | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
'''Notes:''' | '''Notes:''' | ||
| − | * | + | * Upper hull and Lower rear hull overlap (10 + 20 mm thick) |
| − | * | + | * Upper mantlet add-on and Mantlet armour overlap (30 + 400 mm thick) |
* Holes in the engine deck are covered by 8 mm of mesh | * Holes in the engine deck are covered by 8 mm of mesh | ||
| Line 83: | Line 64: | ||
{{Specs-Economy}} | {{Specs-Economy}} | ||
| − | The first modifications to research should be Parts and FPE. After those, aim for the NVD, DM33/ | + | The first modifications to research should be Parts and FPE. After those, aim for the NVD, DM33/DM53, laser rangefinder, or mobility upgrades, depending on the desired playstyle. |
== Armaments == | == Armaments == | ||
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{{main|Rh120 L/44 (120 mm)}} | {{main|Rh120 L/44 (120 mm)}} | ||
| − | The {{PAGENAME}} has access to | + | The {{PAGENAME}} has access to DM53 APFSDS shells which make it a deadlier foe as few tanks can stand against it. |
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%" | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%" | ||
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==== Ammunition ==== | ==== Ammunition ==== | ||
| − | { | + | {{:Rh120 L/44 (120 mm)/Ammunition|DM12A1, DM33, DM53}} |
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| − | | DM12A1 | ||
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==== [[Ammo racks]] ==== | ==== [[Ammo racks]] ==== | ||
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<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' --> | <!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' --> | ||
| − | The {{PAGENAME}} is slower, but it has much better armour and access to the | + | In War Thunder, the Leopard 2A5 is a top-class tank with advanced technologies to enable players to compete against opponent in a tactical and strategic field. The Leopard 2A5 is best used in ambush or other surprise attack methods due to its superb mobility, which can help position the lethal firepower and precision the Leopard 2A5's 120 mm cannon can bring. Finding a good position can also enable a hull-down position to show only the turret and gun, leveraging the robust armour and natural cover to minimize the return fire while being able to dish out 120 mm projectiles undeterred. The tank is also great at moving around the battlefield to attack the enemies from their more vulnerable sides or rear, where they are not as strong. With the right aggressiveness, the Leopard 2A5 can whittle away or even dismantle the enemy team's initiative and lead their team to victory. |
| + | |||
| + | The {{PAGENAME}} is slower, but it has much better armour and access to the DM53 round. With these new changes, the playstyle changes a bit too: | ||
* ''Hull down'': In the 2A4, the gunners optic was easily penetrated so the hull-down was still vulnerable. However, in the 2A5, this weak spot is eliminated and the armour of the turret is much better, so a hull-down position can now leave the {{PAGENAME}} invulnerable, but try to keep your turret protected as well, so then the armour package could last longer throughout the battle. | * ''Hull down'': In the 2A4, the gunners optic was easily penetrated so the hull-down was still vulnerable. However, in the 2A5, this weak spot is eliminated and the armour of the turret is much better, so a hull-down position can now leave the {{PAGENAME}} invulnerable, but try to keep your turret protected as well, so then the armour package could last longer throughout the battle. | ||
| − | * ''Sniping'': With the | + | * ''Sniping'': With the DM53 APFSDS round, the {{PAGENAME}} can now make use of the great distance in combat to deal damage while tanking incoming shots. Try also make use of hull-down positions whilst sniping. |
* ''Flanking'': Due to the worse mobility compared to the 2A4, it is better to stick to more stationary tactics like ''hull-down'' and ''sniping''. However, with a little bit of caution, flanking can still be successful. | * ''Flanking'': Due to the worse mobility compared to the 2A4, it is better to stick to more stationary tactics like ''hull-down'' and ''sniping''. However, with a little bit of caution, flanking can still be successful. | ||
* ''Staying with nearby teammates:'' Try and stick to nearby teammates as this can improve your lifespan throughout the game. | * ''Staying with nearby teammates:'' Try and stick to nearby teammates as this can improve your lifespan throughout the game. | ||
| Line 199: | Line 146: | ||
'''Pros:''' | '''Pros:''' | ||
| − | * Excellent 120 mm gun, | + | * Excellent 120 mm gun, DM53 APFSDS is capable of penetrating up to 623 mm maximum at point-blank range |
* Impenetrable turret cheeks, the add-on wedge armour makes the turret immune from every shell in the game (average of 850 mm against long rod APFSDS and 1,450 mm against HEAT) | * Impenetrable turret cheeks, the add-on wedge armour makes the turret immune from every shell in the game (average of 850 mm against long rod APFSDS and 1,450 mm against HEAT) | ||
* Good armour on the UFP (430 mm against APFSDS), immune to older shells; though many top-tier tanks possess shells which can go straight through | * Good armour on the UFP (430 mm against APFSDS), immune to older shells; though many top-tier tanks possess shells which can go straight through | ||
| Line 207: | Line 154: | ||
* Cannon barrel and cannon breech absorbs impact rounds which may otherwise penetrate the turret and injure crews | * Cannon barrel and cannon breech absorbs impact rounds which may otherwise penetrate the turret and injure crews | ||
* Gun breech and mantlet has a smaller profile than other western MBTs | * Gun breech and mantlet has a smaller profile than other western MBTs | ||
| − | * | + | * Good thermal imaging quality (Generation 2 for Binoculars, 800 x 600, and Generation 1 for Gunner's view, 500 x 300) |
* Very good all round tank especially when played properly | * Very good all round tank especially when played properly | ||
| Line 222: | Line 169: | ||
* Tank's weight is 4 tons increased while the engine is still the same, making the {{PAGENAME}} slower compared to the 2A4 | * Tank's weight is 4 tons increased while the engine is still the same, making the {{PAGENAME}} slower compared to the 2A4 | ||
* Despite all the added armour, the turret ring and driver's hatch are both easily penetrated, and the enemy will most likely aim at these two spots to disable or destroy the tank | * Despite all the added armour, the turret ring and driver's hatch are both easily penetrated, and the enemy will most likely aim at these two spots to disable or destroy the tank | ||
| − | * Is outperformed by its successor, the Leopard 2A6, in terms of firepower. The longer L/55 cannon on the Leopard 2A6 increases the performance of DM33 | + | * Is outperformed by its successor, the Leopard 2A6, in terms of firepower. The longer L/55 cannon on the Leopard 2A6 increases the performance of both DM33 and DM53 shells. |
== History == | == History == | ||
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' --> | <!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' --> | ||
| − | + | The Leopard 2A5 is a third-generation main battle tank (MBT) developed by the German company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW). It is an upgrade to the [[Leopard 2A4]], which was the mainstay of the German Army in the late 1990s. The Leopard 2A5 was first introduced in 1995 and served as the backbone of the German Army until the [[Leopard 2A6]] replaced it in 2001. | |
| − | The | + | The Leopard 2A5 features improved armor protection and a new gunner's sight. The tank's armor consists of composite armor, reactive armor, and spaced armor, providing it with superior protection against anti-tank weapons. The Leopard 2A5 also features a modified turret design, which provides better protection for the crew. |
| − | + | The tank's main armament is a 120 mm smoothbore gun, which is capable of firing a variety of ammunition types, including high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT), armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS), and high-explosive, variable time fuze (HE-VT) rounds. The Leopard 2A5 also features a secondary armament consisting of a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun and a 12.7 mm machine gun mounted on the commander's hatch (which on some versions may be a 7.62mm one). | |
| − | ''- | + | The Leopard 2A5 has been used in several conflicts around the world, including in Kosovo and Afghanistan. The tank has proven to be highly effective in combat, with its superior armor protection and firepower providing a significant advantage on the battlefield. During the Kosovo conflict, the German Army deployed a battalion of Leopard 2A5s, which saw significant action against Serbian forces. The tank's superior protection and firepower proved to be critical in the success of the German mission. |
| + | |||
| + | The tank proved to be incapable, though, of urban combat, as German forces suffered heavy losses to shoulder anti-tank weapons, like the RPG-7 and M136, which were highly used by guerilla and insurgency forces from rooftops and areas where the Leopard's defenses couldn't reach. Around 1997, the Leopard 2A5M TUSK I prototype was created, featuring an all-around ERA protection, as well as blowout panels, an autoloader, a shorter barrel, and a remote-controlled machine gun (to prevent the commander/loader from having to turn out of the tank to fire it). Although some units were produced, the project was abandoned quickly due to the replacement of the tank by the Leopard 2A6, along with the high production cost of the new variant. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Production of the Leopard 2A5 began in 1995, and the tank was in service until it was replaced by the Leopard 2A6 in 2001. The Leopard 2A5 was produced in Germany and exported to several other countries, including Austria, Canada, Denmark, Sweden, Spain, Norway, and Poland. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Despite its successes, the Leopard 2A5 was not without its production issues. The tank was initially delayed due to problems with the new armor technology, and production costs were higher than expected. The tank also had some reliability issues, particularly with its engine, which was prone to overheating. | ||
| + | |||
| + | In conclusion, the Leopard 2A5 is a highly effective third-generation MBT that provided a significant upgrade over its predecessor, the Leopard 2A4. The tank's superior armor protection and firepower made it a formidable opponent on the battlefield, and it has seen successful combat deployment in several conflicts around the world. While the Leopard 2A5 had some production issues, it was a critical asset for the German Army during its time in service. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===[[wt:en/news/6098-development-leopard-2a5-this-time-we-are-dead-serious-en|Devblog]]=== | ||
| + | In 1988, German engineers began work on modernizing the Leopard 2 main battle tank. Improvements were made to the tank’s defensive capabilities, primarily the turret armour. Moreover, the 2A5 model was fitted with an electric stabiliser instead of the electro-hydraulic variant that the previous versions used. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The gunner received improved and less vulnerable optics, and the tank commander – a panoramic periscope with thermal imaging. The build of the driver’s hatch was also modified, along with several other minor improvements made to the general design. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Leading to the 2A5 modernization program being officially approved by the military officials of Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands. It is interesting to note that the models exported to the last two countries on the list were actually different from the ones issued to the German army – for instance, the Bundeswehr tanks received no extra frontal hull armour. Production of Leopard 2A5 tanks began in 1995. Overall, 350 earlier-version Leopards were upgraded as a result of the program. | ||
== Media == | == Media == | ||
| Line 238: | Line 200: | ||
;Skins | ;Skins | ||
| − | * [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/? | + | |
| + | * [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=germ_leopard_2a5 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.] | ||
;Videos | ;Videos | ||
| Line 247: | Line 210: | ||
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;'' | * ''reference to the series of the vehicles;'' | ||
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' --> | * ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' --> | ||
| − | [[File:GarageImage_Leopard_2A5_Cup.png|300px|thumb|right| | + | [[File:GarageImage_Leopard_2A5_Cup.png|300px|thumb|right|␙Leopard 2A5, currently only owned by content creator Slickbee]] |
;Related development | ;Related development | ||
| + | |||
* [[Leopard 2A4]] - <small>(Preceding vehicle)</small> | * [[Leopard 2A4]] - <small>(Preceding vehicle)</small> | ||
| − | * | + | * ␙Leopard 2A5 - <small>([[wt:en/news/6286-esport-war-thunder-youtube-cup-results-en|YouTube Cup 2019]] prize)</small> |
* [[Strv 122A]] | * [[Strv 122A]] | ||
* [[Strv 122B PLSS]] | * [[Strv 122B PLSS]] | ||
| Line 262: | Line 226: | ||
* [[wt:en/news/6098-development-leopard-2a5-this-time-we-are-dead-serious-en|[Devblog] Leopard 2A5: This Time We Are Dead Serious]] | * [[wt:en/news/6098-development-leopard-2a5-this-time-we-are-dead-serious-en|[Devblog] Leopard 2A5: This Time We Are Dead Serious]] | ||
| + | {{TankManufacturer KMW}} | ||
{{Germany medium tanks}} | {{Germany medium tanks}} | ||
Latest revision as of 17:51, 15 February 2024
| This page is about the German medium tank Leopard 2A5. For other versions, see Leopard 2 (Family). |
Contents
Description
The Leopard 2A5 is the sixth variant of the Leopard 2 main battle tank family. The Leopard 2A5 variant (introduced in mid-1998) is visually distinct from previous variants due to the addition of wedge-shaped spaced add-on armour over the entire front as well as the forward sides of the turret. The ideology behind this wedge-shaped, spaced add-on armour is that it may deflect and erode kinetic-energy penetrators as well as neutralize a hollow charge before it reaches the base armour. The shot-trap effect was investigated and avoided as a result of the first layer, which does not deflect penetrators into the hull, as well as angle calculations and the material utilized for the outer layer. As a result, the gun mantlet had been modified to fit in with the new add-on armour. Furthermore, the entire composite armour composition was revised and improved. To prevent fragmentation, spall liners were installed in the crew compartment, and the frontal area of the side skirts was improved and strengthened. To reduce weight and simplify maintenance and reliability, the turret traverse and systems were entirely electric. The tank commander's sight was relocated behind the hatch, and separate thermal imaging equipment was installed. The gunner's sight was also relocated to the turret roof (previous versions had it built into the cavity in the front turret armour). The driver's hatch has also been modified. Since this variant was designed to be upgraded to the new 120 mm Rheinmetall L/55 tank gun in the future Leopard 2A6 variant, the entire gun brake system was modified as well.
Introduced in Update 1.87 "Locked On", the Leopard 2A5 variant provides higher turret protection than the preceding Leopard 2A4 variant due to the addition of spaced add-on armour covering the frontal area and forward flanks of the turret. Despite being a spaced add-on armour, the distinctive wedge-shaped design effectively disrupts and decreases the energy of incoming enemy tank ammunition rounds, resulting in significant armour penetration reduction. The tank layouts are identical to the Leopard 2A4, but there are minor differences in crew locations. The tank commander's sight has been substantially upgraded, providing the tank commander with an independent sight equipped with thermal imaging equipment, introducing the hunter-killer capabilities.
General info
Survivability and armour
The Leopard 2A5 has improved armour compared to its predecessor, the hull is much better protected and the already impenetrable turret cheeks have more protection on the side of the turret. Add-on armour boosts the ability to protect against HEAT-FS and early APFSDS rounds. The wedges on the front of the turret are able to be blown off if a round with enough energy hits it.The gunners optic is also moved into the roof to eliminate the weak spot which was easily penetrated by any tank.
One big changeover along with the armour wedges in the front is the repositioning of the gunner's sight. In the 2A4, the gunner's sight in the turret front presented a weakness that was easily compromised. In the 2A5, the gunner's sight was relocated to the turret roof, and so this weakness is no longer present on the 2A5. Additionally, the large mantlet of the 2A4 has been replaced by a far smaller and more armoured mantlet, making it far harder to hit, though most ammunition at top tier can still penetrate it easily.
Be aware of Soviet tanks though! Most of them will carry their HE rounds that can easily destroy you anywhere they hit. A hit directly to the turret will most likely send fragments into your hull, penetrate and lets your fuel tank explode or at least set a fire and knock out the gun barrel.
| Armour | Front (Slope angle) | Sides | Rear | Roof |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hull | 35 mm (53-82°) Upper glacis 40 mm (50-51°) Lower glacis |
10 mm (5°) Upper hull 35 mm Lower forward hull 20 mm Lower rear hull |
20 mm (12-50°) | 20 mm (0-8°) Hull roof incl. engine deck |
| Turret | 80 mm (57-59°) Right cheek add-on 80 mm (55-58°) Left cheek add-on 30 mm (63°) Upper mantlet add-on 400 mm Mantlet armour 250 mm (9°) Mantlet shroud |
80 mm (20-22°) Right add-on 80 mm (22°) Left add-on 35 mm Forward 15 mm Rear |
20 mm (10°) Basket 20 mm (70°) Turret underside |
35 - 40 mm (80-89°) Forehead Armour 14 mm (68-82°) Forward sides 20 mm (89°) Rear turret 20 mm (83°) Basket |
| Composite armour | Front | Sides |
|---|---|---|
| Hull | Upper+Lower glacis 400 mm Kinetic 600 mm Chemical |
N/A |
| Turret | Turret cheeks 800 mm Kinetic 1200 mm Chemical Gun mantlet (Center) 260 - 325 mm Kinetic 600 - 690 mm Chemical Gun mantlet (Outer) 425 - 460 mm Kinetic 825 - 905 Chemical |
Side armour 260 mm Kinetic 230 - 285 mm Chemical |
Notes:
- Upper hull and Lower rear hull overlap (10 + 20 mm thick)
- Upper mantlet add-on and Mantlet armour overlap (30 + 400 mm thick)
- Holes in the engine deck are covered by 8 mm of mesh
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 | 76 | 35 | 59.5 | 2,032 | 2,862 | 34.15 | 48.1 |
| Realistic | 69 | 31 | 1,327 | 1,500 | 22.3 | 25.21 | |
The only drawback compared to the previous model would be the Leopard 2A5's mobility since, despite the 4 tons increase in weight, the engine remains the same, so the Leopard 2A5 is both slower and less manoeuvrable compared to the Leopard 2A4, but it can still keep up with the other nations MBTs. The engine remains the same MTU MB 873 Ka-501 engine which produces 1,500 hp (1,100 KW) at 2,600 RPM.
Modifications and economy
| Mobility | Protection | Firepower | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
The first modifications to research should be Parts and FPE. After those, aim for the NVD, DM33/DM53, laser rangefinder, or mobility upgrades, depending on the desired playstyle.
Armaments
Main armament
The Leopard 2A5 has access to DM53 APFSDS shells which make it a deadlier foe as few tanks can stand against it.
| 120 mm Rh120 L/44 | 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 | 38.1 | 52.7 | 64.0 | 70.8 | 75.3 | 7.80 | 6.90 | 6.36 | 6.00 |
| Realistic | 23.8 | 28.0 | 34.0 | 37.6 | 40.0 | ||||||||
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 | ||
| DM12A1 | HEATFS | 480 | 480 | 480 | 480 | 480 | 480 |
| DM33 | APFSDS | 481 | 478 | 470 | 461 | 450 | 440 |
| DM53 | APFSDS | 623 | 620 | 610 | 598 | 586 | 573 |
| Shell details | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammunition | Type of warhead |
Velocity (m/s) |
Projectile mass (kg) |
Fuse delay (m) |
Fuse sensitivity (mm) |
Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (kg) |
Ricochet | |||||
| 0% | 50% | 100% | ||||||||||
| DM12A1 | HEATFS | 1,140 | 13.5 | 0.05 | 0.1 | 2.15 | 65° | 72° | 77° | |||
| DM33 | APFSDS | 1,640 | 4.3 | - | - | - | 78° | 80° | 81° | |||
| DM53 | APFSDS | 1,670 | 5 | - | - | - | 78° | 80° | 81° | |||
Ammo racks
| Full ammo |
1st rack empty |
2nd rack empty |
Visual discrepancy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42 | 16 (+26) | 1 (+41) | No |
Notes:
- The 2nd rack serves as first-stage ammo stowage.
Machine guns
| 7.62 mm MG3A1 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount | Capacity (Belt) | Fire rate | Vertical | Horizontal |
| Coaxial | 4,500 (1,000) | 1,200 | N/A | N/A |
| Pintle | 2,000 (1,000) | 1,200 | -8°/+20° | ±120° |
Usage in battles
In War Thunder, the Leopard 2A5 is a top-class tank with advanced technologies to enable players to compete against opponent in a tactical and strategic field. The Leopard 2A5 is best used in ambush or other surprise attack methods due to its superb mobility, which can help position the lethal firepower and precision the Leopard 2A5's 120 mm cannon can bring. Finding a good position can also enable a hull-down position to show only the turret and gun, leveraging the robust armour and natural cover to minimize the return fire while being able to dish out 120 mm projectiles undeterred. The tank is also great at moving around the battlefield to attack the enemies from their more vulnerable sides or rear, where they are not as strong. With the right aggressiveness, the Leopard 2A5 can whittle away or even dismantle the enemy team's initiative and lead their team to victory.
The Leopard 2A5 is slower, but it has much better armour and access to the DM53 round. With these new changes, the playstyle changes a bit too:
- Hull down: In the 2A4, the gunners optic was easily penetrated so the hull-down was still vulnerable. However, in the 2A5, this weak spot is eliminated and the armour of the turret is much better, so a hull-down position can now leave the Leopard 2A5 invulnerable, but try to keep your turret protected as well, so then the armour package could last longer throughout the battle.
- Sniping: With the DM53 APFSDS round, the Leopard 2A5 can now make use of the great distance in combat to deal damage while tanking incoming shots. Try also make use of hull-down positions whilst sniping.
- Flanking: Due to the worse mobility compared to the 2A4, it is better to stick to more stationary tactics like hull-down and sniping. However, with a little bit of caution, flanking can still be successful.
- Staying with nearby teammates: Try and stick to nearby teammates as this can improve your lifespan throughout the game.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Excellent 120 mm gun, DM53 APFSDS is capable of penetrating up to 623 mm maximum at point-blank range
- Impenetrable turret cheeks, the add-on wedge armour makes the turret immune from every shell in the game (average of 850 mm against long rod APFSDS and 1,450 mm against HEAT)
- Good armour on the UFP (430 mm against APFSDS), immune to older shells; though many top-tier tanks possess shells which can go straight through
- Great gun handling: 40°/s turret rotation speed (with Ace crew) and -9°/+20° of vertical guidance
- Side turret covered by add-on armour can bounce early APFSDS shells
- Gunner optics are now mounted on top of the turret, removing the annoying weak spot present on the Leopard 2A4
- Cannon barrel and cannon breech absorbs impact rounds which may otherwise penetrate the turret and injure crews
- Gun breech and mantlet has a smaller profile than other western MBTs
- Good thermal imaging quality (Generation 2 for Binoculars, 800 x 600, and Generation 1 for Gunner's view, 500 x 300)
- Very good all round tank especially when played properly
Cons:
- Lower glacis can still be penetrated by most shells (but is expected for most MBTs)
- 16 shells in the ready-rack may be insufficient when playing in Arcade Battles
- If your turret ammo rack is shot, you might survive but then you lose all your unloaded ammo storage
- Huge hull ammo-rack if more than 16 shells are carried consequently making the tank extremely vulnerable to HE shells
- A penetrating shot on the left side of the hull will most likely knock out the driver, gunner and commander, thus destroying the tank
- A penetrating shell on the right side of the hull will most likely hit the ammo-rack, destroying the tank
- Just like all Leopard series, raised engine deck means less gun depression when the turret is facing the rear
- The wedges can be shot off with several hits, though the turret cheeks alone provide 650 mm against KE
- Tank's weight is 4 tons increased while the engine is still the same, making the Leopard 2A5 slower compared to the 2A4
- Despite all the added armour, the turret ring and driver's hatch are both easily penetrated, and the enemy will most likely aim at these two spots to disable or destroy the tank
- Is outperformed by its successor, the Leopard 2A6, in terms of firepower. The longer L/55 cannon on the Leopard 2A6 increases the performance of both DM33 and DM53 shells.
History
The Leopard 2A5 is a third-generation main battle tank (MBT) developed by the German company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW). It is an upgrade to the Leopard 2A4, which was the mainstay of the German Army in the late 1990s. The Leopard 2A5 was first introduced in 1995 and served as the backbone of the German Army until the Leopard 2A6 replaced it in 2001.
The Leopard 2A5 features improved armor protection and a new gunner's sight. The tank's armor consists of composite armor, reactive armor, and spaced armor, providing it with superior protection against anti-tank weapons. The Leopard 2A5 also features a modified turret design, which provides better protection for the crew.
The tank's main armament is a 120 mm smoothbore gun, which is capable of firing a variety of ammunition types, including high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT), armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS), and high-explosive, variable time fuze (HE-VT) rounds. The Leopard 2A5 also features a secondary armament consisting of a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun and a 12.7 mm machine gun mounted on the commander's hatch (which on some versions may be a 7.62mm one).
The Leopard 2A5 has been used in several conflicts around the world, including in Kosovo and Afghanistan. The tank has proven to be highly effective in combat, with its superior armor protection and firepower providing a significant advantage on the battlefield. During the Kosovo conflict, the German Army deployed a battalion of Leopard 2A5s, which saw significant action against Serbian forces. The tank's superior protection and firepower proved to be critical in the success of the German mission.
The tank proved to be incapable, though, of urban combat, as German forces suffered heavy losses to shoulder anti-tank weapons, like the RPG-7 and M136, which were highly used by guerilla and insurgency forces from rooftops and areas where the Leopard's defenses couldn't reach. Around 1997, the Leopard 2A5M TUSK I prototype was created, featuring an all-around ERA protection, as well as blowout panels, an autoloader, a shorter barrel, and a remote-controlled machine gun (to prevent the commander/loader from having to turn out of the tank to fire it). Although some units were produced, the project was abandoned quickly due to the replacement of the tank by the Leopard 2A6, along with the high production cost of the new variant.
Production of the Leopard 2A5 began in 1995, and the tank was in service until it was replaced by the Leopard 2A6 in 2001. The Leopard 2A5 was produced in Germany and exported to several other countries, including Austria, Canada, Denmark, Sweden, Spain, Norway, and Poland.
Despite its successes, the Leopard 2A5 was not without its production issues. The tank was initially delayed due to problems with the new armor technology, and production costs were higher than expected. The tank also had some reliability issues, particularly with its engine, which was prone to overheating.
In conclusion, the Leopard 2A5 is a highly effective third-generation MBT that provided a significant upgrade over its predecessor, the Leopard 2A4. The tank's superior armor protection and firepower made it a formidable opponent on the battlefield, and it has seen successful combat deployment in several conflicts around the world. While the Leopard 2A5 had some production issues, it was a critical asset for the German Army during its time in service.
Devblog
In 1988, German engineers began work on modernizing the Leopard 2 main battle tank. Improvements were made to the tank’s defensive capabilities, primarily the turret armour. Moreover, the 2A5 model was fitted with an electric stabiliser instead of the electro-hydraulic variant that the previous versions used.
The gunner received improved and less vulnerable optics, and the tank commander – a panoramic periscope with thermal imaging. The build of the driver’s hatch was also modified, along with several other minor improvements made to the general design.
Leading to the 2A5 modernization program being officially approved by the military officials of Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands. It is interesting to note that the models exported to the last two countries on the list were actually different from the ones issued to the German army – for instance, the Bundeswehr tanks received no extra frontal hull armour. Production of Leopard 2A5 tanks began in 1995. Overall, 350 earlier-version Leopards were upgraded as a result of the program.
Media
- Skins
- Videos
See also
- Related development
- Leopard 2A4 - (Preceding vehicle)
- ␙Leopard 2A5 - (YouTube Cup 2019 prize)
- Strv 122A
- Strv 122B PLSS
External links
| Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) | |
|---|---|
| MBTs | |
| Leopard 1 | Leopard I · Leopard A1A1 · Leopard A1A1 (L/44) · Leopard 1A5 · C2A1 |
| Leopard 2 | PT-16/T14 mod. · Leopard 2K · Leopard 2A4 · Leopard 2 (PzBtl 123) · Leopard 2A4M · Leopard 2 PL · Leopard 2A5 · Leopard 2 PSO · Leopard 2A6 · Leopard 2A7V |
| KPz-70 | KPz-70* |
| *By the Deutsche Entwicklungsgesellschaft consortium, in collaboration with the General Motors Company. | |
| IFVs | PUMA |
| SPAAs | Gepard · Gepard 1A2 |
| Export | |
| Leopard 1 | ▄Leopard 1A5 · Leopard 1A5NO2 |
| Leopard 2 | Strv 121 · ▄Leopard 2A4 · ◔Leopard 2A4 · ▄Leopard 2A6 · Leopard 2A7HU |
| See Also | BAE Systems AB |
| Germany medium tanks | |
|---|---|
| Pz.III | Pz.III B · Pz.III E · Pz.III F · Pz.III J · Pz.III J1 · Pz.III J1 TD · Pz.III L · Pz.III M · Pz.III N |
| Pz.IV | Pz.IV C · Pz.IV E · Pz.IV F1 · Pz.IV F2 · Pz.IV G · Pz.IV H · Pz.IV J · Pz.Bef.Wg.IV J |
| Pz.V | VK 3002 (M) · Panther A · Panther D · Panther F · Panther G · Ersatz M10 · Panther II |
| M48 upgrades | M48A2 G A2 · M48 Super |
| Leopard 1 | Leopard I · Leopard A1A1 · Leopard A1A1 (L/44) · Leopard 1A5 · C2A1 · Turm III |
| Leopard 2 | PT-16/T14 mod. · Leopard 2K · Leopard 2AV |
| Leopard 2A4 · Leopard 2 (PzBtl 123) · Leopard 2A4M · Leopard 2 PL · Leopard 2A5 · Leopard 2 PSO · Leopard 2A6 · Leopard 2A7V | |
| Trophies | ▀M4 748 (a) · ▀T 34 747 (r) |
| Other | Nb.Fz. · KPz-70 |
| USA | mKPz M47 G · M48A2 C |
| USSR | ◊T-72M1 |
