Difference between revisions of "Leopard 2A4"

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== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
−
''The armor protection on the Leopard 2A4 can be described as "decent" with the essential areas covered but not much more. While the turret cheeks are well protected against both kinetic(~400mm equivalent, sloped) and chemical(~620mm equivalent, sloped) rounds, the upper frontal plate of the chassis will generally not stop an APDSFS(~150mm equivalent, sloped) round from any of it's competitors but will prevent most chemical rounds from penetrating(~520mm equivalent, sloped) and the lower front plate is even more vulnerable(280mm equivalent vs HEAT and , 150mm equivalent vs kinetic projectiles, both sloped). Like in the case of it's competitors, the turret ring is unprotected, and so are the sides of the hull, while the cannon breech is also lacking in protection but it is not completely absent. The 4 crew members are tightly packed with the driver, gunner and commander all forming a line on the right hand side of the tank, making them easy to eliminate in one hit, thus knocking out the tank, if the Leopard 2A4 is facing the enemy with it's hull and turret aligned towards it. The ammo rack of the tank is positioned in front, on the left hand side, and makes for an easy target though the disadvantage can be easily negated by simply using cover to engage in a hull-down position. There is also a ready-rack a the back of the turret, with blow-out panels to prevent the detonation of the ready-rack from destroying the vehicle(note that FPE must be researched in order for the ammo burnout to be put out). The armor protection is generally enough if you wish to engage in a long range style of combat as shells will deviate ever so slightly from their predicted path, giving your armor a chance of absorbing them without much damage to be received, though the same can not be said if you wish to engage in fast paced urban combat where shells will land precisely where aimed and enemies will generally attack your sides.''
+
The armour protection on the Leopard 2A4 can be described as "decent" with the essential areas covered but not much more. While the turret cheeks are well protected against both kinetic (~400mm equivalent, sloped) and chemical (~620mm equivalent, sloped) rounds, the upper frontal plate of the chassis will generally not stop an APDSFS (~150mm equivalent, sloped) round from any of its competitors, but will prevent most chemical rounds from penetrating (~520mm equivalent, sloped). However, the lower front plate is even more vulnerable (280mm equivalent vs HEAT and, 150mm equivalent vs kinetic projectiles, both sloped). Like in the case of its competitors, the turret ring is unprotected and so are the hull sides. While the cannon breech is also lacking in protection, it is not completely absent.
 +
 
 +
The four crew members are tightly packed with the driver, gunner and commander all forming a line on the starboard side of the tank, making them easy to eliminate in one hit if the Leopard 2A4 is facing the enemy with its hull and turret aligned towards it, thus knocking out the tank. The ammo rack of the tank is positioned in front on the port side, and makes for an easy target. This disadvantage can be easily negated by simply using cover to engage in a hull-down position. There is also a ready-rack at the back of the turret, with blow-out panels to prevent the detonation of the ready-rack from destroying the vehicle (note that ''FPE'' must be researched in order for the ammo burnout to be put out).
 +
 
 +
The armour protection is generally enough if you wish to engage in a long range style of combat as shells will deviate ever so slightly from their predicted path, giving your armour a chance of absorbing them without much damage to be received, though the same can not be said if you wish to engage in fast paced urban combat where shells will land precisely where aimed and enemies will generally attack your sides.
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
Line 189: Line 193:
  
 
== Usage in the battles ==
 
== Usage in the battles ==
−
''When stock, the heat round will help you pick enemies from a distance, thus avoiding taking damage as you will have no parts nor FPE but will not be enough against some tanks like the M1 Abrams and the T-80B; T-64B when these tanks are equipped with add-on ERA, but that becomes less of a problem once you have unlocked kinetic shells. The vehicle , like most of it's own league can be played as a sniper tank due to it's excellent optics, or in an urban environment thanks to it's powerful engine, high top speed and acceleration and potent top shell which allows quick but deadly snapshots. Notable enemies are, on one hand the IPM1 and M1 Abrams which are almost completely immune to your stock HEAT round but have a weak turret ring and the russian MBTs which can equip add-on armor in order to negate the effects of an initial HEAT shell, subsequent penetration is generally possible after the ERA blocks have been detonated; ERA blocks are negated by the use of APDSFS ammunition, notably the DM23 vs T-80B while the DM13 will be enough for all of the others, given a chassis hit.''
+
When stock, the HEATFS round will help you pick enemies from a distance, thus avoiding taking damage as you will have no ''Parts'' nor ''FPE'', but will not be enough against some tanks like the [[M1 Abrams]] and the [[T-80B]]; [[T-64B]] when these tanks are equipped with add-on ERA. This becomes less of a problem once you have unlocked kinetic shells.
 +
 
 +
The vehicle, like most of its own league, can be played as a sniper tank due to its excellent optics, or in an urban environment thanks to its powerful engine, high top speed and acceleration and potent top shell which allows quick, but deadly snapshots.
 +
 
 +
Notable enemies are, on one hand, the [[IPM1]] and M1 Abrams which are almost completely immune to your stock HEAT round, but have a weak turret ring and the Russian MBTs which can equip add-on armor in order to negate the effects of an initial HEAT shell, subsequent penetration is generally possible after the ERA blocks have been detonated; ERA blocks are negated by the use of APDSFS ammunition, notably the DM23 vs T-80B while the DM13 will be enough for all of the others, given a chassis hit.
  
 
===Modules===
 
===Modules===
Line 222: Line 230:
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
−
 
 
* Powerful engine, high top speed and acceleration
 
* Powerful engine, high top speed and acceleration
 
* High scope magnification for long range operations
 
* High scope magnification for long range operations
 
* Potent selection of ammunition
 
* Potent selection of ammunition
−
* Effective turret armor
+
* Effective turret armour
−
 
 
−
*
 
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
−
 
+
* Hull armour leaves much to be desired
−
* Hull armor leaves much to be desired
 
 
* Can be easily ammo racked  
 
* Can be easily ammo racked  
 
* Difficult stock grind
 
* Difficult stock grind
−
* Next to no AA capability, can not reliably eliminate attacking helicopters
+
* Next to no anti-air capability, can not reliably eliminate attacking helicopters except with the 120 mm cannon
  
−
*
+
== History ==
 +
Based on the testing results gathered from the various different [[Leopard 2K]] prototypes, a new Leopard 2 prototype was constructed that would be more representative of the final version of the vehicle. Designated as Leopard 2AV, the new prototype featured a redesigned hull and turret over the Leopard 2K. Furthermore, the prototype was tested with two different cannons; the British [[L7A1 (105 mm)|L7 105mm]] rifled and the German [[Rheinmetall L44 (120 mm)|Rheinmetall 120mm smoothbore cannon]].
  
−
== History ==
+
In 1976, the Leopard 2AV was sent overseas to the United States to be comparatively tested against the new American state-of-the-art [[XM-1 (Chrysler)|XM1 Abrams]]. During testing, the Leopard 2AV proved itself as a good counterpart to the Abrams, outperforming its competitor in terms of fire accuracy, whilst demonstrating somewhat inferior protection and gun handling. Upon arriving back to its homeland with positive testing results, the decision was made to begin mass production of the Leopard 2 in 1977.
−
''The vehicle has a long development history, more that can be possibly fit into this article and can not be summarized without omitting details.''
+
 
 +
The production version Leopard 2, however, differed from the AV prototype in receiving an increased level of protection before mass production began. Mass production of the Leopard 2 started in 1979 with the Leopard 2A0 forming the first batch that would enter service with the German Bundeswehr in late 1980.
 +
 
 +
Throughout the production period of the early Leopard 2 versions, modernization and upgrades were being applied on the assembly line in order to keep the newest Leopards up to the latest standards. These modernization efforts mostly involved the upgrading of internal modules such as the aiming and communications systems. As a result of this, all early Leopard 2s (A0-A4) were visually neigh identical to each other. The Leopard 2A4 was the final early Leopard 2 variant before the more advanced and heavily upgraded subsequent Leopard 2 versions made their appearance as part of a new wave of modernization efforts.
 +
 
 +
A total of 695 Leopard 2A4s were built out of the total of 2.125 early Leopard 2s that were manufactured between 1979 - 1991. The Leopard 2 and its variants served primarily with the German Bundeswehr, but a number of export vehicles were sold to nations world-wide, ranging from Canada and Chile, over Denmark and Austria to Greece and Turkey to name a few.
  
−
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopard_2#History
+
''-From [https://warthunder.com/en/news/5539-development-leopard-2a4-setting-the-standard-en Devblog]''
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
−
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1NXlu1h6s4]
+
{{Youtube-gallery|F1NXlu1h6s4|Leopard 2A4 Tank Review - War Thunder (AB)<br>-By ''NUSensei''}}
  
 
== Read also ==
 
== Read also ==
 +
* [[Leopard 2K]]
  
−
* [[Leopard 2K]]
+
* [https://warthunder.com/en/news/5539-development-leopard-2a4-setting-the-standard-en [Devblog<nowiki>]</nowiki> Leopard 2A4: Setting The Standard]
  
 
== Sources ==
 
== Sources ==
−
 
+
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:
−
* ''www.wikipedia.com''  
+
* topic on the official game forum;
−
* War Thunder
+
* other literature.''
  
 
{{Germany medium tanks}}
 
{{Germany medium tanks}}

Revision as of 18:13, 17 February 2019

Rank VI USSR | Premium | Golden Eagles
Su-25K Pack
Leopard 2A4
germ_leopard_2a4.png
Leopard 2A4
Germany flag.png Germany
VII Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
10.7 10.7 10.7
Class:
Research:300 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:830 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

GarageImage Leopard 2A4.jpg


The Leopard 2A4 is a Rank VII German medium tank with a battle rating of 10.7 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.79 "Project X".

General info

Survivability and armour

The armour protection on the Leopard 2A4 can be described as "decent" with the essential areas covered but not much more. While the turret cheeks are well protected against both kinetic (~400mm equivalent, sloped) and chemical (~620mm equivalent, sloped) rounds, the upper frontal plate of the chassis will generally not stop an APDSFS (~150mm equivalent, sloped) round from any of its competitors, but will prevent most chemical rounds from penetrating (~520mm equivalent, sloped). However, the lower front plate is even more vulnerable (280mm equivalent vs HEAT and, 150mm equivalent vs kinetic projectiles, both sloped). Like in the case of its competitors, the turret ring is unprotected and so are the hull sides. While the cannon breech is also lacking in protection, it is not completely absent.

The four crew members are tightly packed with the driver, gunner and commander all forming a line on the starboard side of the tank, making them easy to eliminate in one hit if the Leopard 2A4 is facing the enemy with its hull and turret aligned towards it, thus knocking out the tank. The ammo rack of the tank is positioned in front on the port side, and makes for an easy target. This disadvantage can be easily negated by simply using cover to engage in a hull-down position. There is also a ready-rack at the back of the turret, with blow-out panels to prevent the detonation of the ready-rack from destroying the vehicle (note that FPE must be researched in order for the ammo burnout to be put out).

The armour protection is generally enough if you wish to engage in a long range style of combat as shells will deviate ever so slightly from their predicted path, giving your armour a chance of absorbing them without much damage to be received, though the same can not be said if you wish to engage in fast paced urban combat where shells will land precisely where aimed and enemies will generally attack your sides.

Mobility

Mobility characteristic
Weight (tons) Add-on Armour
weight (tons) 		Max speed (km/h)
56.0 N/A 79 (AB)
72 (RB/SB)
Engine power (horsepower)
Mode Stock Upgraded
Arcade 2,032 ____
Realistic/Simulator 1,327 ____
Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Mode Stock Upgraded
Arcade 36.29 __.__
Realistic/Simulator 23.70 __.__

Armaments

Main armament

Main article: Rheinmetall L44 (120 mm)
120 mm Rheinmetall L44
Capacity Vertical
guidance 		Horizontal
guidance 		Stabilizer
42 -9°/+20° ±180° Two-plane
Turret rotation speed (°/s)
Mode Stock Upgraded Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert qualif. Prior + Ace qualif.
Arcade 38.08 52.71 64.00 __.__ 75.29
Realistic 23.8 28.0 34.0 37.6 40.0
Reloading rate (seconds)
Stock Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert qualif. Prior + Ace qualif.
7.80 6.9 6.4 __.__
Ammunition
Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Penetration in mm @ 0° Angle of Attack
10m 100m 500m 1000m 1500m 2000m
DM12 HEATFS 650 650 650 650 650 650
DM13 APFSDS 417 414 410 400 395 390
DM23 APFSDS 410 408 401 393 384 376
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Velocity
in m/s 		Projectile
Mass in kg 		Fuse delay

in m:

Fuse sensitivity

in mm:

Explosive Mass in g
(TNT equivalent): 		Normalization At 30°
from horizontal: 		Ricochet:
0% 50% 100%
DM12 HEATFS 1,140 14 0.0 0.1 1,640 +0° 65° 72° 75°
DM13 APFSDS 1650 3 N/A N/A N/A +1.5° 76° 77° 78°
DM23 APFSDS 1640 4.3 N/A N/A N/A +1.5° 78° 80° 81°
Ammo racks
Ammo racks of the Leopard 2A4.
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
42 16 (+26) 1 (+41) no

1st rack empty: 16 (+26)

2nd rack has blowout panels

Machine guns

Main article: MG 3A1 (7.62 mm)
7.62 mm MG 3A1
Pintle mount
Capacity (Belt capacity) Fire rate
(shots/minute) 		Vertical
guidance 		Horizontal
guidance
2,000 (1,000) 1,200 -8°/+20° ±120°
Coaxial mount
Capacity (Belt capacity) Fire rate
(shots/minute) 		Vertical
guidance 		Horizontal
guidance
4,500 (1,000) 1,200 N/A N/A

Usage in the battles

When stock, the HEATFS round will help you pick enemies from a distance, thus avoiding taking damage as you will have no Parts nor FPE, but will not be enough against some tanks like the M1 Abrams and the T-80B; T-64B when these tanks are equipped with add-on ERA. This becomes less of a problem once you have unlocked kinetic shells.

The vehicle, like most of its own league, can be played as a sniper tank due to its excellent optics, or in an urban environment thanks to its powerful engine, high top speed and acceleration and potent top shell which allows quick, but deadly snapshots.

Notable enemies are, on one hand, the IPM1 and M1 Abrams which are almost completely immune to your stock HEAT round, but have a weak turret ring and the Russian MBTs which can equip add-on armor in order to negate the effects of an initial HEAT shell, subsequent penetration is generally possible after the ERA blocks have been detonated; ERA blocks are negated by the use of APDSFS ammunition, notably the DM23 vs T-80B while the DM13 will be enough for all of the others, given a chassis hit.

Modules

Tier Mobility Protection Firepower
I Tracks Parts Horizontal drive, DM13
II Suspension, Brake System FPE Adjustment of Fire
III Filters Crew replenishment Elevation mechanism, Smoke grenade
IV Transmission, Engine Artillery support, DM23, Laser rangefinder

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Powerful engine, high top speed and acceleration
  • High scope magnification for long range operations
  • Potent selection of ammunition
  • Effective turret armour

Cons:

  • Hull armour leaves much to be desired
  • Can be easily ammo racked
  • Difficult stock grind
  • Next to no anti-air capability, can not reliably eliminate attacking helicopters except with the 120 mm cannon

History

Based on the testing results gathered from the various different Leopard 2K prototypes, a new Leopard 2 prototype was constructed that would be more representative of the final version of the vehicle. Designated as Leopard 2AV, the new prototype featured a redesigned hull and turret over the Leopard 2K. Furthermore, the prototype was tested with two different cannons; the British L7 105mm rifled and the German Rheinmetall 120mm smoothbore cannon.

In 1976, the Leopard 2AV was sent overseas to the United States to be comparatively tested against the new American state-of-the-art XM1 Abrams. During testing, the Leopard 2AV proved itself as a good counterpart to the Abrams, outperforming its competitor in terms of fire accuracy, whilst demonstrating somewhat inferior protection and gun handling. Upon arriving back to its homeland with positive testing results, the decision was made to begin mass production of the Leopard 2 in 1977.

The production version Leopard 2, however, differed from the AV prototype in receiving an increased level of protection before mass production began. Mass production of the Leopard 2 started in 1979 with the Leopard 2A0 forming the first batch that would enter service with the German Bundeswehr in late 1980.

Throughout the production period of the early Leopard 2 versions, modernization and upgrades were being applied on the assembly line in order to keep the newest Leopards up to the latest standards. These modernization efforts mostly involved the upgrading of internal modules such as the aiming and communications systems. As a result of this, all early Leopard 2s (A0-A4) were visually neigh identical to each other. The Leopard 2A4 was the final early Leopard 2 variant before the more advanced and heavily upgraded subsequent Leopard 2 versions made their appearance as part of a new wave of modernization efforts.

A total of 695 Leopard 2A4s were built out of the total of 2.125 early Leopard 2s that were manufactured between 1979 - 1991. The Leopard 2 and its variants served primarily with the German Bundeswehr, but a number of export vehicles were sold to nations world-wide, ranging from Canada and Chile, over Denmark and Austria to Greece and Turkey to name a few.

-From Devblog

Media

Leopard 2A4 Tank Review - War Thunder (AB)
-By NUSensei

Read also

Sources

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

  • topic on the official game forum;
  • other literature.


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

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