KanJPz/RakJPz (Family)
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Contents
In-Game Vehicles
Rank V Vehicles
Rank VI Vehicles
Kanonenjagdpanzer
Development
In 1960, the Bundeswehr decided to use the 90 mm M36 gun from the M47 Patton tank in a series of German tank destroyers. The design would be doctrinally similar to the World War 2 tank destroyers of the Wehrmacht. The specifications were given to three companies, Hanomag, Henschel, and the Swiss manufacturer MOWAG. The prototypes were tested, and Henschel and Hanomag were kept for pre-production. They made two more prototypes with the BK 90/L40 made by Rheinmetall, based on the 90 mm M36 gun from the United States. In 1965 the design was accepted by the Bundeswehr. It was known as the Kanonenjagdpanzer, also known as the Kanonenjagdpanzer 4-5, the Kanonenjagdpanzer 90, or the Jagdpanzer Kanone 90. The name could be shortened to KanJPz or KnJPz.
Design
Hull
Drivetrain/Powerplant
The powerplant of the KanJPz was a MTU MB 837 Aa V8 29.4 L water-cooled multi-fuel diesel engine, which produced 500 hp. The suspension that was used was an independent torsion bar design. It had five double road wheels, three return rollers, a rear drive sprocket, and a front idler wheel. The maximum speed on-road was 70 kph (43.5 mph).
Armament
The main armament consisted of a BK 90/L40 90 mm gun, and carried 51 rounds for the main cannon. The gun could traverse 15° to the side and had -8° to +15° depression and elevation.Secondary armament consisted of two 7.62 mm MG3 machine guns. One was co-axial, while the other was mounted on a ring on the commander's hatch. The KanJPz included infrared sight systems.
Production and Service
770 units were ordered and delivered, with 385 made by Henschel and 385 made by Hanomag. They were delivered from 1965 and 1967. Belgium received 80 KanJPz in 1975, which served until the late 1980's.
The KanJPz was a successful design, but the USSR began to use the T-64 and T-72, which the 90 mm gun of the Kanonenjagdpanzer could not penetrate from a distance. Hanomag and Henschel proposed an improved armament of a 105 mm gun. Instead, in 1983, 163 were converted to the Jaguar 2. The Jaguar 2 was a version that had the main gun removed, and had a TOW missile launcher added. In addition, some units were the made as Beobachtungspanzers. The Beobachtungspanzer was a variant that was intended as an artillery observation vehicle, with the main gun removed, in order to guide mortar units.
