KNDS has unveiled the second prototype Leopard 2A-RC 3.0 with an uninhabited turret and crew inside the hull — a revolution in Leopard 2 design

Leopard 2A-RC 3.0

The Franco-German defense company KNDS has unveiled the second prototype of the next-generation Leopard 2A-RC 3.0 main battle tank, which stands out for its revolutionary layout with an uninhabited turret and the placement of three crew members (commander, gunner and driver) completely inside the hull. This scheme is very different from the Russian T-14 Armata and the American Abrams X concept, where the uninhabited tower is organized differently.

Leopard 2A-RC 3.0 is based on the Leopard 2 tracked chassis with a weight of less than 60 tons and dimensions of about 7.95 m in length (11.17 m with cannon), 3.77 m wide and 2.44 m high to the roof of the tower. The powerful MTU diesel engine develops 1,500 hp, providing speeds of over 65 km/h and a range of about 460 km.

The main innovation is an uninhabited turret with an automatic loader and the ability to mount 120 mm, 130 mm or even 140 mm guns (including the 140 mm Ascalon cannon developed by KNDS). The automatic loading system allows you to fire at high speed — up to three rounds in 10 seconds. Instead of the classic "basket" in the turret, the ammunition and mechanisms are completely isolated from the crew, which increases protection and frees up additional space inside the hull.

The tank is equipped with modern multispectral sensors, X-by-Wire fire control systems, integration with UAVs and digital communication and control systems. The turret has a lowered height, which reduces the damage area by 30% and makes the tank less noticeable on the battlefield. The protection system uses the Israeli Trophy active protection, and the reservation is reinforced, providing protection from 57 mm projectiles.

This layout allows the entire crew to be placed inside the hull, rather than in the turret, which, according to the developers, increases survivability and comfort for the crew, improving tactical awareness.

Thus, the Leopard 2A-RC 3.0 represents a major technological upgrade of the classic Leopard 2 with an emphasis on increased protection, firepower and digital capabilities, being an intermediate step towards the promising European MGCS tank.