Rheinmetall has unveiled a mechanized fire support variant of its Lynx KF41 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), known as the Lynx 120. This latest addition to the company’s Lynx next-generation combat vehicle family offers the user outstanding fire support and anti-tank capabilities through merging a tried-and-tested turret concept and the proven 120mm smoothbore cannon with the Lynx KF 41 chassis.
The Lynx 120 offers a well-balanced blend of lethality, protection, mobility and survivability. Featuring off-the-shelf components, meticulous engineering reduces the vehicle’s weight, while customizable protection packages round out the package. The vehicle architecture has been simplified and provides an open ‘plug-and-play’ capability for future upgrades, while complying with, and adapting to, NATO standards.
Utilizing the Lynx KF 41 modular chassis and a scalable large-caliber turret concept, the Lynx 120 is a high-performance solution, harbouring vast growth potential and an assured overmatch capability. It is designed to deliver maximum lethality and firepower on tracks paired with the latest defense technologies to keep adversaries at bay.
The vehicle’s main armament is a Rheinmetall 120mm smoothbore gun, derived from the main armament of the Leopard 2. It can fire state-of-the-art DM11 programmable high-explosive projectiles. Its secondary armament includes a coaxial machine gun. The commander’s independent weapon station will feature an additional .50 cal. machine gun. A 360° camera system with automatic target detection and tracking reduces the crew’s workload in all operational scenarios. Special protection modules enable a mission-specific response to ballistic threats, improvised explosive devices, explosively formed penetrators and artillery fire, and can be quickly mounted with limited tools.
The Lynx 120 can be readily equipped with the proven, already fielded Rheinmetall Active Defence System to defeat rocket-propelled grenades and antitank missiles. Additional armor packages and active protection systems can be provided on request.
The platform is currently a strong contender in Australian and Slovak IFV modernization plans and is competing for the USA’s Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) program. Hungary became the launch customer in 2021. Going beyond strictly military aspects such as increased interoperability and capability upgrades, major localization elements form an integral part of these procurement plans, aimed at boosting local industry and creating jobs.
