Radaufklärungspanzer Luchs 3

The RadAufkPz Luchs 3 (German: Radaufklärungspanzer “Luchs 3”; wheeled reconnaissance tank “lynx 3”) is an wheeled armored reconnaissance vehicle, sometimes classed as a light tank used by the Heer. It is manufactured by ARTEC, a Rheinmetall-led consortium, in Vienna. It is very similar to the SPz Wolf, but mounts various reconnaissance equipment instead of carrying an infantry squad. It is issued to mechanized and motorized units to serve in the reconnaissance role.

Development

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The RadAufkPz concept was conceived at a November 1995 meeting of senior armor and cavalry officials. At this meeting, officials decided a future scout would be included in the Heer’s armor modernization plan. In March 1996, the Panzerkommission at Wrangel Palace recommended that the Heer develop a future scout vehicle to be ready for production around 2004 to 2006. The Heer considered the RadPz Nashorn and the GTK, which would later become the SPz Wolf, as the basis for the chassis. The group projected that the future scout program would cost ℛ︁ℳ︁ 1.298 billion (US$ 1 billion). The Panzerkommission recommended that the Heer] forgo the tracked armored reconnaissance vehicle, and instead upgrade 278 SPz Marder 1s with Kuka E8 turrets.

The Armor Center concluded the SpPz Luchs 1 was approaching its design limit and had many disadvantages as a scout; namely, it lacked stealth and its 20 mm cannon lacked growth potential against future threats. The Panzerkommission also suggested the Heer consider a joint project with the Kriegsmarine, which was drafting requirements for a future light combat vehicle. In October 1996, the Heer and Kriegsmarine signed a letter of intent to jointly work on a future scout vehicle. Developing the program with Kriegsmarine cooperation was expected to save the Heer 30-40% through the engineering and manufacturing development phase.

The Heer was given contracting authority for phase one, or the advanced technology demonstration phase. Phase two, engineering and manufacturing development, would proceed with the phase one participants. One contractor would be down-selected for low-rate production. In November 1996, the Heer updated its future scout mission need statement. As of January 1998, the Heer sought to acquire 1,095 of the vehicles, and the Kriegsmarine sought 235. In January 1999, the Heer awarded Ni-Werke and ARTEC, a consortium led by Rheinmetall, each a ℛ︁ℳ︁ 161.217 million (US$ 147 million) contract for the 42-month-long advanced technology demonstration phase of the project.

In a report issued that same month, an Reich War Ministry official called for a review of the future scout program. The Reich War Ministry official criticized the vehicle's proposed ℛ︁ℳ︁ 3.406-5.677 million (US$ 3-5 million) unit cost versus the ℛ︁ℳ︁ 4.087 million (US$ 3.6 million) tracked scout. The report said that while the Heermission need statement specified a lightly armored vehicle, the vehicle specified in the requirements was more like a "wheeled medium tank" comparable to the RadPz Bismarck. In February, the Heer began working with the Kriegsmarine to revise the requirements of the joint program to resolve the OSD's concerns. The new requirements, which went into effect in March, pacified the Reich War Ministry.

Many requirements were loosened at the Reich War Ministry's request. For example, the new requirements clarified that the primary armament need not be an autocannon. In October, the OKH laid out a vision for a heavier, more protected armored force. The Army launched an interim armored vehicle acquisition program, and began investing in armor technologies for future manned ground vehicle programs. Due to the increase in weight of the prospective vehicle, and to help pay for warship construction, the Kriegsmarine decided to terminate its end of the scout program. In December 1999, the OKM said the service would end its participation in the joint program after the completion of the advanced technology demonstration phase.

At the time, the Heer was still very much committed to its participation in the project. The OKM, believing that continued participation in the program was unnecessary given the service’s disinterest, deleted its funding for completing the ATD phase. However, OKW persuaded the OKM to restore funding in October 2000. In October 2001, the Kriegsmarine officially exited the program. In July 2006, it had been announced that the SPz Wolf was one of 2 vehicle types, down-selected out of 4, that would take part in a 12-month risk mitigation assessment program for the future armored reconnaissance vehicle project. In March 2008, it was announced that Rheinmetall had been selected as the preferred tenderer for the program.

The program called for an additional buy of 211 vehicles, with a roll out of initial vehicles by 2011 and deliveries scheduled to be complete by 2016. In German service, the SpPz Wolf will replace the Heer’s aging fleet of 257 SpPz Luchs 1 that would reach their life-of-type around 2011. Under Rheinmetall's offering, the first batch of 25 vehicles will be built by Ni-Werke, with Rheinmetall employees embedded into Ni-Werke teams to learn the necessary skills before transferring back to Rheinmetall for the build of the remaining vehicles. Rheinmetall’s military vehicle center of excellence in Vienna will be the hub for the production of the majority of the vehicles, the Ostmark build programme including about 40 local suppliers.

These industrial opportunities created up to 1,450 jobs across the Ostmark. The acquisition and sustainment of the vehicles is estimated to cost up to ℛ︁ℳ︁ 8.219 billion (US$ 12.2 billion), with acquisition being worth ℛ︁ℳ︁ 2.74 billion (US$$ 4.067 billion) and the remaining ℛ︁ℳ︁ 5.479 billion (US$ 8.133 billion) for sustainment over the vehicles' 30-year life. In March 2009, the OKH inspected the first RadAufkPz Luchs 3 being delivered to the Heer under the future scout program prior to its shipping to Kummersdorf for tests. In July that year, the first 25 RadAufkPz Luchs 3 being built in Germany arrived in Kummersdorf. The initial 25 vehicles delivered are split into 13 reconnaissance platforms and 12 multi-purpose training vehicles.

These vehicles received a number of experimental modifications prior to final delivery to active service units. The first combat vehicles delivered were used for training purposes as well by October 2010. In April 2012, it was revealed that a contract was signed for 4 RadAufkPz Luch 3 vehicles equipped with panoramic above-armor gimballed sensors would be manufactured in 2013, with a follow-on production contract anticipated in 2015. Under this agreement, Rheinmetall would deliver a further 211 RadAufkPz Luch 3s with such a configuration to the Heer. The Luch 3 and its variants are expected to fill 4 different roles on the battlefield; reconnaissance, command and control, joint fires and surveillance.

Design

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The Luchs 3 follows a conventional layout with a front-mounted engine and a rear compartment for the dismounts. The platform and drive module has the driver located in front to the right. The commander and gunner sit in a center-mounted two-man turret. Placing the engine up front meant that the powerplant was positioned between any threats and its crew, providing an extra layer of protection. The engine compartment also has its own fire extinguishing system.

The crew has 3 hatches: 2 on the turret, 1 for the tank commander and the other for the gunner, and 1 on the left side of the hull for the driver. Additionally, in an emergency, all crew members can evacuate the vehicle through an armored door located at the back of the hull. Its structure and its technological systems are able to operate even at external temperatures from -30° C to +55° C thanks to the air conditioning system integrated into the modern air filtering system.

Armament
Primary armament
The Luchs 3 carries its armament in a two-man turret. It is armed with a 30 mm Mauser Mk 30/2 ABM autocannon, designated KwK 302/2 in German service. The weapon is electrically stabilized in two axes, which allows the vehicle to engage both stationary and moving targets. The Luchs 3 carries 200 rounds of 30 mm in the turret and a further 205 rounds within the hull.

The dual belt-fed 30 mm cannon is able to fire a 30x173mm round out to at least 3-4 km at 800 rounds per minute with a muzzle velocity of up to 1,450 m/s. Ammunition options include APFSDS-T rounds weighing 230 g and capable of penetrating 100+ mm of RHA at 1,000 m, SAPHEI and HEI rounds weighing 363 g, and programmable air-burst rounds. Elevation is from -10° to +50° with 360° electro-hydraulic turret traverse.

The Luchs 3 carries a side-mounted launcher for 2 PAL.200 MELLS ATGMs, which are an unlicensed development of the Israeli Spike-LR missile. Each missile weighs 12.7 kg and has a range of 5.5 km, with guidance provided by a cooled IR sensor. The standard tandem-charge warhead can penetrate at least 910 mm of RHA. To counter APS, the missile can adjust its trajectory for impact angles of up to 70°. 5 reloads are carried inside the vehicle.

Secondary armament
For secondary armament, the Luchs 3 carries a 7.62×51mm NATO machine gun. The standard coaxial machine gun carried by the Luchs 3 is the MG3. It has a rate of fire of 1,000-1,200 rpm with the standard bolt, a muzzle velocity of 820 m/s and a maximum effective range of 3 km. It feeds from 100-round DM60 disintegrating belts. Vehicles produced from 2015 onwards carry the MG5 instead. The Luchs 3 carries 700 rounds of 7.62 mm in the turret ready to fire. Up to 2,200 further rounds for all 7.62 mm machine guns are stored inside the hull.

The coaxial machine gun is supplemented by a MG5A1 machine gun carried on the FLW 100 RWS. Like the MG3 it was meant to replace, it fires 7.62×51mm NATO ammunition. The MG5A1 has a selectable rate of fire with options for 640, 720 and 800 rounds per minute. Muzzle velocity is 840 m/s and maximum range is 3.75 km. The MG5A1 is fed by 120-round DM60 belts in belt boxes. The FLW 100 itself is carried on the roof of the turret bustle. It weighs 80 kg unarmed and does not penetrate the vehicle. The FLW 100 has a maximum gun depression of –15° and a maximum elevation of +75°. The sensors consist of a CCD color camera with 10× magnification and an identification range of up to 1.5 km, as well as an uncooled thermal imager with a 640x480 resolution and identification range of 1 km.

The commander is provided with a Rheinmetall Main Sensor Slaved Armament, which allows him to be able to independently engage targets with the secondary weapon for a "killer-killer" capability. The LoF of this secondary weapon is able to follow the commander’s LoS, and is stabilized in the elevation and azimuth axes. The MSSA essentially serves as an anti-aircraft mount at high elevation in close range; it can be even used to engage UAVs. The standard weapon usually carried on the MSSA as mounted on the Luchs 3 is the MG5 machine gun.

Protection
The hull of the Luchs 3 is constructed from several rolled steel armor plates. Armor protection is provided by AMAP lightweight aluminum-ceramic composite armor modules. These are mounted "integrated" into the hull as its base armor protection. The basic armor provides protection against 30 mm APFSDS rounds fired from a 1,000 m range over the forward 30° arc and 25 mm rounds over the remainder of the frontal 60° arc. All-around protection is provided against 14.5 mm API rounds from a range of 500 m. Additional armor modules can be fitted to protect the frontal arc against 40 mm APFSDS rounds fired from distances of 1,000 m. The Luchs 3 is also fitted with spall-liners in order to decrease casualties in case of armor penetration.

Primary protection
The armor is arrayed in a "multiple bulkhead" arrangement. The hull and the turret serve as a housing for the armor, with the outer and inner armor plates being load-bearing members. The frontal hull and turret glacis contain 4 layers of AMAP modules, while the hull and turret sides contain 2 layers. AMAP is a 4th-generation composite armor that utilizes new advanced steel alloys, aluminum-titanium alloys, nanometric steels, ceramics and nano-ceramics. Each module consists of ceramic tiles glued on a backing liner and overlaid by a cover, a concept which is also used by MEXAS. AMAP's glue and lining components work efficiently even at high temperatures.

The new high-hardened steel needs 30% less thickness to offer the same protection level as high hardness armor steel, while the Mat 7720 new aluminum-titanium alloy needs only 38% of the weight to offer as much protection as RHA to reach a similar level of protection. AMAP also makes use of new nano-ceramics, which are harder and lighter than current ceramics, while having multi-hit capability. The new nano-crystalline ceramic materials increase the hardness compared to current ceramics by 70% and the weight reduction is 30%, providing mass efficiency value is larger than 4. Furthermore, the higher fracture toughness increases the general multi-hit capability.

Secondary protection
For increased protection against mines, the floor is reinforced with corrugations. This is further reinforced by an additional mine protection plate on the belly, which can protect against heavy blast mines of up to 10 kg and EFPs, while maintaining a ground clearance of 450 mm. The crew has additional protection in the form of a 25 mm thick spall liner. The exhaust is mixed with fresh air and vented at the rear left side. Together with a special IR-suppressing paint, this aims at reducing the thermal signature of the assault gun.

The driver is provided with a suspended dynamic seat developed by Autoflug, in order to protect him from mines and vehicular accidents. This seat, which contains an integrated harness, is suspended from the vehicle ceiling by four straps, decoupling the driver and seat from the hull of the tank. These straps have belt retractors attached to the ceiling, which the driver uses to adjust seat height above and below the hatch. The seat is tightened by further straps in a way that ensures the driver remains fixed in his position, even if the tank collides with another tank or flips over.

The Luchs 3’s design follows the concept of compartmentation; possible sources of fire or explosions have been moved away from the crew. In the turret, the ammunition and the hydraulics are located in compartments separated from the crew. In case of a detonation, the blow-off panels on the compartment roofs will direct the explosion and fire away from the crew. The crew is also protected against nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) threats, as the Luchs 3 is equipped with a Dräger NBC overpressurization system, which provides up to 4 millibars (4.0 hPa) over-pressure inside the vehicle. The crew are provided with air conditioning as well as personal cooling systems.

Active protection
The Luchs 3 is equipped with a soft-kill system called Multifunktionales Selbstschutz-System ("multifunction self protection system"). MUSS consists of an IR jammer, 4 warning sensors, and 8 76 mm smoke dispensers for multi-spectral countermeasures mounted on the turret rear sides. The IR jammer is a 1.3 kW multi-spectral diode pump laser and is mounted on the turret roof. It is effective out to 5 km and is cued on the target by the sensor heads. The jammer has an elevation range of -13° to +70° and rotates 360°. Each sensor head consists of a UV detector and a laser warning receiver. They have a detection range of 7 km and are mounted on each turret face. Each sensor head covers 95°, both in azimuth and elevation, for a combined 360° coverage.

MUSS is controlled by a central computer, which is supported by an INS and dedicated control units for the jammer and smoke dispensers. ROSY, a directed smoke obscuring system replacing the usual 76 mm smoke grenade launchers, is integrated with MUSS. It consists of a dedicated control unit, integrated into the MUSS central control unit, and 4 arrays of smoke grenade launchers. Each array consists of 3 banks of 5 40 mm multispectral smoke grenades each. It can either fire in the direction of a threat, cued by MUSS warning sensors, or discharge all smoke grenades at once to form a traditional smoke screen. For 360° coverage, 2 arrays each are placed on the turret front and crew cabin corners.

The Luchs 3 is equipped with the AMAP-ADS Gen3 APS hard-kill active protection system, also known as StrikeShield. It can defeat munitions at ranges of up to 10 m and destroy up to 4 incoming projectiles within a 0.5 m² area with a timing difference of 100 ms between each interception. The AMAP-ADS installation on the Luchs 3 is unique. It consists of a central computing unit, 22 AMAP-ADS effector boxes paired with 10 radar units and 23 electro-optical sensors, and 4 launchers for AVePS grenade-type countermeasures. Each launcher consists of 4 grenades, a radar unit, and an electro-optical sensor head. The AVePS launchers, as well as 2 standard AMAP-ADS modules located on top of the crew cabin, are intended to protect against top-attack munitions.

The radars are short-ranged Ka-band units with flat-panel GaN AESA antennas. They have a range of 10-35 m, a 1 W power output, and cannot be detected by ESM at ranges greater than 350-400 m. The radars are "early warning" sensors used to determine whether a threat is coming at the vehicle. The EO sensors are "ladar" units used at ranges of 2-4 m. These are activated for fine-tracking of the threat after its vector is confirmed in order to engage it at an intercept point 1 m away from the vehicle. There are two types of countermeasures available; heavy metal powder in effector boxes and blast grenades. The heavy metal powder acts as a dense inert metal explosive; as it is fired directed blast at a threat, it behaves like a solid metal body. After a few meters, it then spreads fast and decelerates.

In contrast, the grenades are projectiles with 3 kg HE warheads. Grenades with HE-FRAG warheads, which are more effective against shaped charges, are available but rarely used. RPGs and small-caliber ATGMs can be intercepted within up to 10 m, while large-caliber ATGMs and APFSDS penetrators need at least 25 m of distance. Each AVePS launcher covers 240°, for a combined coverage of 360°. They can traverse more than 600° per second. AVePS's integrated Ka-band radar is slightly more powerful, with an 1.5 kW power output and a 15-52.5 m range. It is used to cue the launcher onto the target; tracking is a function of the EO sensor. System reaction time using only the launchers is 300 ms.

Sensors and situational awareness
Reconnaissance
The Luchs 3 carries a mast-mounted FuMG 3839 "Bür" 4D X-band rotating AESA radar. The "Bür" is capable of tracking 300+ ground targets at ranges of up to 40 km. It has a power rating of 2.1 kW. The "Bür" has 360° azimuth coverage and -10° to 90° elevation coverage. Azimuth accuracy is within 0.2°, elevation accuracy within 0.3° and range accuracy within 15 m. Track update rate is less than 1 s in rotating mode and less than 5 s in staring mode. Mean time between failure is 3,000 hrs, and mean time to repair is less than 30 mins.

The Luchs 3 carries a T.Rbl.F.28 FLIR mounted on a mast. The T.Rbl.F.28 is a 16-in diameter sensor turret. It has 360° azimuth coverage, +100° to -160° elevation range, field elevation of +20° to -120°, and a slew rate of 60°/s. The T.Rbl.F.28 has a 1.067-1.54 μm wavelength 22 Hz pulse diode-pumped laser rangefinder with a range of 20 km and a resolution of 2 m. For target illumination and designation, the T.Rbl.F.28 also has a 1 W 808 nm wavelength diode laser illuminator with 10 mrad of accuracy and a 100 mW 637 nm wavelength diode laser pointer with 1 mrad of accuracy.

The T.Rbl.F.28 has 3 channels; 2 daylight channels and an all-weather channel using an Attica M-ER 3-5 μm wavelength 1280x1024 InSb MWIR continuous zoom thermal imager with 1920×1080 HD resolution. It is a cooled LWIR thermal imager operating in the 8-12 μm wavelength. The Attica M-ER has a resolution of 1280×1024 px, although an optical scanning system can double the output image resolution to 1920x1080 px. Zoom settings are 4x, 8x, 12x, 24x, and 50x. The day channels use a spotter camera with 0.28°-0.48° FOV and a zoom camera with a 0.67°-20° FOV and low-light capability of up to 10 mlx respectively. Both are 2 MP HD TV NIIR-capable cameras with 1920×1080 HD resolution and 2x and 4x digital zoom.

The Luchs 3 is equipped with a KdoG 404 computer to process inputs from its reconnaissance subsystems. It uses a 10 nm process 4-core CPU with a 5.0 GHz clock rate and 12 MB cache. The CPU is coupled to a 10 nm process integrated GPU with a 1.65 GHz clock rate, 768 shading units, 48 TMUs, and 24 ROPs. The KdoG 404 is supported by a built-in AI accelerator and a SIMD vector instruction set. It has 16 GB of DDR4 RAM and a 2 TB SSD for secondary storage. The KdoG 404 runs a Linux distribution and draws 30 W of power, rising to 60 W with air flow cooling.

Fire-control system
The Luchs 3 uses Rheinmetall SEOSS 2.6 sights for the commander and the gunner, designated TWZF.26A2. The TWZF.26A2 is a periscopic sight with a thermal imager for the all-weather channel and a CCD camera for the daytime channel, and is stabilized in 2 axes with an error rate of <0.05 mrad RMS. It features edge enhancement, dynamic compression, homogenization, life image indicator, autofocus, and digital zoom. The gunner's and commander's sights are integrated with an EMES-18 fire control unit. Each fire control unit consists of the sight, a LDM-46 eyesafe laser rangefinder, and a local digital ballistic computer. The gunner's unit is connected directly to the gunlaying mechanisms. The LDM-46 has a wavelength of 1,570 nm and a range of 40 km.

The gunner's sight has an azimuth range of -7° to +7° while the commander's sight covers a full 360° in azimuth. Both have an elevation range of -13° to 70°. Both also have daytime channels with a resolution of 2048×1536 px and zoom settings of 4x, 12x, and 24x, the latter requiring the use of digital zoom. The Saphir thermal imager is used for the all-weather channels of both sights. It is a cooled LWIR thermal imager operating in the 8-12 μm wavelength. The Saphir has a resolution of 1280×1024 px, although an optical scanning system can double the output image resolution to 1920x1080 px. Zoom settings are 4x, 12x, and 24x, the latter also requiring the use of digital zoom. Official range estimates are given as 17-20 km for the detection of a tank-sized target, 8-10 km for recognition and 4.5-5 km for identification.

The local computers carry out functions such as automatic target tracking, target designation, and basic image processing. It has a 22 nm process 2-core CPU with a 3.6 GHz clock rate and a processor graphics unit with a 1 GHz clock rate. Each unit has displays for the sight video feed, local ballistic computer, and BMS. Both computers are networked with each other and the meteorological sensors. The local computers are supported by a KdoG 220 central computer. Aside from carrying out ballistic calculations, it also conducts advanced image processing and runs the BMS. The CPU is a 22 nm process 4-core CPU with a 3.9 GHz clock rate and 8 GB cache, a 28 nm process 1,792-core GPU with a 0.93 GHz clock rate as well as 112 TMUs and 32 ROPs, and 4 GB of DDR4 RAM. The central computer runs the other subsystems and supports those with dedicated computers, such as the APS.

The optics suite is complemented by a Thales Metsman Mk II meteorological sensor. It weighs 3.5 kg, is supplied with 24 V of power and consumes 200 mA, has an MTBF of 29,000 hrs and retracts into the vehicle when not used. The Metsman Mk II features a wind detector, pressure, humidity and temperature sensors, and a compass. It measures wind speed with a resolution of 0.1 km/h with ± 5% error up to 140 km/h, relative wind direction with a resolution of 0.1° within ±4°, true wind direction with a resolution of 0.1° within ±5°, temperature with a resolution of 0.1 C° within ±1 C° from -40C° to +60C° and relative humidity with a resolution of 0.1% within ±2% up to 100%. It also supports the vehicle's navigation system, measuring location as indicated by GPS with a resolution of 1 m within 25 m and pitch/roll with a resolution of 0.1° within 1° from -60° to +60°.

The Luchs 3 is provided with a FuPeil 600 INS unit with an integral FuG 130 GPS receiver for navigation and fire control purposes. The FuPeil 600 is composed of 3 ring-laser gyroscopes and 3 thermal accelerometers. It has a horizontal and vertical position error CEP of 10 m, pitch and roll accuracy of 0.25 mils, and a secant latitude of 0.21 mils. The FuG 130 is integrated with the FuPeil 600. It is a 12-channel SAASM-enabled unit with GUI map display, Y-code and M-code anti-jamming, simultaneous L1/L2 protection, and jamming resistance of up to 100 dB. The FuG 130 has a 7-element CRPA antenna that supports 24 simultaneous steered beams.

The Luchs 3 features Rheinmetall's TacNet Vehicle combat management and information system. TacNet provides blue-force tracking capability, serves to integrate the vehicle's sensors as a FCS, and coordinates vehicle warning systems and countermeasures. Specifications are not disclosed to the public, but TacNet could also indicate the position and status of "believed" enemy units, serve as mission planning software, receive, send and display operational and logistics statuses, as well as messages and complete plans, display all information on a map and support decision-making.

Auxiliary sensor systems
The Luchs 3 has five external cameras at its rear in swing-mounts for self-protection while not in use. Apart from the glass optic periscope view directly accessible by the commander and gunner, as well as indirectly via the turret CCD camera, all optronic picture feeds can be displayed on every electronic display within the vehicle, which includes two monitors in the cabin. These enable the passengers to be more active than previously in assisting the vehicle crew either directly through the vision blocks and hatches, or by observing one or more optronic feeds. The whole crew has access to the onboard SOTAP IP intercom.

The driver is provided with a SPECTUS III night sight with an 80° x 60° field of view. This driver’s sight device combines a night channel with an uncooled 640×480 a-Si bolometer operating in the 8-14 μm wavelength with a day/night low light level CMOS camera. These two images may be merged seamlessly to provide a much sharper view when visibility is low. This image fusion capability offers drivers optimal vision with full protection, even under severe conditions. The SPECTUS III also features a mechanical iris for extremely bright scenes. Field of view is 80°×60°.

For further self-defense, the Luchs 3 has a Rheinmetall SAS (Situational Awareness System) close proximity surveillance system. The system consists of up to four sensor units, which are fitted to the turret and hull of the vehicle, which provide 360° coverage. Two of the sensor units are fitted with three CCD cameras each, while the other two are equipped with thermal imagers instead. This system provides the desired close proximity surveillance both during day and night. Furthermore, the system has a latency of less than 60 ms, according to the manufacturer. The system is also used to provide the Luchs 3 with a virtual view capability. The latency of the SAS is low enough to permit driving using virtual view.

Communication systems
The Luchs 3 carries 2 SOVERON VR UHF software-defined radios, designated FuG 94 in German service, for communicating with infantry and other vehicles. The FuG 94 broadcasts over a frequency range of 30-512 MHz, with a normal output power of 50 W and 12.5 W broadcasting in A3E mode. Both F3E and A3E receivers have a sensitivity of ≤ –112 dBm. The FuG 94 has an embedded cosite filter, which works with antennas as close as 1.5 m away. The FuG 94 uses static/dynamic TDMA and CSMA/CA medium access protocols. It is MANET- and dynamic parameter adoption-capable. The FuG 94 also has a transparent IPv4 interface and a TCP/IP traffic optimizer.

The FuG 94 is a SCA 2.2.2 radio platform, capable of supporting legacy and current STANAG waveforms, as well as the proprietary WAVE family and SECOS waveforms, both from the manufacturer R&S. Data transmission rates are 110 kbps at 25 kHz for the WAVE AJ-NB (anti-jam narrowband) waveform, 630 kbps at 250 kH for WAVE AJ-WB (anti-jam wideband) and 2,100 kbps at 500 kHz for WAVE WB (wideband). It can transmit data and up to two voice streams simultaneously. The FuG 94 is a cryptographic radio, with strict red/black separation and cryptographic ignition key support. All transmissions are AES-encrypted. The FuG 94 is a frequency-hopper as well, utilizing orthogonal fast frequency hopping with hop rates independent of selected transmission mode.

Intra-vehicular communications are enabled by a SOTAS IP intercom system. SOTAS provides both digital voice intercom and VoIP capability. SOTAS is composed of a central network unit and crew graphical interface units, which are used to access intercom and VoIP services. A basic interface is located outside the vehicle, in order to allow infantry units to communicate with the crew. The interface units have mono and stereo audio interfaces for integration with crew headsets and the vehicle radios, as well as data terminals. SOTAS supports dynamic noise reduction, spatial audio and other advanced audio capabilities.

SOTAS uses a non-blocking gigabit ethernet switch with up to 29 electrical/optical ports, including Power over Ethernet. As installed, it is interfaced with third-party systems used by the tank, such as the FCS and BMS and sensor middleware used by APS, external cameras and drone controllers, GPS receiver and INS unit, router, and health and usage management systems. As such, the crew interfaces are integrated with the working stations for its crew members, with each crew station composed of a 23" main screen on top and two 10" screens under it, where information can be retrieved according to the role of each crew member. Ultracapacitors in the chassis and hull support SOTAS by perceptively reducing copper losses in the vehicle's network.

Mobility
The Luchs 3’s low ground pressure allows it to maneuver over rocks, sand, mud, snow, and, generally, on most soft and rough terrain. Its maximum speed is about 130 km/h with a road cruising speed of 110 km/h. It can handle a maximum gradient of 60%, overcome vertical obstacles with a height of 0.6 m, and ford, without preparation, 1.5 m of water. Of the 4 wheels on each side, the first two and the fourth are used for steering, with the last set of wheels turning in the other direction, giving a turning radius of just 9 m. Braking is provided by a Knott pneumatic ABS on all wheels, with main braking power actuated on the front two axles.

The Luchs 3 is equipped with either the all-terrain 415/80R 685 Michelin XForce 2 or the road-optimized 415/80R 685 Michelin XForce ZL tyres. They provide the Luchs 3 with a ground clearance of 450 mm. The 415/80R 685 tyres are of the run-flat type which allow the vehicle to move even with all eight wheels perforated, allowing for 80 km of travel at the maximum speed of 50 km/h in such an event. The XForce 2 has a load rating of 5,000 kg per wheel on all terrain, while the XForce ZL has a per-wheel load rating of 5,600 kg on roads and 3,640 kg on rough and soft terrain.

Powerpack
The Luchs 3 is powered by an 820 hp MTU 8V199 TE20, a twin-turbocharged 8-cylinder water-cooled direct-injection diesel engine with an air-to-water intercooler. It weighs 1,135 kg and takes up 15.9 L of space. The engine is coupled to a Renk HSWL 256 hydromechanical transmission to form a powerpack. The HSWL 256 is a 12-speed transmission with 6 forward gears and 6 reverse gears and power shifting, steering, and reversing. The powerpack can be replaced under field conditions in approximately 20 min. The engine and transmission is separated from the crew compartment through a fireproof bulkhead. The Luchs 3 is fitted with 3 fuel tanks containing a total of 562 L, divided between a 280 L front tank, 238 L rear tank, and a 44 L reserve tank.

Suspension
The Luchs 3 has 8 individually-controlled hydropneumatic suspension units equipped with ample traverse. The hydropneumatic suspension provides better off-road driving performance, more accurate aiming and firing on the move, and reduces crew and material stress by limiting vibrations and noise. This allows the Luchs 3 to "sit", "stand" and "kneel", as well as "lean" towards one side or a corner. "Sitting" gives the vehicle a lower profile and offers superior handling over roads. "Standing" gives the vehicle higher ground clearance for maneuverability over rough terrain. "Kneeling" augments the angular range in which the vehicle's gun barrel can elevate and depress, allowing the vehicle to fire its main gun downhill and even engage low-flying aircraft effectively.

The advanced suspension is supported by a dynamic tensioning system, which allows the Luchs 3's central computer to keep the tension of the tracks at optimal levels by automatically adjusting each unit. The wheels have a central tire inflation system to allow the driver to control the tire pressure from 1.5 bar to 4.5 bar and adapt it to the terrain. Thanks to the CTIS system, the tires can be inflated at four different pressures, ranging from standard to an emergency setting in case of minimal grip on the ground. These systems are supported by a terrain scanner, which allows the Luchs 3 to scan the terrain at least 50 m in all directions then calculate optimal suspension position and tire pressure.