Basic Information

Name

Leopard 1A1 German Main Battle Tank (MBT)

Designation

Leopard 1A1

Alternate Designation

Leopard 1A1

Equipment Type

Main Battle Tank (MBT)

Manufacturer

Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, Munich, Germany Krupp-MaK, Kiel, Germany

Date of Introduction

1974

Description

The Leopard (or Leopard 1) is the main battle tank designed and produced by Porsche in West Germany that first entered service in 1965. Developed in an era when HEAT warheads were thought to make conventional heavy armor of limited value, the Leopard focused on firepower in the form of the German-built version of the British L7 105-mm gun, and improved cross-country performance that was unmatched by other designs of the era. The design started as a collaborative project during the 1950s between West Germany and France and was later joined by Italy, but the partnership ended shortly after and the final design was ordered by the Bundeswehr, with full-scale production starting in 1965. In total, 6,485 Leopard tanks have been built, of which 4,744 were battle tanks and 1,741 were utility and anti-aircraft variants, not including 80 prototypes and pre-series vehicles. The Leopard quickly became a standard of European forces, and eventually served as the main battle tank in over a dozen countries worldwide, with West Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands being the largest operators until their retirement. Since 1990, the Leopard 1 has gradually been relegated to secondary roles in most armies. In the German Army, the Leopard 1 was completely phased out in 2003 by the Leopard 2, while Leopard 1-based vehicles are still widely used in utility roles. The Leopard 2 has replaced the Leopard 1 in service with many other nations as well, with derived vehicles using the Leopard 1 hull still seeing service. Currently, the largest operators are Greece, with 520 vehicles, Turkey, with 397 vehicles, and Brazil with 378 vehicles. Most of these vehicles have been upgraded with various improvements to armor, firepower, and sensors to maintain their ability to engage modern threats. After the first batch was delivered, the next three batches were the Leopard 1A1 model, which included a new gun stabilization system from Cadillac Gage that allowed the tank to fire effectively on the move. The 1A1 also added the now-famous "skirts" along the sides to protect the upper tracks, and a new thermal jacket on the gun barrel to control heating. A less important change was to use rectangular rubber blocks fastened to the treads with a single pin instead of the earlier two-pin "shaped" versions. The rubber blocks could be easily replaced with metal X-shaped crampons for movement on ice and snow in the winter. Between 1974 and 1977, all of the machines in the first four batches were brought to the same Leopard 1A1A1 standard and given additional turret armor developed by Blohm & Voss. A further upgrade in the 1980s added leftover image-intensifier night sights, which were being handed down from the Leopard 2 as they were themselves upgraded. The PZB 200 image intensification system was mounted in a large box on the upper right of the gun, creating the Leopard 1A1A2. A further upgrade with SEM80/90 all-digital radios created the Leopard 1A1A3. Later improvements to the image intensifier created the Leopard 1A1A4.

Ground Specifications

Crew 4

Engine 2,282-cu in (37.4-liter) liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, prechamber, inter cooled, turbocharged V-10 multi-fuel (830 hp)

Max Speed 65.0 km/h

Variants

Leopard 1 The Leopard project started in November 1956 in order to develop a modern tank, the Standard-Panzer, to replace the Bundeswehr's American-built M47 and M48 Patton tanks, which, though just delivered to West Germany's recently reconstituted army, were rapidly becoming outdated. On 25 July 1957, the detailed specifications were released; the new design needed to weigh no more than 30 tonnes, have a power-to-weight ratio of 30 horsepower per tonne, be able to withstand hits by 20 mm rapid-fire guns on every side as well as to operate in a battlefield contaminated with chemical weapons or radioactive fallout, the then-standard baseline for combat with the Warsaw Pact. In addition, the main armament had to consist of a 105 mm caliber weapon (the new British L7A3 105 mm gun was selected), carrying at least as many rounds as current US tank designs. Mobility had priority, while firepower came second; armour was seen as less essential, as it was believed that no real protection against hollow charge weapons was possible anyway.

Leopard 1A1 After the first batch was delivered, the next three batches were the Leopard 1A1 model, which included a new gun stabilization system from Cadillac Gage that allowed the tank to fire effectively on the move. The 1A1 also added the now-famous "skirts" along the sides to protect the upper tracks, and a new thermal jacket on the gun barrel to control heating. A less important change was to use rectangular rubber blocks fastened to the treads with a single pin instead of the earlier two-pin "shaped" versions. The rubber blocks could be easily replaced with metal X-shaped crampons for movement on ice and snow in the winter.

Leopard 1A2 The first 232 tanks of the fifth production batch were delivered as the Leopard 1A2 between 1972 and 1974. The A2 included a heavier and better armoured turret, and therefore did not receive the B&V armour add-ons as did the earlier machines. However, they did receive the other upgrades; the Leopard 1A2A1 received the PZB 200, the Leopard 1A2A2 received digital radios, and the Leopard 1A2A3 got both.

Leopard 1A3 The next 110 vehicles in the fifth batch were fitted with a new welded turret, which was equipped with a new armor consisting of two spaced steel plates with a plastic filling between them (high-hardness armor, and a wedge-shaped gun mantlet, creating the Leopard 1A3. Although the level of armor area density was equivalent to the A2's new welded version, the internal volume was increased by 1.2 m³ and the effective protection level was increased by half. The improved TRP 2A independent sight was installed for the commander. Upgrades were identical to the 1A2 models, the Leopard 1A3A1 with the night sights, Leopard 1A3A2 with the new radios, and the Leopard 1A3A3 with both.

Leopard 1A4 The Leopard 1A4 formed the sixth batch of 250 vehicles, delivery starting in 1974. The 1A4 was externally similar to the 1A3, but included a new computerized fire control system and the new EMES 12A1 sighting system to aim it. In addition, the commander was provided with his own independent night sighting system, the PERI R12. The new equipment used up space and the ammunition load was reduced to 55 rounds, of which 42 were stored in the magazine to the left of the driver.

Leopard 1A5 In 1980, a research program was undertaken to study further improvements to the Leopard 1, providing it with a completely modern fire control system and fully effective night/bad-weather vision system. The decision was made to base the upgrades on the earlier models, which were no longer competitive. The resulting Leopard 1A5 was based on 1,225 vehicles of the Leopard 1A1A1 model. The turrets were again modified for the 1A5, both in order to store all of the new equipment, as well as to move more of the ammunition into the rear of the turret, as opposed to the left side of the driver where it had previously been stored. The new turret was also able to mount the newer 120 mm gun from the Leopard 2 if desired, although this option has not been used. After trials, the Krupp-Atlas Elektronik EMES 18 fire control system, which was developed from the EMES 15 used on the Leopard 2, was selected in December 1983. The EMES 18 included two new sights on the top of the turret, and no longer required the "bumps" as did the earlier optical systems. A crucial part of the upgrade was the introduction of more effective ammunition, including new APFSDS rounds. The Leopard tank could also be fitted with bolt-on polycarbonate (Lexan) armour panels, which have increased the effectiveness of the armour. The first modified vehicle was delivered in early 1987. Since then, almost all users of the Leopard 1 have also applied similar changes to their own vehicles, and in most ways the 1A5 be considered the "standard" Leopard 1 today. In the Netherlands, an improved version equivalent to the A5 called "Leopard 1 Verbeterd" (improved) was developed, the same version is used by the Chilean Army.

Leopard 1A6 The Leopard 1A6 prototype was a single Leopard 1 A1A1 testbed, modified with additional armour on the turret and equipped with a 120 mm L/44 gun. The project was ended in 1987, as the Leopard 2 was in widespread service at this point and the 1A5 offered a more reasonable upgrade path for a fraction of the cost.

System

Alternative Designation Leopard 1A1

Type Main Battle Tank

Manufacturer Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, Munich, Germany Krupp-MaK, Kiel, Germany

Crew 4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver)

Dimensions

Length, Hull 7.09 m

Length, Gun Forward 9.54 m

Width 3.37 m

Height INA

Tracks Length, on the Ground 4.24 m

Tracks Width 0.55 m

Ground Clearance 0.44 m

Weight, Unloaded 38,700 kg

Weight, Combat 40,000 kg

Ground Pressure 0.86 kg/cm sq

Automotive

Engine Name MTU MB 838 Ca M500

Engine Type 2,282-cu in (37.4-liter) liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, prechamber, inter cooled, turbocharged V-10 multi-fuel

Engine Power 830 hp at 2,200 rpm

Fuel Capacity 955 liters

Transmission ZF 4 HP 250 planetary shifter with hydraulic torque converter; 4 forward/2 reverse gears

Power-to-Weight Ratio 20.75 hp/metric ton

Suspension torsion bar, 7 road wheels, rear drive (12- tooth sprocket), front idler, 5 shock absorbs (bump travel 9 in/227 mm, rebound travel 5-6 in/128-156 mm), 4 return rollers

Maximum Speed 65 km/h

Range, Road 600 km

Range, Cross-Country 450 km

Vertical Obstacle 1.15 m

Trench 3.00 m

Fording, Unprepared 1.20 m

Fording, with Preparation 2.25 m

Fording, with Snorkel 4.00 m

Gradient 60 %

Side Slope 30 %

Main Weapon System

System

Name 1 x Royal Ordnance L7A3 Rifled Gun

Type Rifled Gun

Caliber 105 mm

Length, Barrel 5.46 m

Muzzle Velocity INA

Weight 1,282 kg

Maximum Rate of Fire 10 rounds per minute (maximum)

Elevation -9/+20 deg

Traverse 360 deg

Maximum Firing Range 4,000 m

Ammunition

Name L22

Type Projectile

Caliber 105 mm

Basic Load 60 rounds, 18 ready in turret (Leopard 1A1)

Armor Penetration INA, Tungsten carbide

Coaxial Weapon System

System

Name 1 x Heckler & Koch MG5 7.62mm General-Purpose Machine Gun

Type General-Purpose Machine Gun

Caliber 7.62 mm

Manufacturer Heckler & Koch

Length 1,160 mm

Barrel Length 550 mm

Height 239 mm

Width 120 mm

Weight 11.20 kg

Action Gas-operated, rotating bolt

Rate of Fire 640/720/800 rounds/min

Muzzle Velocity 840 m/s

Maximum Firing Range 600–1,000 m

Effective Firing Range 100–1,000 m

Feed System Disintegrating DM60/M13 belt in 50-round Gurttrommel or 120-round in separate belt box or from stand-alone ammunition boxes

Sights Diopter sight or optical sights

Ammunition

Type Rifle

Caliber 7.62 mm

Cartridge 7.62×51mm NATO

Armor Penetration INA

Basic Load 1,250 rounds

Auxiliary Weapon System

Note 1 x 7.62-mm air defense machine gun

Fire Control System

Name FLP-10/EMES 18 integrated fire control

Computerized FCS Yes, FLP-10/EMES 18 integrated fire control system with Zeiss thermal imaging system retrofitted to approximately 1,300 German Leopard 1A1/1A2s

Main Gun Stabilization Yes

Direct Fire Yes

Indirect Fire Yes

Infrared Yes, Paint reflects IR

Rangefinder TEM 2A optical (Leopard 1A1) turret fully stabilized (A3, A4); retrofit of earlier AEG-Telefunken FLER-H modular hybrid computer (1A4 Krupp-Atlas)

Protection

Hull Armor Glacis 70 mm at 60-deg: Hull Glacis top 25 mm at 83-deg: Hull nose 70 mm at 55-deg: Hull sides 25-35 mm: Hull rear 25 mm at 88 deg: Hull top 10 mm: Hull bottom 15 mm

Turret Armor Turret mantlet 60 mm; Turret sides 60 mm; Turret rear 60 mm; Turret front 52 mm

Applique Armor Available

Explosive Reactive Armor INA

Active Protection System INA

Mine Clearing No

NBC Protection Yes, collective

Smoke Equipment 2 x 4-barrel 3-in (76-mm) smoke generators, one each side of turret

Image Sources

Notes https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Leopard_1_Schnittmodell.jpg; https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Leopard1_Bundeswehr_1983.jpg; https://steveblank.com/2021/02/19/hacking-for-allies/;