Gepard - Heller's No.81158

At the end of 1960s, the Army of the German Federal Republic was confronted by the need to replace some 500 "M42" tanks of American origin in service in the anti-aircraft defence battalions. In 1968 the "Bundeswehr" opted tp base its new DCA tank on the LEOPARD chassis manufactured by KRAUSS MAFFEL. Operated by a team of 3, the tank commander, gunner and pilot, the GEPARD can without any adaptation, cross a ford as deep as the tip of the turret and, with a snorkel, cross a river of 3.90 m deep. It has ten episcopes : seven on the turret and three for the pilot. When the vehicle was being designed, the technicians were particularly concerned to reduce periods of non-availability caused by failures and hence increase the operational value of the tank. This gave rise to extreme standardisation of equipment and ease of maintenance with unrestricted access to vital components.

In addition to the armour, the security of operators is ensured by an N.B.C. air-conditioning system (Nuclear, Bacteriological and Chemical) : the tank, leaktight, has a ventilation system intended to purify the internal atmosphere during this type of attack. Finally, it can be fitted out to operate in the tropics at ambient temperatures in excess of 50 degress Celcius.

It has advanced computerised detection and firing systems : Siemens "MPDR 12" anti-aircraft detection radar and the MSR 400" Albiswerke firing radar. Its weaponry includes two 35mm OERLIKON KDA rapid fire anti-aircraft guns supplied with 660 shells, including 620 anti-aircraft and 40 anti-tank shells, and eight smoke bomb launchers. The diesel engine and automatic gearbox guarantees performance, climbing capability and acceleration. Besides Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands have equipped their anti-aircraft forces with the GEPARD.

Length : ........................................ 7.73 m
Width : ......................................... 3.37 m
Height : ........................................ 3.01 m
Weight : ....................................... 47.3 tons (in working combat order)
Ground Clearance : ..................... 0.51 m
Width of tracks : .......................... 550 mm
Engine : ....................................... diesel Daimler-Benz MB 838, 12 cylinder, 830 HP
Road speed : ............................... 68 km/h
Off-road speed : ........................... 40 km/h
Autonomy : .................................. 550 km

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