Leguan Leopard 2 heavy tracked armoured vehicle bridge layer AVLB
 
 
 
Leguan Leopard 2 KMW armoured vehicle launched bridge layer AVLB technical data sheet specifications information description intelligence pictures photos images identification Germany German army defense industry army military technology
 
Description
The Leguan Leopard 2 is a bridge layer tracked armoured vehicle or AVLB (Armoured Vehicle-Launched Bridge) designed and manufactured by the German Company KMW Krauss-Maffei-Wegmann. The LEGUAN LEOPARD 2 system unites the well-known very high mobility of the LEOPARD 2 battle tank and the interoperability of the LEGUAN bridge laying system. The LEGUAN is the consequent and continued development of the armored bridge layer BIBER. Mounted on the chassis frame of the LEOPARD 1, the BIBER has been in service with the German Army since the 1970s. The Leguan system is fitted on the chassis of the main battle tank Leopard 2. the German Company KMW created the LEGUAN tank-launched assault bridge system for the Norwegian, Greek, Belgian, Chilean and Turkish armed forces on the basis of the LEOPARD 1. The LEGUAN system can however also be adapted onto other new or used tank chassis frames as the Leopard 2 in the Finnish army, M60/M47 in the Spanish army, Polish PT91 for the Malaysian army and the M1 Abrams called Wolverine Heavy Assault Bridge in the U.S. Army. The Leguan laying system can also be carried by wheeled vehicles, such as the 8x8 vehicle by MAN or the 10x10 vehicle by the Finnish company SISU. The bridge laying system LEGUAN has been in experimental use on the chassis frame of the LEOPARD 2 since 2009 with the Bundeswehr. With 1 800 hours of test drives and 500 configurations of bridges, the test results of the technical centers 41 and 51 of the Bundeswehr have been very promising. A test of the system by the Technical University of Aachen in respect to the logistical mission readiness turned out positive, showing no substantial deficits, thereby proving the high mission readiness of the system. Hence, the system is considered ready to be put in service.
 
Variants:
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Technical Data
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Bridge System
The LEGUAN bridge layer can configure one bridge of 26 meters length or two of 14 meters length. The width of the obstacles to be overcome can be up to 24 or 12 meters correspondingly. The automatic laying and loading system can lay a bridge horizontally in approximately 5 minutes (14 meter bridge) and 6 minutes (26 meter bridge) by a single person. The low silhouette of the vehicle remains preserved during this procedure. The loading of the bridge takes 8 minutes with the 26 meter bridge and only 7 with the 14 meter bridge.
Design and protection
The Leguan Leopard 2 is based on the hull and chassis of the Krauss-Maffei Wegmann Leopard 2 MBT with all main and subcomponents unchanged. The standard turret is removed and two 14 m bridges are mounted in the center of the chassis. The Leguan Leopard 2 has a crew of two including driver and commander/operator. The driver position is the same as the MBT Leopard 2, while the commander's station is left of the driver, replacing the hull front ammunition rack.. The Leguan Leopard 2 offers the same level of protection as the standard MBT Leopard 2.
Mobility
The Leguan Leopard 2 uses the same powerpack and suspension as the Leopard 2 MBT. It is motorized with MTU MB 873 Ka-501 4-stroke, 12-cylinder diesel, exhaust turbocharged, liquid-cooled developing 1,496 hp at 2,600 rpm coupled to a transmission Renk HSWL 354 hydrokinetic planetary gear shift, 4 forward and 2 reverse gears. The suspension with torsion bars consists each side of seven dual rubber-tyred roadwheels with the idler at the front, the drive sprocket at the rear and four track-support rollers. The Leguan Leopard 2 can run at a maximum road speed of 65 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 400 km.
Accessories
The Leguan Leopard 2 is capable of laying bridges at day and night, thanks to a distance measuring instrument, a thermal imaging device as well as a CCD camera. The operation of the system by one soldier alone, even with the hatch closed, is ensured by clearly laid out operating elements and a graphical user interface. An integrated program for a self-test guarantees the high reliability. In addition, the LEGUAN comes equipped with an emergency system for the laying and loading of the bridges. Apart from the mission-specific armor, the system therefore also has a cooling system and an appliance for the loading of a modern BMS-system. Central covering panels, railings and a device to measure the load are also available as retrofit-kits, extending the capability profile of the bridges so that they can be used for the reestablishment of supply routes or for use by civilian vehicles. For its self-protection, the Leguan Leopard 2 is armed with a 7.62mm machine gun. Standard equipment on the Leguan Leopard 2 includes a collective NBC system, power pack preheating, crew compartment heater, a fire extinguishing system, electric bilge pumps and an escape hatch in the hull floor behind the driver. The front of the vehicle is also equipped with a dozer blade which can be used to set the base for a bridge, clear out obstacles and stabilized the vehicle during the bridge laying process.
 
Specifications
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Armament
One 7.62mm machine gun
a
Country users
Germany, Finland, Switzerland
Designer Company
KMW - Germany
Accessories
thermal imaging device, CCD camera, NBC protection system
Crew
2
Armor
Protection against small arms firing and shell splinters.
Weight
62,000 kg
Speed
65 km/h
Range
up to 400 km
a
Dimensions with bridge
Lenght: 14 m; Width: 4 m; Height: 3.95 m
 
Details View
 
Leguan Leopard 2 KMW armoured vehicle launched bridge layer AVLB technical data sheet specifications information description intelligence pictures photos images identification Germany German army defense industry army military technology
Leguan Leopard 2 KMW armoured vehicle launched bridge layer AVLB technical data sheet specifications information description intelligence pictures photos images identification Germany German army defense industry army military technology
   
Leguan Leopard 2 KMW armoured vehicle launched bridge layer AVLB technical data sheet specifications information description intelligence pictures photos images identification Germany German army defense industry army military technology
Leguan Leopard 2 KMW armoured vehicle launched bridge layer AVLB technical data sheet specifications information description intelligence pictures photos images identification Germany German army defense industry army military technology
 
 
Pictures - Video
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