I will simply start with
BOXER, there
will be more work involved with it then anticipated. I've
never taken "
half-measures" in anything I've done and therefore I'll not start here. I've added another source (
KMW) to address the
FLW-200 RWS. This a much more capable system then I thought originally with a "
target determination" from
50m - 10,000m. Now I have a German Mom and Aunt near Berlin, so I fully understand what the connotation is meant by the word "
determination" as used above. Nothing
crazy but
better then they have now for
TI/GSR. German
BOXER UNITS 055 and 056 (
Minus TOW.) will represent my
GTK A0 models. Both the
GTK A1/A2 will be new build versions reflecting better armor and updated weapons systems.
I will include a washout of what can be done in the interim, as I've found
one tank each for
deletion and the other to be removed from
active status to a "reference" unit if you will, in case a
foreign power decides to update their
LEOPARD 2A4 tanks to the
REVOLUTION standard. I'll just finish this below when done.
I hope you'll read the questions through so I can keep my answers short in response to Ralphs.
His answers are all in
BOLD any comment by me will be in "
()".
Gesendet: Montag, 01. Februar 2021 um 07:04 Uhr
Von: "patrick conklin"
An: "TANK - MASTERS"
Betreff: LEOPARD MBT Assistance as discussed.
Ralph,
Good Morning! Hopefully all is well with family and you. Congratulations with your collaboration with Dragon Models!
It is my hope we can proceed together so I can get my submission together for our next patch to WinSPMBT (Modernized Steel Panthers). As noted, our German OOB needs fixing.
I have already indicated to the moderators/system managers that I'll be recapitalizing some existing units such as the LEOPARD 2A6 EX to up armored LEOPARD 2A6 with what I believe to be AMAP-B add on armor (I can now verify this.). Also tracking that the LEOPARD 2A7V might get the IBD SMART ProTech armor Ralphs answer I feel, has me thinking if not it, it'll be something close to it.).
So, some of these questions would suffice with a simple Yes or No. I'll provide dates as we have them in the German OOB. We just use a simple Month and Year format, i.e. 12/2020. Our dates assume when the tanks became available for combat and when withdrawn from combat units. So, question #1 below will have a direct bearing on the end date for the A24/A25 tanks. A simple "Good " will work if you have no issues with the dates given below.
I'm just concerned with the LEOPARD 2A4 -LEOPARD 2A7V.
1) In a national crisis would the training units' tanks be used in a possible combat situation? YES. Currently 3./Ausbildungsverband Gefechtsübungszentrum Heer has 18 of the 19 Leopard 2A5. The 19th vehicle is with the BAAINBw-(This was a critical question as was the answer "YES" in caps. Most countries to the East operate more tanks then Germany does currently ~250 all types. See Post 256 for an exact count and type/models.
2) LEOPARD 2A4 fielded in 01/1986. Withdrawn from combat units in 12/2008 (Which seems incorrect, as that's closer to when the training units stopped using them.) The first Leopard 2 was handed over to the Bundeswehr on 24 October 1979. The last Leopard 2A4 used by the 3./Ausbildungsverband Gefechtsübungszentrum Heer was withdrawn in 2008.-(I concur.)
3) LEOPARD 2A5 during or after KFOR, were they ever up armored with the "belly" steel plate for mine protection? My sources say no, we have them in the game as such. My understanding is due to the experiences of KFOR with the A24/A25, this would lead to the development of the A26M. The Leopard 2A5s were never fielded with a mine protection plate-(I've already identified those units and will upgrade them with AMAP-B where it applies based on availability.)
4) LEOPARD 2A5 fielded in 01/1996. Withdrawn from combat units in 12/2010. The Leopard 2A5s are still used by 3./Ausbildungsverband Gefechtsübungszentrum-(Refer back to Question #1.)
5) LEOPARD 2A6 fielded in 03/2001. Withdrawn from combat units in 12/2025. The last represents the end time for the game. So, you see the urgency in trying to fix what we can as we find them while still adding new and retiring other units as we find them through the web. The Leopard 2A6 will get upgraded to Leopard 2A6A3-(The LEOPARD 2A6A3 is already in service. The export LEOPARD 2A6 EX will provide me 3-4 UNITS I can modify without reinventing the wheel.)
6) LEOPARD 2A6M we don't have it in the game at all. All I can really find is that Germany had 80 built between 2004-2008. Some of these I know some were leased to Canada until they received their 2A4CAN/2A6CAN tanks. I'm assuming the BUNDESWEHR got them sometime in late 2004 or early 2005 and have no clue as to when they came out of service or were modified to another sub-variant of the 2A6. A total of 70 Leopard 2A6Ms were built in two batches (15 and 55). 20 of these Leopard 2A6Ms were leased by Canada and later one rebuilt to Leopard 2A7s. Afterwards the Bundeswehr had 49 Leopard 2A6M and one Leopard 2A6MA1 (With SEM 93 radio system) Between end 2015 and end 2017 the Leopard 2A6Ms received an upgrade like new infantry phone, SOTAS IP intercom, fire suppression system, new thermal sight for the commander, etc. During the rebuild these vehicles were designated as Leopard 2A6M+ in order to differentiate them from the Leopard 2A6Ms. After all vehicles got rebuilt they were again named Leopard 2A6M. Since 2018 the Panzerbataillon 414 field 20 Leopard 2A6MA2.-LEOPARD 2A6M will require 2 versions as they were upgraded again.
7) I'm sorry but, getting a little confusing here. If I understand the temporary designation to support the modification being the LEOPARD 2A6M+, that this tank wasn't actually fielded but, would become the LEOPARD 2A6MA2 is this correct? Also, with further upgrades added, this same tank would lead to the LEOPARD 2A6MA1 and a further upgraded LEOPARD 2A6M some time in 2018 fielded? see above-This question and answer concerning the LOEPAARD 2A6M+, has bitten us you know where in the past. THIS IS WHY WE MUST STICK TO FOC!! i.e. BOXER LANCER WAS SHOWN IN THE SUMMER 2014 at EUROSTATY ANNUAL WEAPONS SHOW. Guess when it's in the game and who doesn't have it.
8) LEOPARD 2A6M2 besides the dates for this tank, is this the one that received the same Fire Control System (FCS) as the LEOPARD 2A7? It features the cables to either integrate the German or the Dutch C4I systems as Panzerbataillon 414 is a German / Dutch unit.-This tank is the one attached attached to the combined Dutch/German Brigade. I need to look into this to see if there's more to it than that, however, it might what it is. The command as I understand it is rotated between the countries, if I verify this, does it possibly mean the Dutch should have it? This tank (C41 System) allows for total interoperability with each other's BSM/Comms Systems.
9) From the LEOPARD 2A6M on until item (8 above, we don't have any of those tanks entered by those designations or with those upgrades noted on your site and a couple of other as current as yours.
10) LEOPARD 2A7 this we have as I submitted and looks to be current as it stands now with this project. I have it fielded on 12/2014 with game end time again, 12/2025. All Leopard 2A7s will get upgraded to Leopard 2A7V- (I might be late with the date but, if I'm within the 6 month "swag", I intend to leave it alone. With going any deeper at this point it might be closer to Oct. 2014.)
11) LEOPARD 2A7V your thoughts please as to when you think it'll be fielded. And if you think I might be on the right track that it'll have the SMART ProTech armor package. Or do you think it might play more of a role in the development of the EMBT? The Leopard 2A7V will have a frontal armor for the hull and maybe some changes of the material of the turret armor but these data are classified-(Pending any newer (armor) data before submission (I expect FOC late this year, or early 2022. So I'm going to pursue SMART ProTech.)
12) Again, if you have time, I would appreciate your help with my 10/26/2020 email to you concerning mostly the BOXER as I think we have units the BUNDESWEHR hasn't ordered to this point based I what I can find.
If you have any thoughts, you wish to share please feel free. I will ensure you get full credit for your assistance and your website. Your website was the one that provided me with "concrete proof" that the LEOPARD 2A7 was fielded. So, I thank you for that.
Have a good day! See you were "playing" in the snow great shots!!
Pat
I know deletions/modifications might affect other game factors. I'm very confident the following have no active role with the BUNDESWEHR in Germany. The following is to allow you "to get ahead of the problem", if you so desire.
A) LEOPARD 2A4 UNIT 268 DELETE/NONE PAST DEC 2008. Some still in storage.
B) LEOPARD 2A4 REVOLUTION-Well it's gone. I know we had some discussion a few years back on this. I guess we already took care of it in each others way.
C) BOXER LANCE UNIT 560 REMOVE FROM GAME PLAY. We WILL need this to model the Australian/UK (Possibly) versions. It will need to be updated to the A2 Standard at the very least and possibly ammo as well which you have some better sources then me. Those versions will have the SPIKE LR turret mounted.
D) This next though addressed above the BOXER GL/AT UNIT 056, would it be easier for you to just DELETE it, then me modifying it?
That's it, I don't know when the deadline is, you can just PM on that if you wish. All I can do is get going on this and hopefully it'll be ready in time. If not, it'll be posted here when I finish it.
We got through our ADMIN/Minor Drill portion in good shape as far as I know.
This week "The World Goes to 
." and I'll leave it at that as I like my job 
and still need it to get my axx to retirement!?! 
Appointments in the morning, so Good Whatever, Wherever you are!!
Regards,
Pat
