Germany and France are developing a joint project of a promising main battle tank MGCS (Main Ground Combat System). Currently, various organizational issues are being resolved and the necessary research work is being carried out in parallel. Also, project participants offer various options for the appearance of the tank. An interesting concept of such a combat vehicle was recently proposed by Rheinmetall Defense.
At the concept level
The goal of the MGCS program is to create a new MBT that meets modern requirements and can serve in the distant future. It will have to go into service with Germany and France, replacing the existing Leopard 2 and Leclerc tanks. Delivery of equipment to third countries is possible.
The project is being implemented by the two countries in order to optimize costs, combine experience and simplify subsequent production, both for themselves and for export. Germany is represented in the program by KMW (as a member of the KNDS holding) and Rheinmetall. They have their own views on the development of armored vehicles and are already making proposals of one kind or another.
Not so long ago, information about the concept of a promising MBT proposed by Rheinmetall appeared on foreign thematic resources. The project is based on developments in some old projects of Rheinmetall and other companies. It is proposed to combine them with modern components and new ideas. The resulting sample should show high performance on the battlefield and have an acceptable cost.
New tank based on old ideas
The MGCS concept from Rheinmetall is based on several ideas that are of great interest in the context of the development of armored vehicles. However, they cannot be called new. They have already been worked out and implemented in other projects. In addition, the concept design provides for the use of ready-made components. However, the result of this approach should be the emergence of a completely new armored vehicle - or even a family of equipment.
It is proposed to take the tracked chassis from the Lynx KF41 infantry fighting vehicle as the basis for the MGCS tank. This chassis has a front-engine layout with a central location of the crew compartment and the fighting compartment. A certain volume remains in the stern, suitable for transporting ammunition, several paratroopers or other cargo.
Combined armor protection with the ability to install additional modules is offered. The hull and turret must have rational booking angles, also used for scattering radar radiation. In order to avoid the formation of weakened zones of protection in the frontal projection, it is proposed to move the radiator grilles and air intakes to the rear of the hull, where they are exposed to less risks. Attention is paid to the protection of the side projection and the tower.
Due to the maximum automation, it is proposed to reduce the crew to two people. They must fit between the engine compartment and the fighting compartment. It is proposed to provide a view of the front hemisphere with several viewing devices. For other sectors, there is a set of video cameras on the tower. Optics and cameras must provide all-round visibility. The signal from the cameras can be displayed on the displays of the crew consoles or on the helmet-mounted screens.
Curiously, the published images lack the commander's panoramic sight. Apparently, its tasks are planned to be solved by cameras and the corresponding functions of the LMS. In this case, the gunner receives a full-fledged optics unit installed next to the gun.
The Rheinmetall MGCS tank receives an uninhabited turret with fully automated processes. The main armament can be a tank gun with a caliber of 105 or 120 mm. They use an automatic loader with two automatic stacks for a unitary shot. The processing of the fighting compartment for a larger caliber gun is not excluded. However, in this case, the turret, gun mounts and automatic loader will have to be reworked.
In the images of the concept, there is a gun with a slotted muzzle brake. The barrel is covered with a faceted casing for protection from external influences and enemy observation equipment. In addition, the shroud contributes to the overall futuristic exterior of the tank.
The auxiliary weapon of the concept tank consists of one machine gun on a remotely controlled weapon station. It is located in the central part of the tower roof and must have its own optical instruments.
It is assumed that such an armored vehicle will be able to perform all the tasks inherent in tanks and hit various targets on the battlefield. The use of new optical and electronic devices, as well as the introduction of advanced weapons, etc. will provide serious advantages in all characteristics over the existing MBT.
MGCS from Rheinmetall can become the basis for other equipment. So, it is proposed to build a transport-loading vehicle capable of accompanying tanks. She will have to transport cassettes with shots and load them onto a combat vehicle. It is possible to create an anti-aircraft complex or a combat vehicle with missile weapons of various types.
Unclear prospects
Rheinmetall is a member of the MGCS program and has already offered its own version of a promising MBT. At the same time, the real future of such a project remains uncertain for a number of reasons.
At the moment, organizational issues are of decisive importance. Germany and France continue to plan for joint work and define their responsibilities, and they have to overcome differences. According to the latest news, the French side is demanding that 50% of the work be given to it. The remaining 50% must be divided among German contractors, each of whom wishes to receive a larger share. KMW and Rheinmetall have already begun to argue, and the Bundestag has suspended German participation in the project until the issue is resolved.
After solving the current issues, the MGCS participants will have to determine the appearance and other features of the promising tank. All participating companies have their own developments and will promote them. At this stage, the concept from Rheinmetall Defense will face stiff competition - and its victory is not guaranteed.
French and German companies have so far provided only the most basic information on joint work and proposals for the MGCS program. Sufficiently detailed information is available only about the project from Rheinmetall. All this does not yet allow us to compare the proposed concept projects and determine a more successful one.
Apparently, in the near future, Berlin and Paris will be able to solve all the problems and approve all plans for the MGCS. Also, customers will have to formulate final requirements and select a preliminary design for further development. Perhaps a new piece of equipment will be developed on the basis of a concept from Rheinmetall, but other projects may also be developed.
However, the results of current and future work will only be seen in the future. According to current plans, a ready-made sample of the promising Main Ground Combat System main battle tank will appear by the beginning of the thirties. The process of rearming the Bundeswehr and the French army starts even later. What the new German-French tank will look like is anyone's guess.
