Rolls-Royce, FFG Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft, and transmission specialist ZF have unveiled a joint initiative to modernize the Leopard 1 family of armored vehicles. The project aims to replace the aging mtu MB838 engine with a more powerful, efficient, and reliable mtu 8V199.
The Leopard 1, a mainstay of many military forces since the 1960s, continues to serve in various configurations, including the Wisent 1 support vehicle, BPz2 armored recovery vehicle, Biber armored bridge-laying vehicle, Dachs armored engineer vehicle, and Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. While the vehicles remain operational, their aging engines have become a concern.
According to Rolls-Royce, the mtu 8V199 offers several advantages over its predecessor. It is more powerful, with an output of 800 kW compared to the MB838’s 610 kW. Additionally, it is lighter, more economical, and has longer service intervals. The use of this engine will not only enhance the performance of the Leopard 1 family but also reduce maintenance costs and improve vehicle availability.
FFG will develop a power pack based on the mtu 8V199, including the cooling system and necessary interface adaptations. The goal is to create a plug-and-play solution that can be easily integrated into all variants of the Leopard 1. ZF will ensure the compatibility and long-term support of the 4HP250 transmission with the new engine.
A military history enthusiast, Richard began at Forecast International as editor of the World Weapons Weekly newsletter. As the Internet grew in importance as a research tool, he helped design the company's Forecast Intelligence Center and currently coordinates the EMarket Alert newsletters for clients. Richard also manages social media efforts, including two new blogs: Defense & Security Monitor, covering defense systems and international issues, and Flight Plan, which focuses on commercial aviation and space systems. For over 30 years, Richard has authored the Defense & Aerospace Companies, Volume I (North America) and Volume II (International) services. The two books provide detailed data on major aerospace and defense contractors. He also edits the International Contractors service, a database that tracks all the contractors involved in the programs covered in the FI library. More recently he was appointed Manager, Information Services Group (ISG), a new unit that encompasses developing outbound content for both Forecast International and Military Periscope.
