Eurosatory 2024: Rheinmetall Upgrades Lynx KF41 Infantry Fighting Vehicle with Leonardo HITFACT MkII Turret.

At Eurosatory 2024, the prestigious international defense exhibition in Paris, German defense technology Rheinmetall is presenting the latest development in their Lynx family of next-generation combat vehicles. This new offering, the Lynx equipped with the HITFACT MkII turret, represents an important step forward in the mechanized fire support capabilities of the Lynx KF41 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV).

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Rheinmetall Lynx KF41 IFV fitted with Leonardo HITCAFT MKII Turret (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The HITFACT MkII turret, designed by Leonardo, is a high-tech turret system currently in production and NATO-qualified. With over 500 units already in service worldwide, the MkII variant is renowned for its advanced features. It incorporates a fully digital optronic sensor suite and electric turret drives, which enhance both the safety and performance of the turret. The upgraded survivability features ensure robust protection in various combat scenarios.

The flexible design of the HITFACT MkII turret allows it to accommodate either a 105/52 mm rifled or a 120/45 mm smoothbore gun with low recoil force, enabling the use of any NATO standard ammunition as well as advanced kinetic energy and multipurpose rounds. The turret's integration capabilities extend to command and control systems, advanced navigation, and net-centric communications, significantly boosting situational awareness for its operators.

This turret is designed for a crew of two or three and offers optional features such as an automatic loader for 120 mm rounds. Its armor provides top-tier protection, and its fully digitalized architecture is tailored to meet emerging C4ISTAR (command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, targeting acquisition, and reconnaissance) requirements. Secondary armament options include a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun or a 12.7 mm machine gun, which can be pintle-mounted or remotely operated using the HITROLE Remote Weapon Station (RWS).

The integration of the HITFACT MkII turret on the Lynx KF41 chassis enhances the vehicle’s overall effectiveness and versatility. The Lynx KF41 itself is renowned for its modular multi-layered protection system, which shields against threats such as improvised explosive devices (IEDs), mines, both direct and indirect fire, cluster munitions, and anti-tank-guided weapons. This ensures the Lynx KF41 provides comprehensive protection and high mobility, enabling it to conduct complex military operations across a wide range of threat environments.

The combination of the Lynx KF41's modular design and the advanced capabilities of the HITFACT MkII turret positions this platform as a formidable contender in modern warfare, adaptable to meet both current threats and future challenges. This integration underscores Rheinmetall’s commitment to advancing military technology and providing innovative solutions to armed forces around the world.

As global military dynamics evolve, the Lynx equipped with the HITFACT MkII turret is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of armored warfare.