Jaguar III

Jaguar III
Jaguar III Ausf. A5 of the Kaiserliche Heer
Type	Main Battle Tank
Place of origin	Englean Kaiserreich
Service history
In service	1983-Present
Used by	See Operators
Production history
Designer	Kempenhaus-Pollmächer
Designed	1976-1980
Manufacturer	Kempenhaus-Pollmächer Kaiserlicher Maschinenfabrik Weilheim
Unit cost	2A6: WIP
Produced	1979-Present
No. built	1,750 (including foreign exports)
Variants	See Variants
Specifications
Weight	Ausf A6: 62.3 t
Length	Ausf A6: 9.97 m (gun forward)
Width	Ausf A6: 3.75 m
Height	Ausf A6: 3.0 m
Crew	4
Armour	Ausf A6: 3rd generation composite; including high-hardness steel, tungsten and plastic filler with ceramic component.
Main armament	1× Stebertstahl KwK 78 L/44 smoothbore gun (42 rounds)
Secondary armament	2× 7.62×51mm Kaiserlicher Waffenfabrik MG65 n.A. (4,750 rounds)
Engine	Maibach MiB-45 liquid-cooled V12 twin-turbo diesel engine 1,500 PS (1,479 hp 1,103 kW at 2,600 rpm
Power/weight	24.1 PS/t
Transmission	Fitkau HSWL 567
Suspension	Torsion bar suspension
Fuel capacity	1,200 km
Operational range	550 km (internal fuel)
Speed	68 km/h

The Jaguar III, officially Panzerkampfwagen XXII (Sd.Kfz. 4098), is a main battle tank developed by Kempenhaus-Pollmächer from 1976-1980 as a successor to the Jaguar II MBT that was seen as not sufficient for the modern battlefield. The vehicle was designed as a third-generation main battle tank with capabilities of being upgraded well into the future, and adaptable to all environments. It is armed with a 120 mm smoothbore cannon, and is powered by a V-12 twin-turbo diesel engine. As of 2019, a wide number of variants have been developed both by the Englean Kaiserreich and other operators for a variety of operations.

Early iterations of the tank continued the design of the ill-fated Jaguar II, with those up to Ausf. A4 retaining the vertical faced composite turret armour and succeeding variants (Ausf. A5-A8) sporting angled turret appliqué armour. All models feature digital fire control systems with laser rangefinders, a fully stabilised main gun and coaxial machine gun, and advanced night vision and sighting equipment. The Jaguar III is set to continue in service with the Englean Kaiserliche Heer until being fully replaced by the Jaguar IV in 2030.

History

Development

As of 1970, the Löwe had been in service with the Kaiserliche Heer since 1961 was becoming dated. Although many upgrades had been developed, including a full revamped armour package and addition of a 120mm gun, the vehicle still showed its age in relation to vehicles being produced within the world. In response to this, the Oberste Heeresleitung ordered the development of a replacement MBT that would combine speed with the prototype 120mm smoothbore cannon that was also being developed at the time. Vehicle manufacturer Vollhards-Wiesgätter won the design competition with their Neu-Kampfpanzer, which implemented a vastly different chassis and turret design from the newest upgraded Jaguar I variant, the Jaguar I Ausf. L.

The design was then ordered to begin prototype production as Projekt 198 in 1972, with the first two prototypes being finished by the end of the year. These prototypes sported longer chassis, as well as a slim turret that housed the 120mm main gun intended for the MBT. However. many of the features of the vehicles did not operate as intended and eventually led to the cancellation of the project in 1974. This resulted in the Lowe and Jaguar I continuing to be the primary MBT of the Kaiserliche Heer until 1976, when the OHL ordered the development of another MBT under the codename vergoldeter Jaguar. Vollhards-Wiesgätter did not enter the design competition, leaving the company Kempenhaus-Pollmächer as the design victors.

The Jaguar II was intended to succeed the Jaguar I MBT already in service with the Kaiserliche Heer since the end of the Second Great War and the Löwe.

Building off of the failures of the Jaguar II, Kempenhaus-Pollmächer instead designed a vehicle that would use a less problematic engine design - the V12 turbocharged Maibach MiB-45 that was recently developed. In addition, the turret would feature vertical composite armour that would be capable of defending against modern ammunition types - APFSDS, HEATFS, and standard AP/APHE rounds. By 1977, the prototypes were passing OHL exams and quickly gaining the admiration and approval of officers of the OHL. In 1978, Imperial Minister of War (Kriegsminister) Ingolf von Kohlhaase approved the OHL's request to officially procure the Kempenhaus-Pollmächer as the Jaguar III main battle tank.

The Jaguar III incorporated earlier plans for the Jaguar II, including the addition of vertical composite turret armour seen on this prototype (the vergoldeter Jaguar A2) in 1977.

Design

Primary Protection

The Jaguar III was designed to be a fully adaptable and upgradable main battle tank utilising spaced multilayer composite armour throughout the vehicle. The armour consists of a combination of steel plates of different hardness, elastic materials and other non-metallic materials; high hardness and ductility plates are also used within the vehicle. This vehicle also features Wotan composite armour, with the vehicle designed to withstand shape charge jets as well as large caliber kinetic energy penetrators. The exact thickness and capabilities of the vehicle's armour is classified, but it is estimated to be around 1,500-2,000 mm on the Ausf. A5-A8 models.

To retain the benefits of speed for the vehicle, the sides and rear of the tank are only rated to protect against heavy machine guns, medium caliber rounds (76mm-100mm cannons), and older types of ammunition (AP, APHE, HEAT, HE). However, in combat areas of higher-risk, the vehicle can be fitted with composite side-skirts that increase side protection against higher caliber rounds and RPGs. For protection against mines, the vehicle is fitted with a sloped hull floor (45°) and is also reinforced.

The Jaguar III is often pictured with its pointed appliqué armour. This Ausf. A6 is pictured with additional armour protection, including composite side skirts as well as extra smoke launchers.

Secondary Protection

As common with many modern main battle tanks the Jaguar III follows the concept of "compartmentation," which is separating the crew from possible sources of fire or explosions. Ammunition within the turret is stored in protected racks which are designed to discharge any ammunition explosions out of the top of the turret, rather than into the crew compartment. In addition, the vehicle continues the Cold War tradition of protection from nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) threats from the Veidt NBC overpressurisation system.

Standard variants include two groups of Böckler 76mm smoke discharge mortars, with other variants including an additional 4 sets of smoke mortars. These are fired electrically from the interior of the vehicle, and can be fired individually or in salvos of four. These smoke mortars are attached to the sides of the turret.

Furthermore, the Jaguar III is equipped with a Halon fire protection system that is installed near the driver's position. The system automatically engages if temperatures within the fighting compartment reach higher than 82 °C (180 °F). There is also an additional FPS for the engine compartment, which is manually triggered by the driver or commander of the vehicle.

Armament

Primary

The primary armament of the Jaguar III is the Stebertstahl KwK 78 L/44 (for all models under the Ausf. A5 variant), the Stebertstahl KwK 91 L/51 (for Ausf. A5-A7 variants), and the Stebertstahl-KWF KwK 216 L/51 (for the Ausf. A8 variant). KwK is the shortened acronym for Kampfwagenkanone (combat-vehicle cannon), which is the standard designation for primary weapons of armoured vehicles. Ammunition for the gun comprises 27 rounds stored in a special magazine in the forward section of the hull, to the left of the driver's station, with an additional 15 rounds stored in the left side of the turret bustle, which are separated from the fighting compartment by an electrically operated door. The tank features a fully-stabilized gun and fires various rounds of ammunition - the primary round being the EM53 APFSDS-T anti-tank round, with its performance being classified. The EM53(A2) round was developed by Stebertstahl as an improved shell to be used in the KwK 91 and is used by the Ausf. A6 and Ausf. A7 variants. The EM53 is only provided to close allies of the Kaiserreich, and is set to be replaced by 2021 with the EM63 as well as the EM73 (which is the primary ammunition of the KwK 216). The main gun is capable of +20° of elevation, and −9° of depression.

Stebertstahl also developed an upgrade for the KwK 78 to enable the gun to fire anti-tank guided missiles, available for current operators of the KwK 78.

Up-close picture of the Stebertstahl KwK 78 L/44 of a Jaguar III Ausf. A5 in Berlin.

Secondary

The Jaguar III is equipped with two machine guns as a standard, but is able to be modified in order to equip up to 6 machine guns. The primary machine gun used by the tank is the Kaiserlicher Waffenfabrik MG65 n.A., which fires a round in the 7.62×51mm caliber. However, the vehicle is capable of equipping a 12.7mm or 15mm weapon system.

Variants

vergoldeter Jaguar A1

The first iteration of the Jaguar III, the vehicle was a heavily modified form of the Lowe, which had been serving the Kaiserliche Heer as its primary MBT since 1961. The hull was elongated in order to accommodate the modified turret that was to house the 120mm cannon as well as composite armour. This design was not chosen for further production, instead being replaced by the vergoldeter Jaguar A2.

This design was later offered to the Kaiserliche Heer as a further upgrade to the Lowe, but was rejected due to complications with the design that would hinder battlefield awareness and the vehicle's speed.

The first iteration of the Jaguar III used a heavily modified form of the Lowe, which had been serving the Kaiserliche Heer as its primary MBT since 1961.

vergoldeter Jaguar A2

Known as the first "true iteration" of the Jaguar III, the vergoldeter Jaguar A2 was the second attempt that was planned to be fully independent of any prior design attempts. This design was originally planned to have two variants, one armed with the 120mm KwK 78 L/44 and another variant (codenamed the Raketenjaguar) housing a dummy gun with multiple anti-tank guided missiles as its armament. Before production, the latter variant was deemed unnecessary and cancelled.

The vergoldeter Jaguar A2 used a completely new chassis and turret system, which resembled the eventual production series of tanks. Two prototypes began production in 1976, TP198 and TP199. These prototypes were equipped with the KwK 78 L/44 and with two different suspensions in order to determine the most optimal for the vehicle, a hydropneumatic and a standard suspension. In addition, two different fire control systems along with central "computers" were installed: the Imperial Software Corporation IP-445 and the EagleSoft EP-1098. A laser rangefinder was equipped on both vehicles, as it was determined that this was the most efficient form of rangefinding at the time.

These prototypes were tested by the Kaiserliche Heer, and proved to be "above satisfactory." In 1978, Kriegsminister Ingolf von Kohlhaase approved the OHL's request to officially procure the Kempenhaus-Pollmächer as the Jaguar III main battle tank.

Jaguar III

This designation was given to the first production model of the vehicle, which served as a model as to which following Jaguar III models were based upon. This designation was not given to more than 2 vehicles, as it was not intended to be commissioned. This model continued the design of the vergoldeter Jaguar A2, and retained that model's vertical turret composite armour and hull design.

Jaguar III Ausf. A1

First production variant of the Jaguar III, incorporating the vertical composite turret armour as well as the planned 120mm cannon. The Ausf. A1 was most notable for its improved gunner's sight, which incorporated a thermal imaging sight. This variant also saw the addition of ammunition racks placed in the rear of the turret in the "blowout rack" fashion, as well as filters that would reduce the amount of time needed for refueling the vehicle. About 50 of these variants were made, and were phased out of service in favour of the Ausf. A4 in 1985.

Jaguar III Ausf. A2

This variant was not designated by the Kaiserliche Heer, but rather in conjunction between the Kaiserliche-Marine and the Kleinaruschan Republican Army as an upgrade to the existing Ausf. A1. This variant saw, most notably, the addition of a new PZV-566 gunners' sight and the improved ability to wade through water at a quicker pace than the original Jaguar III was designed. This ability was seen as an advantage to commanders of the Kaiserliche-Marine Marinier-Korps as well as the Republican Army due to Kleinaruscha's many bodies of water.

This deep wading modification gave the Jaguar III the ability to wade up to 4 meters (~13 feet) with the usage of a deep-wading snorkel. This modification would be later adapted to the standard Jaguar III with the Ausf. A4 variant. A total of 70 were produced for the two operators.

Jaguar III Ausf. A3

The Ausf. A3 variant of the Jaguar III was the first variant of the vehicle to be produced by the Kaiserlicher Maschinenfabrik Weilheim, whom was added on as a secondary producer to act as an assisting firm to Kempenhaus-Pollmächer to assist in creating a faster production time. The Ausf. A3 was technically the first production of the Ausf. A4 variant, but lacked the upgrades that would be found in that production. A total of 150 vehicles would be produced, which later were upgraded to Ausf. A5 Export standards and delivered to foreign purchasers.

Flugabwehrpanzer Jaguar III Ausf. A3

The Flugabwehrpanzer Jaguar III was a series of anti-aircraft vehicles produced in 2005 by Kleinaruscha in order to utilise decommissioned Jaguar III hulls as a stop-gap solution to the lacking air-defence section of the Kleinaruschan Republican Army. These vehicles were fitted with a modified form of the Flakpanzer XX Luft-Löwe anti-aircraft system, but overall retaining the system's twin 35mm Kraussman FlaK 71 anti-aircraft autocannons. A total of 20 Jaguar III Ausf. A3 hulls were converted to the Flugabwehrpanzer Jaguar III from 2005-2009, and continue to see service in the Kleinaruschan Republican Army. The KRA has also offered to assist in anti-aircraft conversions of older Jaguar III models in service with foreign armies.

Flakpanzer Jaguar III on display in Talvistova, 2014.

Jaguar III Ausf. A4

The most widely produced variant of the Jaguar III, the Ausf. A4 was designed to be a model for the "future of combat." This meant that the vehicle would be capable of service well into the future, be fully capable of combat with any armoured vehicle in the world at the time, and be able to be easily modified into its service life. This variant was produced from 1985-1993.

This variant greatly improved upon the previous models, most notably the new design of the composite turret armour - a mixture of titanium and tungsten armour that provided superior protection to chemical and kinetic ammunition. In addition, the vehicle was equipped with a newly developed Ostland fully digitalised fire control system as well as the now-standard fully automated fire and detonation suppression system for the fighting and engine compartments. The vehicle was also given an upgraded suspension system, as well as a thicker front glacis armour to improve protection against mines.

The Jaguar III Ausf. A4 was the most produced variant of the Jaguar III, with nearly 500 being produced. This variant retained much of the features of the previous variants, and more than 75% of these vehicles were upgraded to Ausf. A5 standards by 1995.

A large amount of these vehicles were made, with estimates ranging from 700-800 vehicles being produced within the Kaiserreich and Kleinaruscha. Many Ausf. A4s have been converted to Ausf. A5 standards since the introduction of the Ausf. A5 in 1995, and many continue to operate in the original Ausf. A4 format with domestic upgrades.

Jaguar III Ausf. A4+

Jaguar III Ausf. A4+, pictured in 2012.

Jaguar III Ausf. A5

Jaguar III Ausf. A5 pictured in service with the Kaiserliche Heer in 2010.

Jaguar 3S "Almfelwr"

Shastaran Jaguar 3S Almfelwr, pictured in 2009.

Jaguar III Ausf. A8

Jaguar III Ausf. A8, pictured in 2018 sporting the 130mm KwK 216.

Engineering and driver training tanks

Bergepanzer BPz5 Greif

Technical Data

Technical data

Description	Jaguar III Ausf. A4	Jaguar III Ausf. A5		Jaguar III Ausf. A6			Jaguar III Ausf. A7				Jaguar III Ausf. A8
Crew:	4
Engine:	Maibach MiB-45 n.A. liquid-cooled V12 twin-turbo diesel engine
Displacement:	Bore × stroke: 170 × 175 mm, 47,666 cm3 displacement
Power output:	1,500 PS (1,479 hp, 1,103 kW), rpm: 2,600/min
Torque output:	4,700 Nm (3,466 lb·ft), rpm: 1,600–1,700/min
Transmission:	Hydro-mechanical control, reversing and steering gear HSWL 354 with combined hydrodynamic-mechanical service brake, 4 forward, 2 reverse
Suspension system:	Torsion bar spring mounted support roller drive with hydraulic dampers
Length Turret forward:	9,670 mm				10,970 mm
Width:	3,700 mm						3,760 mm
Height:	2,790 mm						3,030 mm
Ground clearance:	540 mm
Wading depth without preparation:	1,200 mm
Wading depth with snorkel:	4,000 mm
Trench passability:	3,000 mm
Climbing ability:	1,100 mm
Empty weight:	52 t	57.3 t		57.6 t A6M 60.2 t	WIP
Combat weight:	55.15 t	59.5 t		A6 59.9 t (maximum mass; 61.7 t), A6M 62.5 t	WIP
Maximum speed:	68 km/h; backwards 31 km/h
Fuel capacity:	1,160 liters (limited to 900 liters when not in battle)
Fuel consumption and operating range:	Road: ca. 340 l/100 km, ca. 340 km Terrain: ca. 530 l/100 km, ca. 220 km Average: ca. 410 l/100 km, ca. 280 km Static test: 12.5 l/h, 72–93 hours (with 900–1,160 liters capacity)
Rotation time (360°):	10 seconds
Armament:	Stebertstahl KwK 78 L/44 smoothbore gun and 2 machine guns			Stebertstahl KwK 91 L/51 smoothbore gun and 2 machine guns								Stebertstahl-KWF KwK 216 L/51 smoothbore gun and 2 machine guns
Turret weight:	16 t	21 t						26 t
Turret rotation time:	360° in 9 seconds (electric)

Operators

Jaguar III operators as of 2019

Current operators

• Englean Kaiserreich: 650 Jaguar III (Ausf. A4-A8) operational
  
• Kleinaruscha: 67 Jaguar III (Ausf. A1-A4) operational
  
• Shastara: 250 Jaguar 3S operational
  
• Rezua: 200 Jaguar III Ausf. A5+ export variants operational
  
• North Rukonia: 80 Jaguar III Ausf. A4 export variants operational
  
• Eastern North Islands: 4 Jaguar III Ausf. A5 (export variant) operational