Leopard 2AV
The Leopard 2AV Versuchsträger is an experimental German main battle tank prototype developed in the 1970s as the foundation for the modern Leopard 2. It was created to test advanced composite armor, improved firepower, and high-mobility systems to meet future NATO battlefield requirements. Unlike older steel-armored tanks, the Leopard 2AV featured layered composite protection designed to resist both shaped-charge warheads and kinetic energy penetrators. It was crewed by a commander, gunner, loader, and driver, and initially armed with a 105mm rifled gun before development shifted toward the powerful 120mm smoothbore cannon. Powered by a 1,500-horsepower MTU diesel engine and an automatic transmission, the tank combined heavy protection with excellent speed and maneuverability. The Leopard 2AV served as a crucial test platform that directly influenced the highly successful Leopard 2 series used by many countries today.
About Leopard 2AV
The Leopard 2AV Versuchsträger is an experimental German main battle tank prototype developed in the 1970s as the foundation for the modern Leopard 2. It was created to test advanced composite armor, improved firepower, and high-mobility systems to meet future NATO battlefield requirements. Unlike older steel-armored tanks, the Leopard 2AV featu...Read more