The Flakpanzer Gepard: The Ultimate Anti-Aircraft Gun on Tracks

The Flakpanzer Gepard is a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG) that was developed by West Germany in the 1960s as a response to the Soviet threat of low-flying aircraft and helicopters. It is based on the chassis of the Leopard 1 main battle tank, and armed with two 35 mm Oerlikon autocannons that can fire up to 550 rounds per minute each. The Gepard is also equipped with a sophisticated radar system that can track and engage multiple targets simultaneously, making it a formidable air defense weapon.

The Gepard entered service with the German Army in 1976, and was also exported to Belgium, the Netherlands, Brazil, Chile, Jordan, and Romania. It has been upgraded several times with new electronics, laser rangefinders, and ammunition types. The Gepard is still considered one of the best SPAAGs in the world, and has proven its effectiveness in various conflicts.

One of the most recent uses of the Gepard is in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War, where it has been deployed by the Ukrainian Army to counter the Russian-backed separatists and their air support. The Gepard has reportedly shot down several Russian drones, helicopters, and fighter jets, as well as providing fire support for ground troops. The Gepard has also been targeted by Russian artillery and electronic warfare, but has managed to survive and continue its mission.

The Gepard is a testament to the enduring value of a well-designed and versatile weapon system, and a reminder of the Cold War legacy that still shapes the modern battlefield. The Gepard is a 550/round per minute gun that is hammering Russia, and a symbol of Ukraine’s resistance and determination.

In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the history, design, and variants of the Flakpanzer Gepard, and explore why it is still a relevant and powerful weapon in the 21st century.

History of the Flakpanzer Gepard

The Flakpanzer Gepard was born out of the need for a mobile and effective air defense system for the West German Army, which faced the constant threat of Soviet air superiority in the Cold War. The existing American-supplied M42 Duster SPAAGs were obsolete and inadequate for the task, and the West Germans decided to develop their own SPAAG based on their own Leopard 1 tank.

The development of the Flakpanzer Gepard began in 1963, with two competing projects: the Matador, designed by Rheinmetall, AEG, Siemens, and Krauss-Maffei, and the 5PFZ-A, designed by Oerlikon, Contraves, Siemens-Albis, Hollandse Signaalapparaten and Kraus-Maffei/Porsche. The Matador was armed with a single 30 mm cannon and four Roland surface-to-air missiles, while the 5PFZ-A had two 35 mm cannons and no missiles.

In 1971, after extensive trials and evaluations, the 5PFZ-A was chosen as the better vehicle, and a test batch of four vehicles, designated as B1, were delivered. Another pre-series batch of twelve B1 vehicles were delivered in 1973. By September 1973, the vehicle had received the official name Flugabwehrkanonenpanzer Gepard, or Flakpanzer Gepard for short. The first order for the vehicle totaled 420 units, which were divided into two variants: the B1, which had no laser rangefinder, and the B2, which had a Siemens laser rangefinder. The first B2 was delivered in December 1976.

The Flakpanzer Gepard was also exported to several countries, which had different specifications and modifications. Belgium ordered 55 vehicles, which were identical to the German version. The Netherlands ordered 95 vehicles, which had different tracking and surveillance radars and six smoke grenade launchers on each side of the turret. Brazil ordered 36 vehicles, which had a different engine and transmission. Chile ordered 16 vehicles, which were refurbished from German surplus. Jordan ordered 60 vehicles, which were refurbished from Belgian and Dutch surplus. Romania ordered 43 vehicles, which were refurbished from German surplus.

The Flakpanzer Gepard has seen combat in several conflicts, such as the Kosovo Conflict, where it was used by the German and Dutch peacekeeping forces, and the Russo-Ukrainian War, where it was used by the Ukrainian Army against the Russian-backed separatists. The Gepard has also been involved in several exercises and demonstrations, such as the NATO Tiger Meet, where it has shown its capabilities and performance.

Design of the Flakpanzer Gepard

The Flakpanzer Gepard is based on the hull of the Leopard 1 tank, which is a light and agile tank with a 105 mm rifled gun. The Gepard’s hull is slightly modified, with a longer distance between the third and fourth road wheels, and a longer engine deck to house six additional batteries. The hull is made of conventional steel armor, which provides protection against small arms fire and shell splinters. The hull has a driver’s compartment at the front, an engine compartment at the rear, and an auxiliary engine compartment at the front left.

The turret of the Flakpanzer Gepard is a large and fully rotating turret, which houses the main armament, the radar system, and the crew. The main armament consists of two 35 mm Oerlikon GDF autocannons, which are mounted on each side of the turret. The cannons can fire a variety of ammunition types, such as high-explosive incendiary (HEI), armor-piercing discarding sabot (APDS), and sub-caliber armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS). The cannons can fire up to 550 rounds per minute each, and have an effective range of about 4 km. The cannons are fed by two drum magazines, each with 320 rounds of anti-air ammunition and 20 rounds of anti-tank ammunition. The magazines can be reloaded manually or automatically, and the reloading time is about 10 minutes.

The radar system of the Flakpanzer Gepard consists of two radars: a search radar and a tracking radar. The search radar is mounted on the rear of the turret, and can rotate 360 degrees. It operates in the S band, and has a range of 15 km. It can detect and track up to 20 targets simultaneously, and provide information such as speed, direction, and altitude. The tracking radar is mounted on the front of the turret, and can rotate 110 degrees. It operates in the Ku band, and has a range of 15 km. It can track and lock on to one target at a time, and provide precise data for fire control. The tracking radar also has an optical sight and a laser rangefinder, which can be used as backups in case of radar jamming or malfunction.

The crew of the Flakpanzer Gepard consists of three members: a driver, a gunner, and a commander. The driver sits in the front of the hull, and has a hatch with three periscopes. The gunner sits on the right side of the turret, and has a hatch with a periscope. The gunner operates the cannons and the tracking radar, and has a control panel with a monitor and a joystick. The commander sits on the left side of the turret, and has a hatch with a periscope. The commander operates the search radar and the communication system, and has a control panel with a monitor and a keyboard. The commander can also override the gunner and fire the cannons manually.

The Flakpanzer Gepard boasts a number of features and equipment that enhance its performance and survivability. A 10-cylinder MTU multi-fuel engine, which can run on diesel, gasoline, or kerosene, provides 830 horsepower. A 4-cylinder Daimler-Benz auxiliary engine powers the electrical systems and the radars. A torsion bar suspension gives it a smooth ride and good mobility. A NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) protection system filters the air and protects the crew from contamination. A fire suppression system detects and extinguishes fires in the turret and the engine compartment. A smoke generator creates a smoke screen by injecting diesel fuel into the exhaust. Four or six smoke grenade launchers on each side of the turret create a smoke screen by firing smoke grenades. A night vision device allows the crew to operate in low-light conditions. A navigation system provides the crew with a map and a compass. A radio system allows the crew to communicate with other vehicles and command posts.

Variants of the Flakpanzer Gepard

The Flakpanzer Gepard has several variants, which have different specifications and modifications. Some of the most notable variants are:

• Gepard 1A1: The first production variant, which had no laser rangefinder. 195 units were built for the German Army.
• Gepard 1A2: The second production variant, which had a Siemens laser rangefinder. 225 units were built for the German Army. Some units were later upgraded with four Stinger surface-to-air missiles, designated as Gepard 1A2A1.
• Gepard 1A3: A proposed variant, which would have a new turret with a a new turret with a 35 mm revolver cannon and a new radar system. It was never built, but some of its features were incorporated into the Gepard 1A5.
• Gepard 1A4: A proposed variant, which would have a new turret with a 40 mm Bofors cannon and a new radar system. It was never built, but some of its features were incorporated into the Gepard 1A5.
• Gepard 1A5: The latest and most advanced variant, which features a new turret with a 35 mm Oerlikon Millennium cannon and a new radar system. The new fire control system, ammunition handling system, and power supply system enhance its performance and versatility. The cannon can fire airburst ammunition, which detonates near the target and creates a lethal fragmentation cloud, or programmable ammunition, which can be set to different modes and functions. The search radar operates in the X band and has a range of 20 km, while the tracking radar operates in the Ka band and has a range of 15 km. The optical sight includes a thermal imager and a laser rangefinder. The communication system allows the exchange of data and images with other vehicles and command posts. The navigation system has a GPS and an inertial navigation system. The protection system comprises a soft-kill active protection system, a hard-kill active protection system, and a passive armor system. The Gepard 1A5 is currently being tested and evaluated by the German Army, and is expected to enter service in the near future.