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LYNX IFV Family Developments

27. October 2021

Rheinmetall is building a test chassis for the LYNX IFV at its Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE) in Queensland, Australia and supplying it to Rheinmetall America.

In the USA, the test chassis will be used as a test vehicle for developments as part of the competition for the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV), which is intended to replace the M2 BRADLEY. Once the current digital design phase is complete, the next step will be to commission prototype construction. Designed for modular additions, the LYNX will be fitted with assemblies from different manufacturers in response to US Army requirements. At its Australian MILVEHCOE, Rheinmetall is setting up an Australian industrial team to build the LYNX, the performance of which is to be proven with the test chassis. This includes Marand for the roof module, Supashock for the chassis, MILSPEC for the alternator and Bisalloy Steel and various partners for mechanical and electrical manufacturing.

New LYNX Family Member

At Rheinmetall’s Australian Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE), the company also unveiled a new variant of the LYNX KF41 tracked vehicle. The LYNX Combat Support Vehicle (CSV) has been developed in Australia with the support of more than 100 industry partners. The LYNX CSV is based on the LYNX IFV, where the modular design of the basic vehicle was exploited to allow for the integration of components from a wide range of suppliers, as well as reconfiguration of the vehicle hull.

The CSV has been designed for combat vehicle recovery and repair tasks as well as mobility and logistics support. A five-tonne crane is mounted on the rear cover, which can be used for the recovery of vehicles or to move heavy loads. An auxiliary tank enables the supply of fuel to external consumers (field filling station) and a clearing blade is mounted on the front that can be equipped with ripper teeth. For self-defence, the vehicle features a RCWS for machine guns up to 12.5 mm and a 40 mm grenade machine launcher.

With the LYNX IFV, Rheinmetall is a contender in the Australian LAND 400 Phase 3 programme. A procurement decision for some 450 IFVs is expected in 2022. The Australian Army aims to achieve Initial Operating Capability in 2024/25 and Full Operating Capability by 2030/31.

Dutch Success

Separately, the Dutch procurement agency the DMO has placed an order with Rheinmetall for illumination and smoke/obscurant shells with deliveries scheduled for mid-2023. With a two-digit million-euro volume, the order forms part of a multi-year ammunition framework contract between the Dutch Armed Forces and Rheinmetall. The contract encompasses the supply of 155mm illumination rounds, respectively M1808 Base Bleed and M1809 Boat Tail projectiles, as well as the smoke rounds RH1901 Base Bleed und RH1902 Boat Tail, thus complementing high explosive shells already fielded by the Dutch military.