By 1968., one MBT/KPz-70 cost twice as much as a Leopard 1, and by 1969. In May 1967 construction drawings of the nationally developed components were exchanged, and in early 1968 it was agreed that only six prototypes would be built by each country instead of originally planned eight. In February 1967., the 1500 PS liquid-cooled MTU MB 873 Ka 500 engine was ready, with its competitor being 1475 PS air-cooled Teledyne-Continental engine built in the US. First bilateral tests were carried out in October 1966., and showed the superiority of German hydro-pneumatic suspension system. US-built test chassis was ready in June 1966., and the German chassis in September 1966. The German version of tank was to have a 7,62 mm MG 3 machine gun coaxial to the main gun, and a 20 mm retractable automatic cannon in a cupola to the left of the turret roof, primarily for anti-aircraft purposes. The tank was to be operated by a crew of three, all of whom – including the driver – were to be seated in the turret.

The fire control system was to include a laser rangefinder and an infrared observation system. Ammunition complement was 50 rounds, of which 26 were carried in the autoloader. This gun was to have the ability to fire the Shillelagh anti-tank missile as well as the conventional ammunition. Tank was to have combat weight of around 50 tons, with hydro-pneumatic suspension and an automatic loader for its 152 mm XM150E5 main gun. The MBT/KPz-70 was intended to replace the M48A2G in German service. In response to this, Rheinmetall started work on development of 120 mm L44 gun which provided the basis of the new tank. Major drive behind development was new intelligence which stated that the Soviets, who already had 115 mm armed T-62, were about to start building 125 mm armed T-64. DEG included companies such as MaK, Rheinstahl-Henschel, Lutherwerke and Kraus-Maffei. The MBT/KPz-70 was jointly developed by US General Motors and German Deutsche Entwicklungs-Gesselschaft mbH (DEG) consortium. Design and Development The Main Battle Tank – Kampfpanzer 70ĭevelopment of Leopard 2 began in 1963., when the Federal Republic of Germany and the United States of America signed an agreement to develop a common tank, designated Main Battle Tank / Kampfpanzer 70.

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