The Lynx KF41 is a complete family of vehicles that utilises a common drive module and a flexible mission kit arrangement to allow any base vehicle to be configured as an IFV, an armoured personnel carrier, a command vehicle, a recovery vehicle or an ambulance. Changing from one configuration to another can occur within eight hours. This system provides significant total lifecycle cost savings due to base vehicle commonality, allowing customers to adjust force structures or develop new capabilities in an affordable and timely manner.

Enhancing the vehicle’s flexibility, the sub-systems of the Lynx KF41 are highly modular and adaptable. The Lynx KF41 features a digital backbone with a generic open architecture that allows easy integration of new mission systems, while the entire survivability system is modular and upgradable to allow the vehicle to cope with the highly adaptive threats faced on the battlefield. Different survivability kits are available for peacekeeping situations, counter-insurgency operations in urban terrain, and mounted combat against a peer. No other vehicle can adapt to diverse environments across the full spectrum of operational challenges like the Lynx KF41 can.

The Lynx KF41 features the latest generation of propulsion technology with an 850 kW (1140hp) Liebherr engine and a proven Renk transmission. A flexible suspension system has been developed by Supashock, an Australian company, meaning the Lynx can be configured to carry various mission kits and survivability packages without compromising mobility. When configured for mounted combat operations with the Lance 2.0 turret and a survivability package suitable for peer-on-peer combat, the Lynx KF41 weighs approximately 44 tonnes. In this configuration it provides class leading mobility due the high power-to-weight ratio of 26 hp/t, while still leaving up to six tonnes of reserve payload for future growth.

The modular survivability systems of the Lynx provide unprecedented flexibility for customers to cope with the wide variety of threats faced across the spectrum of conflict. The ballistic and mine protection packages can be easily exchanged, even in the field if needed, while the full spectrum of threats have been taken into account, including roof protection against cluster munitions. The Lynx KF41 with Lance 2.0 has been designed not only for passive and reactive systems, but also for an active protection system to defeat rocket-propelled grenades and antitank guided missiles.

The Lance 2.0 turret is the next generation of the in-service Lance family and has been developed to improve its suitability for an IFV. Lance 2.0 has various enhancements that provide a troop of Lynx KF41 vehicles with a very high level of organic capability, thus allowing the troop to have a disproportionate effect on the battlefield. The Lance 2.0 features enhanced protection for critical subsystems against kinetic and fragmentation threats, improving system survivability during close combat.

The next enhancement is the integration of the new Wotan 35 electrically driven cannon that fires Rheinmetall’s proven and in-service 35x228mm ammunition family.

Lastly, the Lance 2.0 has two flexible mission pods fitted to the left and right of the turret that allow installation of a variety of sub-systems to give the turret a specialist capability.

Examples of customer-selectable mission pods include dual Rafael Spike LR2 ATGMs, non-line of sight strike loitering munitions, UAVs or an electronic warfare package.

Mission dynamics

• Superb force protection
• Extreme mobility
• Premium crew comfort

Superior battlefield awareness

• Exact orientation of the weapon stations and superior field awareness
• Instantaneous detection of specific threats
• Automatic target recognition and tracking
• Real time situational awareness

Armed to the teeth

• Main armament: 35mm Wotan cannon
• Main Sensor Slaved Armament/MSSA with 360° view
• Antitank guided missiles
• Counter strike with the Rheinmetall's Active Defence System ADS and the smoke protection system ROSY

In September 2019, Australian Army down selected the Lynx KF41 , including the Lynx Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) with the Lance turret, and the Lynx Maneuver Support Vehicle (MSV) for further testing as part of its Land 400 program. The modularity of the Lynx KF41 also allows for additional reconfigurations of interest to the Australian Army including MEDEVAC, Armored Personnel Carrier, and Mission Command variants.

Rheinmetall and its partners in Australia are delivering prototypes now for testing and are highly confident that the excellence of the Lynx platform will lead to success in the competition and fielding of the Lynx by the Australian Army.

Rheinmetall’s Lynx KF41 deploys with Greek operators in Avlonas, Greece. The most sophisticated infantry fighting vehicle in the world is a strong contender for Australian and U.S. Army’s modernisation efforts but also eyed by many other professional armies around the globe. Adaptable, agile and hard-hitting, Lynx embodies a mature yet future-proof platform perfectly suited for strengthening joint resilience. Going beyond the capability, Lynx may also play a key role in boosting local industry and job creation.

In September 2020, NATO member Hungary became the launch customer for the Lynx KF41 when they entered into a joint venture with Rheinmetall for Lynx production and a framework contract to deliver a total of 209 Lynx infantry fighting vehicles modified into an Hungarian specific configuration.

On 15 October 2022, Rheinmetall handed over the first Lynx to the Hungarian Defence Forces. The Lynx KF41 will be delivered in seven variants including standard infantry fighting vehicles, command post, reconnaissance, joint fire observer, mortar carrier, field ambulance vehicles and driver training vehicles. The contract also includes additional Rheinmetall products and services such as simulators, training and instruction, as well as an initial supply of spare parts and maintenance services. In a first production phase, Hungary is to receive 46 Lynx in the infantry fighting vehicle and command & control configurations, and 9 Bergepanzer 3 Büffel/Buffalo armoured recovery vehicles from German production, with deliveries to be completed by early 2023. In a second phase, 172 more Lynx and support vehicles are then to be produced or delivered in Hungary in a joint venture with a domestic partner.

Similar to the U.S. and Australia, the Hungarian Team Lynx will transition technology and work into Hungary and manufacture vehicles locally.

Lynx KF41 performs in Hungary

First live impressions from the field

American Rheinmetall Vehicles is designing a new infantry fighting vehicle using Rheinmetall’s Lynx KF41 as the point of departure for their concept, which supports the U.S. Army’s modernization efforts being pursued through the Optionally-Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) program. The fielding of a next-generation combat vehicle is a top priority for the US Army. Maintaining overmatch and a competitive advantage against emerging threats is crucial. The Army’s OMFV program must deliver an IFV with overwhelming close combat capabilities that’s capable of operating in manned and unmanned modes. Rheinmetall’s Lynx OMFV provides the most modern firepower, protection, mobility, and power generation capabilities available to ensure the Army can fight and win against any foe.

Overmatch today. Overmatch tomorrow. Relying on the most innovative and forward thinking approaches in the defence industry, the Lynx OMFV will offer the Army a next-generation IFV platform designed specifically to address future technology and battlefield challenges. The Lynx OMFV features a game-changing platform with a purposeful, future-proof modular design that allows it to deliver not just overmatch today, but remain positioned to ensure overmatch tomorrow as new technologies and battlefield doctrines emerge. The Modular Open Systems Architecture (MOSA) of the Lynx OMFV along with substantial growth potential in power, weight and volume make the Lynx exceptionally well prepared to adapt to future modernization demands and to sustain overmatch for the U.S. Army for decades to come.

Made in the USA by Team Lynx. American Rheinmetall Vehicles’ Lynx offering will benefit from both the world-class combat vehicle engineering heritage found at Rheinmetall in Germany, and the extensive customization and improvements made by Team Lynx in the U.S. Led by American Rheinmetall Vehicles, LLC, in Sterling Heights, Michigan, Team Lynx consists of world leaders in defense technologies – Textron Systems, Raytheon Technologies, L3Harris, Allison Transmission, and Anduril Industries. The Lynx OMFV reflects a close working relationship with the U.S. Army as Team Lynx looks to not only deliver a revolutionary, American-made infantry-fighting vehicle, but to also bring new, advanced industrial capacity to the U.S. defense industrial base while continuously building a truly customer-focused, highly communicative partnership with the U.S. Army.

Interested in joining Team Lynx? If your company would like to join Team Lynx as a partner or supplier, please contact us to connect with our leaders and discuss potential opportunities. We look forward to working with you as we continue to define our team.

Whitepaper

Learn more in the whitepaper produced by Defense News "The imperative of the Army's optionally manned fighting vehicle"

For further information also visit:

American Rheinmetall Vehicles, LLC

Exclusively Lynx OMFV – The Army’s next-gen infantry fighting vehicle