KF-51 against Abrams

The armored combat vehicle landscape is experiencing a phase of profound evolution, with the emergence of new designs that promise to redefine operational standards. Among these, Rheinmetall's KF51 Panther and the US Abrams X stand out, both presented as new generation tanks.

Much of the information on these vehicles is confidential, but we will try to offer you a comparison between these two tanks of the near future, probably the last generation of human-manned vehicles.

The Leonardo-Rheinmetall Agreement and the KF51 as the Italian Tank of the Future

An element of particular importance for Italy is the agreement signed between Leonardo and Rheinmetall for the creation of an equal joint venture in the land defense sector. This strategic collaboration aims to develop a joint European industrial and technological approach, with a primary focus on the Italian Army's land systems programs.

In particular, the Panther KF51 has been identified as the basis for the new tank intended to replace the Ariete 2C2 supplied to the Italian armed forces. Up to 380 tanks of this new type will be developed.

The objective is to create a competitive European hub in the land combat vehicle sector, capable of competing at an international level.

Comparative Analysis: KF51 Panther vs Abrams

Both tanks represent a generational leap over current models, while following distinct design philosophies.

Armament:

• KF51 Panther: The Panther is armed with the revolutionary Rheinmetall Future Gun System (FGS) 130mm smoothbore caliber. This weapon system is equipped with a fully automated ammunition management system and offers the possibility of integrating additional armament such as a 12.7mm coaxial machine gun and Hero 120 circuit ammunition.
  

  Hero 120 circuit munition (kamikaze drone), usable by the KF-51

• Abrams X: The Abrams
  

  XM360

Crew:

• KF51 Panther: The Panther has a crew of three people also housed in the turret (commander, gunner and pilot), with an additional operator station to operate drones and circuit munitions. A future variant with a remotely controlled and therefore unmanned turret is planned.
• Abrams X: The Abrams The crew configuration has been redesigned with side-by-side seating and automatic loading, another step having .

Active and Passive Defense:

• KF51 Panther: The Panther adopts an integrated survivability concept with on-board and external sensors [, active, reactive and passive protection systems [ 03:35 ]. Includes a dedicated Top Attack Protection System (TAPS) and ROSY smoke cloaking devices.
• Abrams X: The Abrams

Propulsion System:

• KF51 Panther: The Panther is based on the mobility concept of the Leopard 2, i.e. on the MB 873 Ka-501 V-12 diesel, with an operational range of 500km and a weight of 59 tons. A reliable engine, but still capable of further evolution.
• Abrams X: The Abrams So we move from the turbine engine, which was the best-known feature of the original Abrams, to a Cummings diesel-electric engine. The vehicle is equipped with batteries to be completely active in silent "Ambush" mode. It is believed to be lighter than the Abrams M1A2 (55 tons), improving mobility and transportability.

Other Systems and Capabilities:

Both tanks are equipped with advanced reconnaissance and situational awareness systems.

The KF51 Panther integrates unmanned aerial reconnaissance systems, while the Abrams X uses aperture camera systems (DOS) for 360-degree vision and radar sensors to detect threats from above.

The Abrams

Both the KF51 Panther and the Abrams

The agreement between Leonardo and Rheinmetall and the choice of the KF51 as the basis for the future tank of the Italian Army open new perspectives for the Italian defense industry and for the operational capabilities of the armed forces. The evolution of the geopolitical landscape makes it crucial to equip ourselves with cutting-edge means, and Italy seems intent on playing a leading role in this context.

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The article KF – 51 against Abrams

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This is a machine translation of a post published on Scenari Economici at the URL https://scenarieconomici.it/kf-51-contro-abrams-x-ovvero-futuro-carro-italo-tedesco-e-usa-a-confronto/ on Sun, 02 Mar 2025 14:29:29 +0000.