Jagdpanzer Kanone 90 | |
|---|---|
| Country | West Germany |
| Role | Tank destroyer |
| Produced | 1965–1967 |
| Built | 770 |
The Kanonenjagdpanzer (KanJPz; also known as Jagdpanzer Kanone 90mm, “tank destroyer, gun 90mm”) was a German Cold War tank destroyer equipped with a 90mm anti-tank gun taken from obsolete M47 Patton tanks. Its design was very similar to that of the World War II Jagdpanzer IV.
| JPK-90 Jagdpanzer Kanone 90 mm Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Photographer | Unknow |
| Localisation | Unknow |
| Photos | 63 |
| JPK-90 Jagdpanzer Kanone 90mm Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Photographer | Unknow |
| Localisation | Unknow |
| Photos | 31 |
See also:
General Characteristics
The Kanonenjagdpanzer (KanJPz), also known as the Jagdpanzer Kanone 90mm, was a West German Cold War tank destroyer. Developed in the 1960s by Hanomag and Henschel, its design deliberately resembled the successful casemate-style tank destroyers of World War II, such as the Jagdpanzer IV. It was characterized by a very low silhouette and high mobility, features deemed essential for survivability in a European conflict. The vehicle was primarily intended for ambush tactics against Soviet armored thrusts. However, the 90 mm gun, taken from obsolete M47 Patton tanks, quickly became inadequate against newer Soviet Main Battle Tanks like the T-64 and T-72, leading to its obsolescence by the 1980s.
| Property | Typical Value (Kanonenjagdpanzer) |
|---|---|
| Role | Tank Destroyer (Self-propelled Anti-tank Gun) |
| National Origin | West Germany (FRG) |
| Manufacturer | Hanomag and Henschel |
| Produced | 1965–1967 |
| No. Built | 770 (for Bundeswehr and Belgium) |
| Crew | 4 (Commander, Driver, Gunner, Loader) |
| Combat Weight | 27.5 tonnes (27.1 long tons) |
| Length (Total) | 8.75 m (28 ft 8 in) |
| Width | 2.98 m (9 ft 9 in) |
| Height | 2.09 m (6 ft 10 in) |
Armament and Protection
- Main Armament: 1 x Rheinmetall BK 90/L40 90 mm anti-tank gun (51 rounds carried).
- Traverse: Limited to 15 degrees left and right (casemate mount).
- Elevation/Depression: -8 degrees to +15 degrees.
- Secondary Armament: 2 x 7.62 mm MG3 machine guns (one coaxial, one roof-mounted).
- Armor: Welded steel hull with sloped armor.
- Maximum Thickness: 50 mm (front glacis).
- The light armor meant the vehicle relied heavily on its low profile and speed for survivability.
- Defensive Systems: Fitted with 8 smoke grenade dischargers and NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) protection.
Powerplant and Mobility
- Engine: MTU MB 837 Aa V8 water-cooled multi-fuel diesel engine.
- Power Output: 368 kW (500 hp).
- Suspension: Torsion bar, offering good cross-country performance.
- Maximum Speed (Road): 70 km/h (43.5 mph).
- Operational Range: 385 km (239 mi).
- Legacy: Due to obsolescence, many units were converted in the 1980s into missile carriers (Raketenjagdpanzer Jaguar 2) by removing the main gun and installing a TOW anti-tank guided missile launcher.
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