On 3 February, the Italian Army's new LYNX KF-41 tracked infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) was presented at the Nettuno Polygon (Rome).
The LYNX is currently undergoing a series of demonstration tests in the presence of the highest military and industrial authorities, including the Chief of Defence Staff, Luciano Portolano, the Chief of Staff of the Army, Carmine Masiello, as well as the top management of Leonardo and Rheinmetall, represented respectively by the President of Leonardo, Stefano Pontecorvo, the CEO, Roberto Cingolani, the Co-General Manager, Lorenzo Mariani, and the CEO of Rheinmetall, Armin Papperger, and the CEO of Rheinmetall Italia, Alessandro Ercolani.
The current demonstrations involve a vehicle from the Hungarian plant in Zalaegerszeg, arrived in Italy last 31 December at the Army's Multifunctional Experimentation Centre (CEPOLISPE) in Montelibretti (Rome). Here, the vehicle is undergoing a series of operational tests, preparatory to the AICS/A2CS programme, at the end of which it will be returned to Rheinmetall (apparently by the end of this week).
Army engineers and testers are involved in familiarisation activities with the LYNX and will perform a series of evaluations in order to test the vehicle's mobility, protection, firepower and interoperability. The LYNX KF-41, designed by Rheinmetall starting in 2015, is a state-of-the-art vehicle, featuring a modular design and significant versatility, which allows for different configurations, including IFV, APC, command post and ambulance/ambulance, among others. According to insights, initial testing activities would underline the Italian Army’s desire for the programme to stay on schedule, with deliveries starting as soon as possible.
The first AICS UOR (Urgent Operational Requirement) vehicle destined for Italy - currently being built in Hungary - will be delivered during 2025 in its original configuration, along with 4 other vehicles, for a total of 5. A further 11 vehicles, equipped with Leonardo's HITFIST 30 turrets, are scheduled for delivery in 2026 as part of the same urgent operational requirement. These will be followed by the remaining vehicles, until the completion of the programme, which envisages 1,050 AICS vehicles in 5 versions for 16 different roles.
However, there is still a long way to go from the original KF-41 to the A2CS/ AICS as the series vehicles should be considerably ‘Italianised’. Although details on the workshare have not been disclosed, it is known that Italy has requested a substantial participation of its national defence industry in the tank and IFV programmes with Rheinmetall. In fact, the Leonardo Rheinmetall Military Vehicles (LRMV) Joint Venture establishes that 50% of the workshare has to be assigned to Italian companies. Rheinmetall Italy will get 10% of the work share, thus bringing the total workshare performed in Italy to 60%. Hence, the engine and other mechanical parts of the new IFV might well be Italian. In addition, it is very likely that there will be the integration of all the electronic and communication components, mostly made by Leonardo. At the La Spezia site, Leonardo is proceeding with further investments and upgrades to establish the assembly lines for the new I-MBT (Italian MBT) and IFV.
As far as the engine is concerned, in recent years, IDV has carried out many studies and development work in to improve its V-configured engine families: for example, the 6V-HPOWER programme, financed by a special PNRM (National Military Research Plan), had precisely the purpose of improving its V6 for IFVs such as the VBM for the Italian Army. Another notable work is the VECTOR V8 of the CENTAURO II, an 8-cylinder V shaped turbodiesel able to deliver a power output of about 1,000 hp. These are likely to represent the working base for the new engine (or a new subversion of these engines).
The main kinetic weapon chosen for the LYNX is Leonardo's new 30 mm (30x173) X-GUN 30. This is a totally new machine gun, recently developed by the Italian company at its Brescia site. This weapon is capable of employing all types of NATO standard 30x173 ammunition, including ABM (Air Burst Munition) type ammunition, which is also suitable for anti-drone use. Between 2022 and 2026, the company is investing more than €75 million to enhance its production capacities in the field of firearms with the acquisition of 20 new digitally controlled machines and the upgrading of those already in use. This effort is, in fact, aimed at raising the production capacity of barrels to 800 barrels per year of all calibres (the company is the only one in Europe able to produce barrels of all calibres from 20 mm to 155 mm).
The HITFIST 30 turret that will likely be used for the LINX features latest generation electronics (NGVA standard, NATO Generic Vehicle Architecture) and the new digitalised discovery (JANUS D) and targeting (LOTHAR SD) optics. On the communications and Command and Control side, it is equipped with a new digital intercom, the four-channel SDR (Software Defined Radio) radio type VQ-1 (with associated new antennas) and the new C2D/N EVO system.
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