Luftkissenpanzer-IX



 

 Introduction

 

The Lufkissenpanzer-IX, known as the LkPz-IX or Luki 9, is a modern hovertank which is the main HT equipping the German Army. It is also in service with Azania and several other nations. The LzPz-IX has seen heavy action against the French and Kafers alike and is regarded as one of the leading designs currently in service. In service since the early 2290s the LzPz-IX has been the recipient of several upgrades and redesigns.

 

Narrative

 

Maréchal de Logis Delmas swore violently as Lieutenant Abdelhamid’s AC-8 exploded suddenly off to his left flank. The 2e Chasseurs d’Afrique had only been inside Bavaria for less than half an hour and already they had lost over ten AFVs. The advance from the Rhine to the E35 road just short of Freiburg im Breisgau should have been an easy drive but it wasn’t turning out that why. The Chas d’Af had not been greeted by cheering crowds of freshly liberated Bavarians as they’d expected, but by empty villages and shoulder launched ATGWs. Now they were in a shooting match with some low slung German tank hunters that were hitting them with missiles from the flank.

 

Delmas swung the AC-8 around and brought the big 80mm MDC to bear on the firing point and the gunner rip with a barrage of rounds. The rest of the troop fell in alongside him and added their fire, but the Germans were no longer there. Plums of dirt showed where they raced back from the advancing French to take up positions elsewhere in the rich terrain of Baden-Wurttemburg with its rolling hills, small villages and woods so ideal for ambush.

 

His tracking software picked up a speeding hover platform and tried to identify it. He got an 80% match on a tank destroyer but he knew the profile was wrong. The damn thing had a massive gun mounted on the top of it which slewed rapidly towards him. A part of his brain registered a German flag at the same time as a Bavarian emblem that head fought alongside only a few years before.

 

‘Break right! Break right!’ His driver complied instantly as the German began pumping rounds out but his new wing man was a moment too late. The AC-8 shuddered and sparked as the armour piercing rounds hit home, the plenum emptied and the AC-8 bogged down scraping into the dark soil, slewing to a halt. Delmas and the remaining flanking AC-8 took cover behind a picturesque farmhouse as the striken AFV began to brew up, praying quietly for Allah to be willing to let the crew survive as flames began to lick out of blown hatches. Delmas stopped praying and started swearing again. This wasn’t like the steppes of Central Asia and he needed to come up with a new plan to take on these Germans.

 

Extract from 'Southern Front: The Drive to Stuttgart’ - Col. Forbes L. Harrison III, USA ret., Virginia Military Press, 2295

Index

LkPz-IX Ausf A

Variants 
Other Export Customers

Weapons

Colour Plates

Acknowledgements

  

Luftkissenpanzer-IX Ausf A

 

The LkPz-IX was developed as a result of Bavarian and Westphalian experience in the Central Asian War and the realisation of the failings of the LkPz-VIII in high intensity conflict. During the CAW it quickly became obvious that the LkPz-VIII was manifestly less capable than either the hard hitting and robust AC-8 or the highly mobile Russian HT-82. Even the modernised LkPz-VIII Ausf C with its upgraded gunnery systems and additional armour was unable to overmatch its Manchurian opponents.   

 

The LkPz-IX was derived from work done by the Westphalian conglomerate Rheinfabrik on the mobile tank hunter the LkPzJg-XII which saw action with the Bavarian contingent in the middle years of the war. Although only armed with missiles the low slung and fast moving LkPzJg-XII had great success against Manchurian AFVs. Indeed it had a notably larger kill ratio than the Luki-8, although tactical handling was partly responsible for this. The Bavarian military staffed a requirement for a better armed LkPzJg-XII up through their system which brought about the involvement of Jaschonek Fabrikant.

 

The new design, bearing the unlikely name of Project Tannhäuser, combined the basic chassis of the LkJgPz-II with JF’s latest 70mm MDC and a remotely operated turret. The first prototypes were not a success however, being underpowered and suffering from poor systems integration. This prompted a redesign of the chassis to incorporate the new Maybach 2MW MHD engine replacing the earlier 1MW version.

 

The end of the Central Asian War seemingly brought Project Tannhäuser to a halt, due in part to the large numbers of LkPz-VIIIs of various models still being in service. In fact the project continued onwards under a significant veil of secrecy and disguised as an improvement of the LkPzJg-XII

 

In common with the emerging trend towards pan-German enterprises several other German Sates were brought in on the development of this new AFV. Hannover and Brandenberg signed up for the project alongside Westphalia and Bavaria. Hannover in particular was responsible for driving forward much of the project with a injection of new funding. A multinational testing and trials unit, Panzergruppe Lehr, was formed which conducted trials at Bavarian training areas in Garten with both LkPzJg-XIIs, late model LkPz-VIIIs and Project Tannhäuser prototypes. These were undertaken under the guise of passing on CAW experience to other German State forces.

 

The first LkPz-IX models, the Ausf A, were delivered in 2291, initially to the Bavarian Army but with succeeding models to other German State forces. The next year with the Reunification of Germany Panzergruppe Lehr was initially converted to Brigade and then Divisional size and was fully equipped with LkPz-IX Ausf A. At the outbreak of the War of German Reunification no fewer than two full divisions and some minor units were equipped with these modern vehicles.

 

The Ausf A was notable for its step change in capability even over the modernised LkPz-VIII Ausf E. Powerful, low slung, stealthy, heavily armoured, with advanced vectronics and modern weapons the new AFV was a match for almost any other hovertank then in service. Designed as a pure AFV killer it had a limited multi-role capability when compared with its French equivalents however. The Ausf A had a three man crew mounted in the hull of the vehicle, with the driver stationed forward right in the hull and the gunner and commander to the rear under the remote turret.

 

The weapon suite included the newly developed 70mm MDC, two Luchs anti-vehicle missile launchers with 10 reloads and a single hull mounted 5.5mm machine gun. The Luchs had been battle proven in the last years of the CAW and were well regarded tank killers. The MDC was a CAW development originally designed for the up gunned Luki-VIII Ausf E, this was a sound weapon with a rapid rate of fire although it suffered in comparison with the modern French 65mm and some commentators questioned its capability to penetrate the frontal armour coming into service in other modern HTs. The vehicle also mounted close in Anti-Personnel System from a bank of 18 single shot grenade launchers mounted in the turret.

 

The LkPz-IX also lacked a hard kill close protection system, relying instead on its speed and impressive EW suite. The continuing problems integrating the weapon systems had also not being completely surmounted, resulting in a lack of accuracy at medium and long ranges for the MDC when firing on automatic. This problem could be overcome by using the manual controls for engagements with the MDC, although this would limit the rate of fire somewhat. Many of these difficulties were attributed to the rapid introduction into service of the LkPz-IX

 

The LkPz-IX Ausf A famously first saw action against the French during the War of German Reunification where in spite of being outnumbered by LkPz-VIII and other HT types it became the iconic image of German forces in the war. The LkPz-IX proved a match for the veteran French AC-8s and could outmanoeuvre the underpowered AC-10s but met a more equal enemy in the rare AC-12s it came across.  The sheer capability of the LkPz-IX came as a real shock to the French who often mistook it for the LkPzJg-XII, which often led to serious casualties. The Luki-9 firmly cemented its reputation as one of the leading hovertanks around, earning accelerated production and a number of export orders.

 

Already new models were under development and would soon being to replace the Ausf As in the core, however the Ausf A were soon in service in the colonies. Just under 30 Ausf As would see action on Aurore in the hands of French and Tanstaaflian crews as well as German technical advisors. Later 8 LkPzGr Division would take its Ausf As to war against the Kafers on every continent of Beta Canum IV.

 

Although largely superseded by more modern models by 2300 the Ausf A is still an important part of the German arsenal and can be found in the ranks of several other nations.   

 

Type: German Hovertank
Crew: 3
Displacement Weight: 10 tons of hydrogen
Armour: Front: 90, Top: 90, Sides: 60, Rear: 60, Plenum: 25
Armament: Remote turret with 1x 70mm Mass Driver Cannon (90 rounds, +3 fire control). 1x 5.5mm machine gun (4000 rounds, hull mounted). 2 x Luchs missiles (5 reloads each, mounted internally in the hull)
Signature: 3
Evasion: 8
Sensor Range: 12km (+2)
Cargo: 500kg
Max Speed: 220kph
Cruise Speed: 200kph
Combat Movement: 460m
Off Road Mobility: Full
Power Plant: 2MW MHD Turbine
Fuel Capacity: 275kg of hydrogen
Fuel Consumption: 45kg per hour
Endurance: 6 hours
Price:
Lv300 000

INDEX

Variants

BfLkPz-IX Ausf A

 

The ‘Befehls’, or command, variant of the Ausf A was introduced alongside the main Ausf A design on issue to company and battalion command staff. The main difference is in the enhanced communications suite and the high capacity satellite uplink mounted to the rear of the main gun. There was also a command version of the Ausf C model, however later models had enhanced communications across the entire fleet.

 

Aéro-Char (Allemand) 10 Tonne

 

AC(A)-10 is the French designation for the LkPz-IX Ausf A in service with the French Army on Aurore after having been gifted by the German government. There are only eight surviving vehicles still in service with the 1e Régiment de Cavalerie d'Aurore, a veteran French reconnaissance unit. The AC(A)-10s have been modified with the removal of the German 70mm MDCs (subsequently gifted to Tanstaafl) and its replacement with the Darlan C-16 65mm MDC and a coaxial 25mm autocannon mounted in a cradle. Germany officially refers to this modification as the LkPz-IX Ausf A2F 

 

LkPz-IX Ausf C

 

The Ausf C was designed to address some of the problems with the Ausf As, mainly the systems integration. The vectronics were replaced with a much more effective system and man-machine interface was greatly improved with the introduction of VHUD displays for the crew. The Ausf C is capable of being operated by only 2 crewmembers but most units continue to use 3 crew. The last modification was the inclusion of a 7.5mm machine gun co-axially, addressing a requirement for a greater capability to suppress enemy infantry. An attempt was made to use the 30mm APS in a point defence system but this was abandoned.   

 

The Ausf C was first introduced into service with the Bundesarmee on Earth in 2295 into units of I Korps. Although welcomed as a definite improvement in comfort and operability there were some concerns raised that it was falling behind the French who were developing the AC-12bis at the time. The Ausf C were dispatched to the French Arm during the Kafer War, both equipping reinforcing units and as replacements for already deployed units.

 

Armament: adds 1x 7.5mm machine gun (3000 rounds, coaxial with 70mm MDC).

 

Ngonyama Hover Tank

 

The Ngonyama (Zulu: Lion) is the LkPz-IX in service with the Azanian Defence Force. First procured in 2296 the Ngonyama most resembles the Ausf C and is produced under licence in Azania. The differences are in the deletion of the hull mounted 5.5mm and the addition of Azanian produced communications systems and the Sjambok close protection system. The Ngonyama also boasts additional fuel tanks for extended range.

 

The Ngonyama has been heavily deployed in the northern Areas of Operation in Angola and elsewhere as well as on Kimanjano against the Kafers with elements of the 1st and 3rd Mechanized Divisions.


Armament: Remote turret with 1x 70mm Mass Driver Cannon (85 rounds, +4 fire control). 1x 7.5mm machine gun (3000 rounds, coaxial with 70mm MDC). Sjambok Point Defence System 30mm AGL (120 rounds, mounted on remote turret) 2 x Luchs missiles (5 reloads each, mounted internally in the hull)
Fuel Capacity: 400kg of hydrogen
Fuel Consumption: 45kg per hour
Endurance: 8 1/2 hours
 

 

LkPz-IX Ausf F

 

The Ausf F is the latest generation of the Luki-9, integrating the lessons of the wars with the French and the Kafers. The design features further enhanced vectronics, communications, additional armour and a new 2.5MW MHD engine. In addition the weapon suite has been overhauled with the latest generation of 70mm MDC with increased armour and shielding, as well as a dedicated hard kill close protection system based on the GW-120 AGL. The Ausf F retains the coaxial 7.5mm and Luchs missiles but removes the hull mounted 5.5mm and 30mm AP close in defence projectors.

 

The Ausf F formally moves to a two member crew arrangement, although a jump seat is retained in the vehicle for transport of additional personnel if required. This model also includes additional fuel tankage to enhance endurance. The Ausf F is in service with a number of Terran based units and at least two battalions operating in the French Arm including elements who participated in the liberation of Dunkelheim. It is proving very popular and believed to have closed the gap again on the AC-12bis.      

 

Type: German Hovertank
Crew: 2
Displacement Weight: 11 tons of hydrogen
Armour: Front: 110, Top: 110, Sides: 60, Rear: 60, Plenum: 25
Armament: Remote turret with 1x 70mm Mass Driver Cannon (85 rounds, +4 fire control). 1x 7.5mm machine gun (3000 rounds, coaxial with 70mm MDC). Point Defence System 30mm AGL (120 rounds, mounted on remote turret) 2 x Luchs missiles (5 reloads each, mounted internally in the hull)
Signature: 3
Evasion: 8
Sensor Range: 12km (+2)
Cargo: 500kg
Max Speed: 220kph
Cruise Speed: 200kph
Combat Movement: 460m
Off Road Mobility: Full
Power Plant: 2.5MW MHD Turbine
Fuel Capacity: 400kg of hydrogen
Fuel Consumption: 50kg per hour
Endurance: 8 hours
Price:
Lv450 000

 

INDEX

 

Other Export Customers

 

The Luki-9 has proved a popular export vehicle for Germany, especially to nations wishing to gain a highly capable modern AFV. Flanders operates no fewer than three battalions of Ausf As as part of its mechanised division. Russia purchased a small number of LkPz-IXs which are believed to have been for trials, although there are rumours that these are now operating under the colours of the Central Asian Legion.

 

Mozambique operates a mixed fleet of LkPz-IX Ausf As and Ngonyamas. Scandinavia has received several battalions of Ausf C models in the past several years.  Spain and Croatia also have the LkPz-IX in service with their spearhead units. Tanstaafl has seven remaining Ausf As from its initial batch and is in negotiations to obtain an additional group of vehicles if possible. There are also several more nations who have varying numbers of Luki-9s in service.  

 

INDEX

 

Weapons

 

Rheinfabrik KwMK 45 70mm Mass Driver Cannon

 

The Rheinfabrik KwMK 45 was developed during the Central Asian War to replace the KwMK 35s which were then the main armament on the LkPz-VIIIs. The KwMK 45 was a significantly better performing but larger MDC than its predecessor, although it suffered in comparison to the contemporary and much more compact French 65mm. It was however notably more robust and easier to maintain in the field.   

 

On the LkPz-VIX it was mounted on the Ausf A and C models in the distinctive remote turret above the hull. This cannon also saw service on the LkPz-VIII Ausf E. The main round used is an armour piercing but HEAT rounds are also carried for use against different targets. An APSE round has also been developed for greater effect against Kafer AFVs combining a penetrator with a small enhanced blast warhead in the base of the round.

 

Type: 70mm Mass Driver Cannon
Country: Germany
Action: SA
Ammunition: 70mm APFSDS, 70mm HEAT
ROF: 5

Fire Control: +3
Aimed Fire Range: 2000m
DP Value: 90

 

Rheinfabrik KwMK 47 70mm Mass Driver Cannon

 

The KwMK 47 is a development of the earlier KwMK 47 developed to close the gap on the Darlan C-16. The KwMK 47 features higher muzzle velocity and better field control enhancing its delivery of kinetic APSFDS rounds. This MDC is mounted on the Ausf F and feature enhanced shielding and armour for the gun with a more robust stabilisation mechanism.

 

Type: 70mm Mass Driver Cannon
Country: Germany
Action: SA
Ammunition: 70mm APFSDS, 70mm HEAT
ROF: 5

Fire Control: +4
Aimed Fire Range: 2000m
DP Value: 100

 

MG-7

 

The MG-7 is the standard German Army conventional 5.5mm machine gun and is hull mounted in the Ausf A and C models of the LkPz-IX. Many crews and commentators have questioned the usefulness of the MG-7 with its limited traverse ball turret and it has been omitted from later models and some export versions.

 

Type: 5.5mm machine gun

Country: Germany

Weight (empty): 4kg

Length: 107cm

Action: Single shot or Bursts

Ammunition: 5.5mm x 40mm fixed cartridge ball

Muzzle Velocity: 1200mps

Magazine: 4000 round cassette

ROF: 5

Rangefinder: +1

Aimed Fire Range: 900m

Area Fire Burst: 20 rounds (AFV = 2)

Area Fire Range: 700m

DP Value: 0.6

Price: Lv900

 

MG-91

 

The MG-7 is the standard German Army conventional 7.5mm machine gun and is mounted coaxially with the main MDC in the Ausf C and later versions of the LkPz-IX as well as on other newer German AFVs. This weapon is relatively controversial as it doesn’t offer much greater performance than the lighter MG-7.

 

Type: 7.5mm machine gun

Country: Germany

Weight (empty): 7kg

Length: 110cm

Action: Single shot or Bursts

Ammunition: 7.5mm x 35mm fixed cartridge ball

Muzzle Velocity: 960mps

Magazine: 3000 round cassette

ROF: 5

Rangefinder: +3/+4 (depending on model)

Aimed Fire Range: 800m

Area Fire Burst: 20 rounds (AFV = 2)

Area Fire Range: 780m

DP Value: 0.7

Price: Lv950

 

GW-50 Anti-Personnel System

 

The GW-50 is a system of 18 single barrelled grenade launchers mounted on the sides and front of the remote turret. They are single shot and manually reloaded weapons with only limited accuracy designed to be volley fired to allow a vehicle to escape from a close in ambush. Long regarded as a marginal weapon system it has been omitted from the Ausf F models, although some LkPz-IX crews have sworn by the systems’ ability to lay down a mixture of flechette and smoke grenades when in close quarters against the Kafers.  

 

Type: 18 barrelled 30mm fixed grenade launcher system

Country: Germany

Weight (empty): n/a

Length: 30cm

Action: Single shot or volleys. Manually reloaded.

Ammunition: Any 30mm propelled grenade

Muzzle Velocity: 400mps

Magazine: 32 grenades total in vehicle.

ROF: 1-18 – max 6 only in each arc

Rangefinder: 0

Aimed Fire Range: 30m

DP Value: dependent on grenade used.

Price: Lv2000

 

GW-121 AGL and PD System

 

Developed from the GW-120 AGL this system combines an AGL and point defence system although on the LkPz-IX it is primarily used as in the PD role. However one of the two hoppers can be used for anti-personnel or obscuration rounds if required. The GW-121 combines the AGL with an optical and MMW tracking system cued by the vehicle’s targeting systems. It is included on the Ausf F model. 

 

Type: 30mm vehicle mounted automatic grenade launcher and point defence system

Country: Germany

Action: Single shot or Bursts

Ammunition: Any 30mm propelled grenade

Muzzle Velocity: 400mps

Magazine: 2 x 40 round hoppers

ROF: 2

Rangefinder: +3/+4 (depending on model)

Aimed Fire Range: 500m

DP Value: Dependent on grenade used

Price: Lv 7000

 

Luchs Anti-Vehicle Missile

 

The Luchs is Germany’s standard AVM battle proven in the CAW in Bavarian hands. While the missile and its guidance systems have been progressively upgraded the system remains essentially the same. While the missile can be outranged by its French equivalent it is slightly more accurate that the Manta-1. The LkPz-IX has two rear mounted vertical Luchs launchers each with five missiles in an automatic magazine. 

 

Type: Vehicle Mounted Anti-Vehicle Missile

Nation: Germany

Launcher Weight: 120kg

Range: 7000m

Guidance: Automatic

Homing Value: 17

Attack Angle: selectable

Damage: EP=40

Launcher Price: Lv4000

Missile Price: Lv5000

 

Sjambok Close Defence System

 

The Sjambok is a fairly standard MG-based point defence system, installed on a number of Azanian AFVs. The system mounts a short-barrelled variant of the R62 binary HMG to ensure clearance between the rear Sjambok positions and the turret. For passive defence an 18mm R65 automatic launcher is mounted coaxially. In theory this could fire standard shotgun shells, but it is exclusively intended as launcher for obscuration and decoy cartridges. As the R65 does not have a dual-feed capability it is standard practice in the Azanian Army Ngonyamas to alternate decoy rounds and obscuration rounds. Sjambok is capable of both anti-missile and anti-personnel roles, with both modes capable of fully automated operation. IFF functionality is incorporated, but is not 100% effective against ground targets. Active gunner control is preferred where there are friendly troops on the ground and when this is operating two weapons may be simultaneously slaved to the gunner’s targeting system.

 

The Ngonyama mounts a single Sjambok system to the rear of the remote turret.

 

Type: Close Defense System

Country: Azania

Weight: 175 kg (complete with 1000 rounds of 9mm binary and 200 18mm cartridges)

Armament:

1 * R62 Mod 2 9mm HMG with 1000 rounds and + 2 Fire Control

1 * R65 18mm Launcher with 200 rounds and +1 fire control

ROF: 5 per installation

Price: Lv 10,000

 

INDEX

Colour Plates

 

LkPz-IX Ausf A, 2 Kompanie,  Luftkissenpanzer Abteilung 21, 2 Luftkissenpanzer Brigade 'Bayerlein', Luftkissenpanzer Division 'Lehr'

Karlsruhe, Baden, Germany, Terra, 7th February 2293

 

This plate shows an early model Ausf A in the hands of the Lehr Division which was the first pan-German Division formed for the new Bundeswehr. The Lehr Division was formed by veteran soldiers from across the various German State armies and was initially tasked with trialling the prototype Luki-9. The plate shows one of the Division’s LkPz-IX just about to go into action in the Rhine Valley against the French.

 

Key recognition marks are the tactical symbol, the divisional symbol and the hastily applied kill markings on the MDC barrel. The camouflage scheme is the then standard single blue-grey colour.     

 

LkPz-IX Ausf A, Autonomous Hovertank Company, Tanstaafl Free Legion

Thunder Valley, Tanstaafl, Aurore, 2nd October 2300

 

This plate shows one of the Luki-9s gifted to Tanstaafl by the German government following training by a special advisory mission by German forces from Beta Canum. The Autonomous Hovertank Company was formed from those TFL mercenaries with AFV experience who were run through a truncated training process by the Germans. This image is taken of a vehicle which participated in the famous Thunder Valley mission by Tanstaafl forces which destroyed a large Kafer force. The Luki-9 is painted in a two tone pattern designed for operations in the east of the colony, it is assumed there was no time to repaint before being committed to action.   

 

Key recognition marks are the TFL insignia, the name ‘Beheaded John’ derived from a passage in Luke Chapter 9 in the Bible. In addition this Luki carries American, Bavarian and Algerian flags denoting the nationality of its crewmen.

 

BfLkPz-IX Ausf C, 1 Kompanie, Luftkissenpanzer Abteilung 143, 14 Luftkissenpanzergrenadier Brigade, 4 Kolonial Luftkissenpanzergrenadier Division

 

Hexenkessel, Dunkelheim, 25th December 2302

 

This plate shows the BfLkPz-9 Ausf C commanded by Oberleutnant Wilhelm Sandrock, the highest scoring German tank ace of the Kafer War. Sandrock had been part of the mission to Aurore as part of the continent from 8 LkPzGren Div and would later serve with that division in the defence of Beta Canum. Promoted in the field and highly decorated Sandrock became something of a legend in the Bundeswehr. This picture is taken shortly before the loss of this vehicle during his 40th kill during the Liberation of Dunkelheim.

 

This plate shows Sandrock’s kill markers on the barrel as well as the tactical insignia of his unit. Prominent is the ‘greyhound’ emblem of 8 Division which was also carried by the 14th Brigade which had previously belonged to that Division. The colour scheme is a disruptive pattern specifically designed for operations within the Kamelinsekt habitats of Dunkelheim.

 

INDEX

 

Acknowledgments

 

Rheinfabrik is by A Gubler. The Sjambok point defence system is by David Gillon. The original LkPz-IX is described in the Ground Vehicle Guide and some of its weapons are taken from the 1st Edition Players Guide.

 

The line drawings are by D Hebditch and are derived from the LkPz-IX drawings in the Ground Vehicle Guide and the drawing in the Aurore Sourcebook. They follow the general dimensions of the Aurore SB vehicle while taking details from the GVG drawing. I have used the canon from the Aurore SB as the basis of the KwMK 47. 3D pictures are by Ian Stead.

 

INDEX

 

 

Copyright 2010, D Hebditch and Ian Stead.

 

13 Feb 10