The vehicle is fitted with a fire control system, all-weather tracking and acquisition sensors and powerful automatic guns. Its role within NATO is to protect key installations, combat units and troops on the move as well as on the battlefield.

UPGRADE PROGRAMME

The modernisation scheme for the Gepard includes: integration of C3 capabilities; improvement in target engagement with extended combat range, shorter reaction time and better hit and kill probability; and improved self protection. The main thrust of the improvement programme was the installation of new fire control systems, command and control management, muzzle velocity measurement device and the certification for new Frangible Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot ammunition (FAPDS) rounds.

The command, control and communications network for the Netherlands' Gepard includes the new TICCS control system with a FM 9000 radio from Signaal. The C3 system for the German Gepard, the HflaAFüSys, includes a new SEM 93 radio from SEL/Alcatel (GE).

The Dutch version, PRTL 35 mm GWI, is based on the same system technology as the Gepard system with the exception of the radar system configuration. For this reason the upgrade programme was managed as a bilateral project. First deliveries of vehicles in the upgrade programme were made in 1998, and the programme is due to be completed by 2002.

ARMAMENT

The Gepard is fitted with a two man electric power operated turret armed with twin Oerlikon KDA 35mm guns. The guns have automatic belt feed. Barrel length is 90 calibers (3150 mm). The rate of fire provided by the two barrels is 1100 rounds/minute. Each 35 mm gun has 320 rounds of ready to fire anti-air ammunition and 20 rounds of anti-ground target ammunition. The guns are capable of firing a range of standardised 35 mm ammunition including the new Frangible Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot (FAPDS) rounds. The FAPDS rounds have a muzzle velocity greater than 1400 m/sec.

The Gepard is equipped with eight smoke dischargers installed on either side of the turret.

KMW are developing a missile system for the Gepard, using the Stinger surface-to-air missile system. The twin Stinger launching system will be fitted on the side of the 35 mm twin gun.

FIRE CONTROL

The Gepard is equipped with a digital fire control computer supplied by EADS (DASA). The miniaturised digital computer uses 32 bit Motorola 68020 microprocessors, single board computers with dedicated arithmetic coprocessors and a command, control and communications (C3) interface. All data handled by the fire control system is related to the fixed vehicle coordinate system.

RADAR

The Gepard is equipped with independent search and tracking radars, the search radar (S-band for the German vehicle and X-band for the Netherlands vehicle) installed at the front rear of the turret, and the tracking radar (Ku band for the German vehicle and X/Ka band for the Netherlands) on the rear front of the turret. The radars provide 360 degree scanning with simultaneous target tracking, clutter suppression, search on the move capability, and monopulse tracking mode.

The S-band search radar installed on the German Gepard has a range of 15 km and sub clutter visibility of 60 dB. The German Gepard tracking radar operating at Ku band has a range of 15 km, and the clutter suppression is 23 dB.

PROPULSION

The Gepard's auxiliary power unit is the Daimler Benz 66 kW liquid cooled, multi-fuel, diesel engine, type OM 314. The generator power supply is 3x 200/115 volts, at 380 Hertz providing 2x20 kVA power.