Heller Cheetah

The Flakpanzer Gepard (FlakPz Gepard) is an autonomous, highly mobile, all-weather combat-capable anti-aircraft tank produced in Germany, which was developed and manufactured in the 1970s. For a long time, it served as a cornerstone of the Bundeswehr's air defense. The Gepard was designed to provide protection for the mobile tank and mechanized infantry troops of the Bundeswehr against low-flying aircraft and attack helicopters within the tactical framework of combined arms combat. The choice of armament also took into account the engagement of heavily armored attack helicopters such as the Mil Mi-24 "Hind," whose armor effectively protected against projectiles up to 23 mm caliber. When engaging ground targets, such as tanks or wheeled vehicles, targeting and tracking were done visually through one of the periscopes of the commander or gunner. Due to the relatively large caliber of its guns, which exceeds that of most infantry fighting vehicles, it could easily destroy lightly armored vehicles such as infantry fighting vehicles, transport tanks, or other anti-aircraft vehicles.