GIAT AMX-30
Notes: The
AMX-30, first accepted into French Army service in 1966, was a more-or-less
standard sort of tank of the period, though in several ways they had advanced,
innovative features, and in some ways they were behind the times.
Since their introduction, they have been exported to several countries
and given many upgrades, often by their owning countries or by the French on
behalf of their countries. France
uses them only on a limited basis by 2008, though many of their export buyers
still use them as primary or secondary main battle tanks.
The AMX-30
The AMX-30 was
originally designed to fulfill a joint French-German-Italian requirement for a
main battle tank to replace the ageing tanks of each of those countries, with
design beginning in 1957. Strangely
enough, heavy armor was not a requirement, as the rapid development of ATGMs and
APDS and APFSDS penetrators was believed to make heavy armor obsolete by the
designers. Instead, the accent was
on speed and agility, along with enough firepower to destroy Soviet tanks of the
period. A low silhouette was also
deemed desirable. Though the
Germans ended developing the Leopard 1 instead and the Italians also decided to
buy the Leopard 1, GIAT went ahead with the AMX-30 project for the French Army.
Unlike most late
1950s designs, the AMX-30 used a diesel engine instead of one powered by
gasoline. This was changed to a
multifuel engine before production began to comply with the new NATO
requirements of that time. This was
a Hispano-Suiza HS-110 engine developing 720 horsepower.
Steering is of the differential type with the driver using laterals,
along with neutral steer levers; the transmission is automatic.
The tracks are wide, giving the AMX-30 a low ground pressure.
Roadwheels are aluminum alloy with rubber rims, also uncommon among tanks
of the time; return rollers are basically small versions of the roadwheels.
The location of the roadwheels and torsion bars was designed to help keep
the silhouette low, while not making the interior so cramped that crews had to
be chosen by the height of the troops.
Without preparation, fording capability is 1.3 meters; with a few
preparations 2 meters can be forded, and with the attachment of a snorkel, 4
meters can be forded.
GIAT jumped
straight to the then-new 105mm gun as main armament.
However, instead of using the L-7, which was used by most of the NATO
tanks that used a 105mm gun, the French developed their own rifled 105mm gun,
designed by DEFA. This is a
long-barreled gun (56 calibers) with a magnesium-alloy thermal sleeve and fume
evacuator. Primary ammunition was
to be the OCC F1, a HEAT round with a fragmentation jacket that has unusual,
unique properties. As
fin-stabilized HEAT rounds were considered less accurate (they were at the time)
and spinning HEAT rounds are less effective, they developed a round that spun,
but the warhead was mounted on ball bearings and gyroscopically stabilized so
that it would not rotate. It was a
more expensive and difficult solution, but superior to most HEAT rounds of the
day against armored targets.
Unfortunately, it was less effective against unarmored or lightly-armored
vehicles. Unlike most tanks of the
day, the French did not initially develop APDS or APFSDS rounds because the
French felt their OCC F1 round was effective enough to warrant them unnecessary.
However, the AMX-30 can also fire standard L-7/M-68 ammunition.
The standard elevation of the main gun ranges from +20 to -8 degrees, but
the main gun can also be overridden and super-elevated to +40 degrees, allowing
the main gun and coaxial to be used against helicopters.
The coaxial was a GIAT 20mm M-621 autocannon (though it could be replaced
with a .50 machinegun at the buyer’s request).
The commander’s cupola is rather large and was armed with an AAT-F1
machinegun which could be aimed and fired (but not loaded) from inside the
cupola. The commander’s cupola had
all-around vision blocks. The
commander also has a x10 periscope with a coincidence rangefinder and auxiliary
controls for the main gun. The
gunner has a x20 telescopic sight with night vision, as well as two observation
periscopes. The loader (doubling as
the radio operator) has three wide-angle vision blocks, allowing vision to the
front and left side.
The layout of the AMX-30 is
conventional, with the driver to the front left, commander’s cupola on the
turret right, and loader’s hatch on turret left.
The turret is a one-piece steel casting, with a hull of mixed castings
and hull armor plates. Both the
glacis and sides are sloped. The
turret rotates using a hydraulic motor which slews the turret to the target of
the gunner, with a mechanical/manual backup.
The AMX-30 includes an NBC system with separate filters for each
crewmember, an electric pump for refueling, and a telephone for communicating
with ground troops at the exterior rear of the tank.
The AMX-30B2
Though some
countries were already performing upgrades on their AMX-30s, the first French
modernization of the AMX-30 came in the late 1970s, in for form of the AMX-30B2;
first deliveries to the French Army began in 1982.
Most of the
upgrades took the form of night vision and fire control improvements.
The COTAC FCS system was installed; this consisted of a modernized fire
control and gunner’s sight suite that included a ballistic computer and a laser
rangefinder. The gunner now had a
x10 day sight along with a CASTOR thermal camera (mounted in a separate armored
box to the left of the main gun, with armored shutters) with variable
magnification. The gunner also has
rotating periscope, a fixed periscope, and a small TV monitor that takes the
information from all of the gunner’s sights and displays them, with the gunner
choosing which sight to display on the monitor.
Gun stabilization is electronic and controlled by the ballistic computer;
this system can also automatically slew the turret and elevate or depress the
main gun to the appropriate angle to match the gunner’s inputs.
The 20mm autocannon is the same (as is the main gun), but can be moved
independently from the main gun.
The commander has a x8 day/night periscope to allow him to aim and fire the main
gun, autocannon, or his own machinegun; he can also access the gunner’s thermal
imager, and he has his own small monitor that can show the view from his own
sights or the gunner’s sights.
The AMX-30B2 has
a new engine; while it is a simpler and more reliable version of the HS-110
engine of the AMX-30 (called the HS-110-2), it develops 700 horsepower at 2600
rpm, instead of the 720 horsepower at 2000 rpm of the HS-110.
The driver’s station has an infrared vision block, and a conventional
driver’s yoke and brakes rather than using the laterals of the AMX-30.
The new transmission is fully automatic.
The suspension uses improved torsion bars, increasing off-road mobility;
improved tracks make the AMX-30B2 quieter.
The AMX-B2 uses
a collective NBC system rather than the individual system of the AMX-30.
An inertial land navigation system is installed.
Appliqué armor is added to the glacis, turret front, and turret sides.
Lugs for ERA are added to the same faces, as well as the side skirts.
Side skirts were added to the hull sides, protecting the tracks.
In addition to two banks of six smoke grenades on either side of the
turret, the AMX-30B2 can lay a smoke screen by injecting diesel fuel into its
exhaust.
The French Army
has long thought that the HS-110 and HS-110-2 engines were inadequate for the
job of powering the AMX-30B2 (or even the AMX-30).
In 1998, they contracted with Renault to produce a version of the Mack
E9-750 diesel engine to power the AMX-30B2, since Leclerc production was not as
fast as they first thought it would be, and the AMX-30B2 would have to stay in
service longer. This version has
double turbochargers, which are more reliable on steep side slopes than the
HS-110 and HS-110-2. The output is
rated at 750 horsepower, and the engine offers a greater lifespan and a longer
operating life.
The AMX-30S
The AMX-30S is
an AMX-30 optimized for desert operations and given some fire control upgrades.
It is also designed with lesser budgets in mind, being less expensive
than corresponding tanks of the 1980s (when it was designed).
It’s customers are unknown, with the exception of Saudi Arabia.
The tracks and roadwheels have modifications to prevent sand build-up and
jamming, the air intakes, air filters, and exhaust system have sand shields to
prevent entry of sand into the engine and transmission.
Likewise, crew cooling ports are given sand filters.
The transmission and engine are also modified to prevent sand problems,
but these modifications unfortunately lower the gear ratio and the output of the
engine to 620 horsepower (though with the engine developing more power for
off-road operations). The AMX-30S
has night vision for all crewmembers, image intensification for the gunner, and
telescopic 8x sights for the commander and gunner.
A simple ballistic computer and laser rangefinder are also fitted, along
with air conditioning.
The GIAT
AMX-30 Upgrade Package (AMX-30B2+)
GIAT offers a
comprehensive upgrade package for the base AMX-30 that brings it up a standard
almost better than the late AMX-30B2 standards.
These upgrades include the suspension taken from the AMX-30B2, the
replacement of the engine by the Mack E9-750 750-horsepower engine, the
replacement of the transmission with the ENC-200 automatic transmission,
modifications to the ammunition racks and fire control equipment to allow the
main gun to fire the latest versions of 105mm APFSDS rounds, the installation of
a DIVT thermal camera system which gives the gunner thermal imaging and the
equivalent of a CITS for the commander, an automatic fire detection and
suppression for the crew compartment, size smoke grenade launchers on each side
of the turret, and a decoy on the turret roof to detect incoming laser
designator and ranging beams and automatically launch smoke grenades.
The housing for the laser detection system also includes a jammer for
fuzes for ATGM and HEAT rounds, rendering them 50% incapable of detonating when
they his the upgraded AMX-30, as well as a laser-based jammer to decoy
heat-seeking fire-and-forget ATGMS and other rounds.
A simple ballistic computer and laser rangefinder are added.
Lugs for ERA are added to the glacis, hull sides (on new side skirts),
turret front, and turret sides.
Sales have been made to unknown countries.
This upgrade is sometimes called the AMX-30B2+, and a very few French
Army AMX-30B2s were upgraded to this standard.
AMX-30B2
Stealth MBT
The AMX-30B2 has
recently been used as a testbed for a tank using stealth technologies.
This tank’s stealth primarily consists of special shaping, air and water
cooling of the outer surfaces of the hull, and IR suppression of the exhaust.
The commander’s cupola has also been given a new stealth shape.
It is rumored that RAM is also used in it’s angled plates; the plates
themselves form a superstructure over the turret and hull (one for each).
Dust suppression measures and shields are also added.
The AMX-30B2 Stealth MBT is one level more difficult to detect on radar,
two levels more difficult on IR, and one level more difficult to target using
laser designators. As yet, the
AMX-30B2 Stealth MBT is still a testbed and not in production.
AMX-30
(Venezuelan)
The Venezuelans
have carried a fairly big upgrade on their AMX-30s.
GDLS of the US installed a new fire control system with a fire control
computer and laser rangefinder. The
main gun and 20mm coaxial are stabilized electronically with input from the
ballistic computer, and a small mast on the turret roof has sensors for wind,
temperature, and humidity. The
gunner also has a thermal imager.
The commander’s station is also modified, with its own laser rangefinder and
thermal imager; both the commander and gunner have image intensifiers.
The commander can use his sighting equipment to take control of the main
gun or coaxial, or fire his own machinegun.
An automatic fire suppression and detection system is installed.
Appliqué armor is installed, and the suspension is beefed up.
Finally, the engine is replaced by a version of the AVDS-1790 engine,
granting a massive increase in power to 908 horsepower, and this is coupled to a
fully-automatic transmission. The
smaller engine allows for an increase in fuel capacity.
The upgrade package is done by SABCA of Belgium, though the upgrade work
was done in Venezuela.
The AMX-32
In 1979, GIAT
completed the first prototype of the AMX-32.
The AMX-32 was to be a major upgrade for the AMX-30 series, incorporating
the latest in fire control systems and armor improvements.
Unfortunately, GIAT found no buyers for the AMX-32; this is probably
because better French tanks, like the AMX-40 and Leclerc, were just around the
corner.
The AMX-32 has a
layout that is basically the same as the AMX-30, but the turret faces, glacis,
and hull sides are more angular to allow for more modern armor, including
Chobham on the turret front and glacis.
The gunner’s sight has been repositioned to the right side of the main
gun, with the coaxial autocannon moved to the left of the main gun.
The commander’s cupola has an externally-mounted machinegun that can be
aimed, fired, and loaded from inside the cupola.
A CITS is also mounted on the rear of the cupola.
The commander’s sight is fully stabilized, and includes a laser
rangefinder of its own. The
gunner’s sight and ballistic computer is a development of that of the AMX-10RC
(at the time), and includes telescopic and unity sights, night vision, and a
ballistic computer. The gunner’s
sight system also has a low-light TV, and both the commander and gunner have
monitors that display information from the sights and ballistic computer.
The tracks used on the AMX-32 are beefed up, as is the suspension.
The engine is an HS-110-S2 supercharged multifuel engine developing 800
horsepower, coupled to a fully automatic transmission.
Twilight 2000
Notes: The AMX-30B2 Stealth MBT and the AMX-30B2+ do not exist in the Twilight
2000 timeline. In addition, the
repowering of the AMX-30B2 was never done.
Vehicle |
Price |
Fuel Type |
Load |
Veh Wt |
Crew |
Mnt |
Night Vision |
Radiological |
AMX-30 |
$438,466 |
D,
G, AvG, A |
400
kg |
36
tons |
4 |
16 |
Passive IR (G), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
AMX-30B2 |
$556,961 |
D,
G, AvG, A |
400
kg |
37
tons |
4 |
16 |
Passive IR (D, C), Image Intensification (G), Thermal Imaging (G), WL/IR
Searchlight |
Shielded |
AMX-30B2 (Repower) |
$557,161 |
D, A |
400
kg |
37
tons |
4 |
16 |
Passive IR (D, C), Image Intensification (G), Thermal Imaging (G), WL/IR
Searchlight |
Shielded |
AMX-30S |
$485,397 |
D, A |
400
kg |
36.6
tons |
4 |
14 |
Passive IR (D, C, G), Image Intensification (G), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
AMX-30B2+ |
$508,305 |
D, A |
400
kg |
36.02 tons |
4 |
17 |
Passive IR (D), Image Intensification (G, C), Thermal Imaging (G, C) |
Shielded |
AMX-30B2 Stealth MBT |
$714,314 |
D, A |
400
kg |
37.46 kg |
4 |
20 |
Passive IR (D), Image Intensification (G, C), Thermal Imaging (G, C) |
Shielded |
AMX-30 (Venezuelan) |
$587,560 |
D, A |
400
kg |
40
tons |
4 |
20 |
Passive IR (D), Image Intensification (G, C), Thermal Imaging (D, C),
WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
AMX-32 |
$621,817 |
D,
G, AvG, A |
500
kg |
40
tons |
4 |
24 |
Passive IR (D), Image Intensification (G, C), Thermal Imaging (D, C) |
Shielded |
Vehicle |
Tr Mov |
Com Mov |
Fuel Cap |
Fuel Cons |
Config |
Susp |
Armor |
AMX-30 |
135/95 |
30/20 |
970 |
367 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF46
TS17 TR13
HF58 HS12
HR8 |
AMX-30B2 |
117/90 |
26/19 |
900 |
317 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF51
TS22 TR13
HF64 HS14Sp
HR8 |
AMX-30B2 (Repower) |
124/87 |
28/22 |
900 |
345 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF51
TS22 TR13
HF64 HS14Sp
HR8 |
AMX-30B2+ |
128/91 |
29/23 |
900 |
336 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF46
TS17 TR13
HF58 HS12
HR8 |
AMX-30S |
106/81 |
23/18 |
970 |
274 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF46
TS20 TR13
HF58 HS14Sp
HR8 |
AMX-30B2 Stealth MBT |
123/86 |
28/22 |
900 |
348 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF51
TS22 TR13
HF64 HS14Sp
HR8 |
AMX-30 (Venezuelan) |
144/101 |
33/26 |
1170 |
451 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF51
TS25 TR16
HF64 HS18Sp
HR10 |
AMX-32 |
126/88 |
29/23 |
900 |
378 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF64Cp TS22Sp
TR14 HF80Cp
HS18Sp HR10 |
Vehicle |
Fire Control |
Stabilization |
Armament |
Ammunition |
AMX-30 |
+1 |
Fair |
105mm GIAT Gun, 20mm GIAT M-621 Autocannon, AAT-F1 (C) |
47x105mm, 1050x20mm, 2050x7.62mm |
AMX-30B2/Stealth MBT/Venezuelan AMX-30 |
+3 |
Good |
105mm GIAT Gun, 20mm GIAT M-621 Autocannon, AAT-F1 (C) |
47x105mm, 480x20mm, 2070x7.62mm |
AMX-30B2+ |
+2 |
Fair |
105mm GIAT Gun, 20mm GIAT M-621 Autocannon, AAT-F1 (C) |
47x105mm, 1050x20mm, 2050x7.62mm |
AMX-30S |
+2 |
Fair |
105mm GIAT Gun, 20mm GIAT M-621 Autocannon, AAT-F1 (C) |
47x105mm, 1050x20mm, 2050x7.62mm |
AMX-32 |
+3 |
Good |
105mm GIAT Gun, 20mm GIAT M-621 Autocannon, AAT-F1 (C) |
47x105mm, 480x20mm, 2070x7.62mm |
GIAT Leclerc
Notes:
Deliveries of this vehicle to French forces began in 1992, and by 2008,
460 of them were built, as well as 338 for the Army of the United Arab Emirates.
First combat use of the Leclerc was in Kosovo in 1999. The Leclercs for
the UAE as well as those sent to the Middle East with French forces have
modifications allowing them to better operate in desert conditions, such as more
efficient cooling systems, dust guards around the hull, and wider tracks, but
are otherwise almost identical to stock Leclercs.
The Leclerc
Block I
The layout is
conventional, with the driver at the front of the hull in the center, the turret
in the center of the vehicle with commander and gunner’s hatches on the turret
deck, and the engine at the rear.
Unlike most tanks armed with a 120mm gun, the Leclerc is equipped with an
autoloader that allows only 3 crewmembers to operate the tank.
The bustle can carry 22 rounds of ammunition for the autoloader, and has
blow out panels to minimize damage if the turret is penetrated and the
ammunition detonated (the same concept as on the M-1 Abrams, if not the same
mechanism). If this occurs, the
Leclerc is not destroyed and the crew killed; instead, the turret ammunition
supply is destroyed, the autoloader may not longer be operated, the gun, optics,
radios, and night vision suite take minor damage, and each crewmember takes 50
points of concussion damage. The
other 18 main gun rounds are carried in a drum beside the driver, and are not
protected from the crew by blow-out panels.
Another
departure from normal tank design is that the M-2HB is the coaxial armament and
the AAT-F1 machinegun is the commander’s machinegun, instead of the other way
around; this also allows the M-2HB to be used as a ranging device if the
rangefinder is damaged and inoperative.
The AAT-F1 may be aimed, fired, and loaded from within the vehicle if
necessary. The main gun is a longer
L/52 gun, with almost identical performance to the Rheinmetall L/55 120mm gun.
French or other Western ammunition may be used in the Leclerc, including
several special rounds developed by GIAT.
Seven smoke grenade launchers are on each side of the turret in clusters,
using the Galix system, and can launch 88mm smoke, AP, or IR screening smoke
grenades.
The gunner and
commander essentially have their own set of the same sights for the main gun and
coaxial machinegun, along with a thermal imager, image intensification, and a
laser rangefinder. The main gun and
coaxial machinegun are fully stabilized using electronics, gyroscopes, and an
internal computer. The commander
and gunner each have two LCD panels, showing the ammunition, main gun, and
coaxial state, and the other showing sight and target information.
The commander also has a panel showing the state of the entire tank.
The Leclerc has an inertial navigation system that keeps constant track
of where the Leclerc is in relation to the start point inputted into the system.
The inertial navigation system is also tied to a computer that keeps
track of vital friendly units, such as supply, replenishment, and command units.
The armor of the
Leclerc is modular; as better or new types of armor are developed, the faces of
the turret, glacis, and hull sides can be easily removed and replaced with new
developments in armor. The engine
is a 1500-horsepower SACM V8X-1500 Hyperbar supercharged diesel.
It can spray diesel fuel into the exhaust to produce a smoke screen.
The Leclerc also has a 30-horsepower TM-307B gas turbine APU to reduce
fuel consumption when the Leclerc is on watch operations or simply staying
still. The transmission is fully
automatic. The Leclerc has an NBC
overpressure system and an automatic fire detection and extinguishing system
(one for both the engine and transmission and one for the crew compartment).
UAE Leclercs
start out as Block I tanks, but the engine and transmission replaced with the
EuroPowerPack consisting of an MTU 883 1500-horsepower supercharged diesel along
with an automatic transmission that are both more reliable in desert conditions.
The UAE Leclerc is a bit longer in the rear sections to allow it to carry
larger internal fuel tanks. UAE
Leclercs have improved cooling systems for the engine, improved air filters, a
diesel APU instead of the gas turbine APU, and air conditioning.
Starting in 2003, they use a version of the FINDERS battle management
system that allows for the passing of friendly and enemy positions, mapping, and
commands and routing messages. GPS
was added at the same time.
Later
Leclercs
The Leclerc
Block II was delivered to the French Army from 1997-2003, and includes an air
conditioner, updated computers and software, appliqué armor for the hull sides,
and an enhanced cooling system for the engine, transmission, and suspension.
The Leclerc
Block III was first delivered to the French Army in 2004.
The thermal imagers are replaced by 2nd generation Iris FLIR
cameras, along with new laser rangefinders.
A new French battle management computer system, called Icone, equips the
Leclerc Block III. This adds IFF
and a central processing unit that keeps track of units on the battlefield,
integrates intelligence reports, and keeps track of the condition of the
Leclerc. A subsystem, called
IconeTIS, maintains contact with higher and lower-echelon units, and uses GPS.
The entire system is tied together by software and hardware called
FINDERS. In the Block III, an upgrade to the Galix system called KBCM adds
several more defensive measures to the Leclerc, including a laser warning
system, a missile warning system, and an IR jammer.
Twilight 2000
Notes: The French sent few Leclercs to the Middle East, retaining most of them
for use at home and sending AMX-40s as 120mm-armed tanks instead.
The Leclercs in the Twilight 2000 timeline are all Block Is and UAE
Leclercs without the FINDERS system and the GPS.
Vehicle |
Price |
Fuel Type |
Load |
Veh Wt |
Crew |
Mnt |
Night Vision |
Radiological |
Leclerc Block I |
$682,343 |
D, A |
700
kg |
56.5
tons |
3 |
29 |
Passive IR (D), Image Intensification (G, C), Thermal Imaging (G, C) |
Shielded |
Leclerc Block II |
$683,154 |
D, A |
700
kg |
57.8
tons |
3 |
31 |
Passive IR (D), Image Intensification (G, C), Thermal Imaging (G, C) |
Shielded |
Leclerc Block III |
$1,024,130 |
D, A |
700
kg |
58.14 tons |
3 |
33 |
Passive IR (D), Image Intensification (G, C), Thermal Imaging (G, C) |
Shielded |
UAE
Leclerc (Early) |
$683,443 |
D, A |
700
kg |
56.6
tons |
3 |
29 |
Passive IR (D), Image Intensification (G, C), Thermal Imaging (G, C) |
Shielded |
UAE
Leclerc (Late) |
$728,310 |
D, A |
700
kg |
56.72 tons |
3 |
30 |
Passive IR (D), Image Intensification (G, C), Thermal Imaging (G, C) |
Shielded |
Vehicle |
Tr Mov |
Com Mov |
Fuel Cap |
Fuel Cons |
Config |
Susp |
Armor |
Leclerc Block I |
168/116 |
35/26 |
1300+400 |
755 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF136Cp TS39
TR30 HF170Cp
HS28Sp HR19 |
Leclerc Block II |
164/113 |
34/25 |
1300+400 |
773 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF136Cp TS39
TR30 HF170Cp
HS33Sp HR19 |
Leclerc Block III |
163/112 |
34/25 |
1300+400 |
778 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF136Cp TS39
TR30 HF170Cp
HS33Sp HR19 |
UAE
Leclerc |
168/116 |
35/26 |
1600+400 |
755 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF136Cp TS39
TR30 HF170Cp
HS28Sp HR19 |
Vehicle |
Fire Control |
Stabilization |
Armament |
Ammunition |
Leclerc Block I/UAE Leclerc |
+4 |
Good |
120mm GIAT Gun, M-2HB, AAT-F1 (C) |
40x120mm, 950x.50, 3000x7.62mm |
Leclerc Block II |
+4 |
Good |
120mm GIAT Gun, M-2HB, AAT-F1 (C) |
40x120mm, 1100x.50, 3000x7.62mm |
Leclerc Block III |
+5 |
Good |
120mm GIAT Gun, M-2HB, AAT-F1 (C) |
40x120mm, 1100x.50, 3000x7.62mm |