AMX-10P, AMX-10-TM, AMX-10-PC, AMX-10-ECH, AMX-10-HOT and variants
Type :infantry fighting vehicle.
Crew :2 men + 9 fighters.
Armament :a 20 mm M693 cannon; a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun; 4 smoke launchers.
Shielding :maximum 30 mm (estimated).
Dimensions :length 5.778 m; width:2.71m; height (overall). 2.54 m.
Weight in combat order :13.8 t.
Ground pressure :0.53 kg/cm2.
Engine:Hispano-Suiza HS 115-2 V-8 water-cooled diesel, developing 276 hp at 3,000 rpm.
Performance :
road speed speed:65 km/h;
speed on water 7.92 km/h;
range :600 km;
vertical obstacle :0.7 m;
clean cut :1.6 m;
slope 60%.
Service time :
introduced in 1973 in the French army; also serves in Saudi Arabia and Greece; on order for Qatar. Still in production.
The AMX-10P was developed to replace the VTT AMX, which had been in service with the French army since 1956. The first prototype was completed in 1968 and the deliveries to the French army began in 1973.
The machine is designed to operate in conjunction with the AMX-30 main battle tank. The hull is all wrought steel, the driver is installed at the front left, the engine on his right. The assisted rotation turret is located in the center of the vehicle, has two folding seats. for the
gunner and the captain. The main armament consists of a 20 mm M693 cannon, covering 360° of azimuth, pointing in elevation from +50° to -8°. 7.62 mm coaxial. The total ammunition load is 800 rounds of 20 mm and 2,000 rounds of 7.62 mm. One of the most interesting features of the 20 mm is its dual feed system which allows the gunner to choose the type of ammunition (breaking or piercing) best suited for the target he is engaging. For example, he will choose the armor-piercing (AP) shell if he wants to deal with armored targets such as personnel carriers, but will prefer the high-heel (HE) shell if he wants to attack enemy infantry.
The troop compartment is at the rear of the hull, accessible by a large electric ramp. The ramp is pierced with two firing hatches. On the roof two hatches that open towards the center. Six episcopes line up on the roof of the compartment, two on each side and two at the rear, allowing the infantrymen to familiarize themselves with the terrain they will have to face on the way out.
Two smoke launcher tubes are mounted on each side of the vehicle, at the rear of the body.
Totally amphibious. The AMX-10P propels itself through the water thanks to two hydrojets, one on each side of the body. Before launching, a wave guard must be erected in the bow
The standard equipment includes a set of NBC protection and night vision equipment for the driver as for the gunner.
The French give the machine the classification of VCI but, for many observers, the AMX-10P is not a real infantry fighting vehicle because. apart from the two fairly primitive firing hatches pierced in the
rear hatch, infantrymen are unable to use their portable weapons from inside.
The basic AMX-10P can be adapted very quickly to transport. supplies and a whole family of mission-specific derivatives are under development. The AMX-10-TM tows the Brandt 120 mm mortar; the vehicle carries a reserve of 60 mortar bombs. LAMX-1O-PC, command version, is equipped with additional radio equipment, a generator and an awning which, if necessary, can be erected at the rear of the body to increase space of work offered to officers.
A special version mounts the RATAC radar system for locating targets and conducting artillery fire. There is also a sanitary version, while the ECH variant is a recovery vehicle assigned to the technical support of the entire AMX-10 family.
Today still in the experimental phase, the AMX-10P-HOT mounts a newly designed turret armed with four HOT anti-tank missiles, in the "ready to launch" position; a supply of missiles is carried inside. The machine is also armed with a 7.62 mm machine gun The most recent version, the AMX-10C, is still in development The chassis is new but the vehicle uses suspension and many other elements the AMX-10P; it mounts the complete turret of the AMX-10-RC, with its 105 mm tube. The AMX-10C is believed to be a vehicle intended to take the place of the AMX-13 light tank.
Not content with this complete family in the field of tracked vehicles, the French have also developed a few wheeled 6x6 vehicles which employ many elements of the AMX-10P VCI. The first to go into production was the AMX-10-RC 6x6 armored reconnaissance vehicle, intended to replace the 8x8 Panhard EBR armored cars, in service with the French army since the 1950s
The AMX-10-RC mounts under the turret a 105 mm gun with 7.62 mm coaxial, the 105 mm firing fin-stabilized ammunition HEAT-T and HE, Very complete its fire control system includes a laser rangefinder and a TV system for movement and night combat. The suspension of the vehicle can adapt to all terrains, just like that of IAMX-10P, and this model is also fully amphibious.