AMX-10RC reconnaissance anti-tank wheeled armoured vehicle technical data sheet information UK

: 16 May 2018

Version française

AMX-10RC Anti-tank reconnaissance armoured vehicle

Description

Technical Data

Specifications

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Description

The AMX-10 RC is a wheeled armoured vehicle, usually used for reconnaissance and fire support armed with a 105mm cannon. The AMX-10 RC was developed at the end of 1970s. The AMX-10RC entered service with French army in 1979. It is no longer produced. Over 300 of these vehicles are in service with France. Export operators are Morocco and Qatar. It was designed in the 1970s as a replacement for French Army's Panhard EBR armored vehicle which entered service in the 1950s. In December 2000, the French Army awarded a contract for the upgrade of 256 AMX-10RC vehicles named AMX-10RC-R. The upgrade includes: new automatic transmission, new electro-hydraulic suspension control system, additional armour protection, a battlefield management information system, the Galix self-protection system, laser warning system, IFF (Identification, Friend or Foe) system, thermal imager for night vision and PR4G radios from Thales (formerly Thomson-CSF). The AMX-10RC was deployed by the French Army in Chad during Operation Manta in 1983/84, in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm and in support of UN operations in Kosovo. In 2005, the French Army will take delivery of the first new upgrade Giat Industry AMX-10RC

Variants

- AMX-10RC-R: new upgraded version with fire control system active protection system and add-on armour

Technical Data

Armament

The turret is in the centre of the vehicle with the commander and gunner seated on the right and the loader on the left. The main armament is a Giat Industries 105 mm F2 semi-automatic gun with a vertical wedge breech block and a barrel with a thermal jacket and a two-stage muzzle brake. The gun fires four types of Giat Industries fixed ammunition, APFSDS, HEAT, HE and smoke. The APFSDS round uses the penetrator of the 90 mm Giat Industries APFSDS round and has a muzzle velocity of 1,400 m/s. This will penetrate a NATO triple heavy tank target at a range of 2,000 m. The new APFSDS round weighs 13.1 kg complete, the projectile weighing 3.8 kg. A 7.62 mm machine gun is mounted coaxially to the left of the main armament. Two 80 mm smoke grenade dischargers mounted either side of the turret towards the rear are electrically fired from within the vehicle. The vehicle is also fitted with a roof-mounted 7.62 mm machine gun. The vehicle commander has six day periscopes for all-round observation and a day periscope and panoramic M389 telescope with magnifications of × 2 and × 8 which can rotate on 360° and enables the commander to observe the target regardless of the position of the turret. The gunner has three periscopes and an M504 telescope manufactured by SOPELEM and Compagnie Industrielle des Lasers (CILAS) which is the main part of the fire-control system.

Design and Protection

The hull and the turret are in welded aluminium which provide a protection for the crew against small arms fire, flash burns and shell splinters. The driver is seated at the front of the hull on the left side. The turret is mounted in the centre of the hull with the commander and gunner seated on the right and the loader on the left. Both the commander and the loader are provided with a single-piece hatch cover that opens to the rear and the loader has three day periscopes, one to the front, one to the left and one to the rear. The engine is mounted at the rear of the hull.

Propulsion

The AMX-10 RC 6x6 is powered by the Baudouin GF-11SX diesel engine, developing 280 horsepower. Vehicle uses a number of automotive components of the AMX-10P infantry fighting vehicle. The 6x6 suspension at each wheel station consists of a roadwheel arm and suspension assembly (link rod, level and cylinder with the cylinder acting as spring and shock-absorber and allowing the height to be adjusted). The suspension cylinders are supplied by a hydraulic pump. One stowage basket is mounted on each side of the turret.

Accessories

The AMX-10RC is amphibious with a maximum speed of 7.2 km/h in water. Water propulsion is provided by two water jets. Before entering the water a trim vane is erected at the front of the vehicle, with a transparent window in the left side to allow the driver to see ahead when afloat. The AMX-10RC is also fitted with a hydropneumatic suspension system, designed and manufactured by Messier Auto-Industrie, can be quickly adjusted by the driver to suit the type of ground being crossed, this being accomplished without the driver leaving his seat. A NBC system is mounted in the rear of the turret and maintains a slight overpressure in the fighting compartment. For use in cold climates an auxiliary heater is installed. The vehicle is also fitted with air conditioning system and night fire-control equipment.

Specifications