Basic Information

Name

AMX-10 PAC 90 French Amphibious Tank Destroyer / SP Artillery Piece

Designation

AMX-10 PAC 90

Alternate Designation

AMX-10 PAC 90

Equipment Type

Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)

Manufacturer

Nexter

Date of Introduction

1979

Description

Known as a "Tank Destroyer," The AMX-10 PAC 90 is dedicated fire support and an anti-tank variant of the AMX-10P infantry fighting vehicle. Its production commenced in 1979. This vehicle is in service with France, Brazil, and possibly some other countries. This fire support vehicle was designed to operate alongside the main battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles. At the time of its introduction, it was capable of taking anti-tank combat, however by current standards, its armament is too weak to knock out a modern MBT. It was also intended as a reconnaissance and infantry support vehicle. The aluminum armor of this fire support vehicle provides all-around protection against small arms fire and artillery shell splinters. Front armor withstands 14.5 mm heavy machine gun rounds. The vehicle has an NBC protection system.

Ground Specifications

Crew 3

Mobility Type Tracked

Engine V-8 Diesel (300 hp)

NBC Protection Yes

Variants

AMX-10P Marines The AMX-10P Marines is a variant of the AMX-10P specifically developed to provide improved amphibious capabilities at sea or in rivers of the original AMX-10P.

AMX-10 PAC 90 The primary role of the AMX-10 PAC 90 is that of anti-tank and fire support on the battlefield at ranges between 1,000 and 2,500 m, but it can also be used as a reconnaissance vehicle or as an APC.

AMX-10 ECH The AMX-10 ECH is an ARV based on the hull of the AMX-10P. It is designed to support AMX-10P vehicles in combat and maintain readiness by conducting repairs as close to the battlefield as possible.

AMX-10 Ambulance The AMX-10P is also used to perform as a battlefield ambulance. It is based on the same hull as the AMX-10P to ensure that it can perform alongside other armoured formations.

AMX-10PC The AMX-10PC is an armoured command post designed to support the operations of armoured formations during combat.

AMX-10 HOT This was the basic AMX-10P, with the Toucan II turret replaced by a new two-man Lancelot turret based on the TH 20, with four ready-to-launch 4,000 m range MBDA HOT missiles and a further 14 missiles carried in the rear of the hull. The crew of five consisted of the commander and gunner in the turret, two missile loaders, and the driver.

AMX-10 VOA This was based on the AMX-10PC command vehicle chassis and has been designed for use by artillery observers. Its crew of four consisted of a commander, observer, radio operator, and driver. The turret, which was manned by one or two men, was provided with equipment for day and night observation and local defence.

AMX-10 SOA The AMX-10 SOA was used for battlefield observation and artillery fire-control. It was essentially an AMX-10P with its Toucan II turret replaced by a new two-man turret armed with an externally-mounted 7.62 mm MG on the right side.

AMX-10 SAF This was also known as the AMX-10PC SAF and was used with the ATILA artillery FCS. It had a crew of five consisting of the radio operator, driver, two warrant officers, and one commanding officer.

AMX-10 TM This model towed a 120 mm TDA Model MO-120-RT-61 muzzle loaded rifled mortar, and carried 60 rounds of ammunition, for the mortar. The AMX-10 TM had a crew of six consisting of commander, aimer, artificer, loader, ammunition carrier and driver, and was fitted with a Toucan I turret.

AMX-10 SAT This was based on the AMX-10 PC command vehicle but had been modified internally to carry a gyrostabilised theodolite, a topographic survey theodolite, distance measuring equipment, and a navigation system.

AMX-10P with RATAC radar This had no turret and was fitted with a roof-mounted radar for field artillery fire (RATAC) pulse Doppler radar scanner. The vehicle had a crew of five: commander; radar operator; assistant radar operator; radio operator; driver. The radar had four operating modes: ground surveillance; acquisition and identification; angular deviation measurement; automatic tracking.

AMX-10P upgrade The AMX-10P ICV upgrade included the installation of a new passive armour package to the front, sides, rear, and hull top to provide an enhanced level of survivability. Other enhancements included a modified rear power-operated ramp, new torsion bars, and reinforced transmission. The original AMX-10P was fully amphibious, propelled in the water by two water-jets mounted one either side of the hull at the rear. These and the trim vane installed at the front of the hull were removed to save weight but the vehicle retained its fording capability.

System

Alternative Designation AMX-10 PAC 90

Date of Introduction 1979

Proliferation Indonesia, which placed an order for 34 vehicles, Singapore ordered 44

Manufacturer Nexter Systems

Function Fire Support Vehicle

Type Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)

Family AMX-10

Crew 3 ea

Passenger Capacity 4 ea

Dismounts 4 ea

Dimensions

Length 5.87 m

Width 2.83 m

Height 2.73 m

Weight, Combat 14.5 tons

Ground Pressure 0.56 kg/cm²

Ground Clearance 0.45 m

Track Width 425 mm

Track Length (on the ground) 2.93 m

Automotive

Engine Name Baudouin 6 F11 SRX

Engine Type V-8 Diesel

Engine Power 300 hp

Cruising Range 600 km

Speed, Maximum Road 65 km/h

Speed, Average Cross 40

Speed Maximum Swim 10 km/h

Gradient 60 %

Side Slope 30 %

Vertical Step 0.7 m

Trench 1.6 m

Fording Depth Amphibious

Fuel Capacity 518 liters

Propellers 2 each (305mm Diameter)

Emergency Pneumatic Engine Starter Yes

Water Exchanger Yes

Main Gun

System

Name GIAT CS-90F-4 90mm High Velocity Rifled Gun

Type 90 mm

Barrel Length 52 Calibers

Maximum Rate of Fire INA (32-36 rds/min)

Traverse Range 360 deg

Traverse Left 180 deg

Traverse Right 180 deg

Electric Traverse Yes, with two speed modes of 13 deg and 5 deg

Maximum Elevation +15 deg

Minimum Elevation -8 deg

Basic Load (Total) 10 x 90mm projectiles can be carried onboard with normally a combination of 12 HEAT and 8 HE

Ammo Compatible 90mm HE, HE long range, HEAT, smoke, and APFSDS Projectiles

Ammunition (Option 1)

Type HEAT

Caliber 90 mm

Muzzle Velocity INA

Maximum Firing Range 19 km

Basic Load 12 ea

Ammunition (Option 2)

Type HE

Caliber 90 mm

Muzzle Velocity INA

Maximum Firing Range 17.9 km

Basic Load 8 ea

Coaxial Weapon System

System

Name 1 x AA-52, 7.62mm Machine Gun

Type 7.62 mm

Manufacturer Manufacture d'armes de Saint-Étienne (MAS)

Max Rate of Fire 900 rds/min

Weight 9,970 kg

Length 1,080 mm

Barrel Length 600 mm

Action Lever-delayed blowback

Effective Firing Range 600 m

Maximum Firing Range 3,200 m

Feedd System Belt

Sights Iron Removable APX (SOM) telescopic sights IR scope

Ammunition

Type Rifle

Caliber 7.72 mm

Cartridge 7.5×54mm French, 7.62×51mm NATO

Muzzle Velocity 830 m/s

Basic Load 2,000 ea

Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM)

MILAN Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM)

Country France / Germany

Service 1972-present

Prolioferation thousands deployed by the French, German, Belgian, and Spanish armies, but Italy and soon India were assembling MILANs under license. All in all, the MILAN’s customer list has reached 41 countries and at least several non-state groups.

Range 2 km

Basic Load 10 ea

Armor Penetration 350 mm

Missile Length 918 mm

Missile Diameter 103 mm

Fin Span 267 mm

Missile Weight 6.73 kg

Total Weight with Launcher 24 kg

Warhead Weight 2.7 kg

Warhead Type High Explosive

Guidance System Wire-Guided

Note The iconic MILAN is the most successful Western European anti-tank missile ever made and is only surpassed by the BGM-71 TOW when it comes to international customers.

Fire Control

Name INA

Computerized FCS Yes

Thermal Sight Vehicle Commander Yes, The commander has seven day (three M556 and four M554) periscopes

Thermal Sight Gunner Yes, the gunner five (three M556 and two M554). Also a M563 telescopic sight

Main Gun Stabilization Non-stabilized

Periscopes 4 ea

Protection

Hull Armor welded from aluminum armor plates, which protect the vehicle from 14.5mm rounds

Turret Armor New Dragar Turret.

Applique Armor Available

Explosive Reactive Armor Available

Active Protection System INA

Mine Clearing No

Self-Entrenching Blade No

NBC Protection Yes

Smoke Equipment Two 80 mm smoke grenade dischargers

IR Signature INA

Anti-Corrosion Lining Yes

Image Sources

Notes https://en.topwar.ru/12321-mashina-ognevoy-podderzhki-bmp-amx-10-pac-90.html;