AMX-40 Avant-Série (AVS) - First attempt with automatic loading on AMX-40 pre-production

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  • AVS1 (P01)
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AMX-40 Avant-Série (AVS) - First attempt with automatic loading on AMX-40 pre-production


Hello everyone, in this suggestion, I will introduce the AMX-40 Avant-Série (AVS) tank in detail. This is actually the final evolution of the AMX-40 with many significant upgrades.

I have collected a lot of reference materials and will explain the development of the AMX-40 AVS below, with enough pictures to illustrate the differences between the two AVS vehicles.


History:

As mentioned in another suggestion thread, the AMX-40 was originally aimed for export markets, for example, to those countries that do not wish to procure such a sophisticated and expensive tank as the EPC, or indeed are not able to wait until the mid-1990s when the EPC may be available for export.

However, before the introduction of the EPC by the French Army in the early 1980s, there were some reports that the French Army could purchase a number of AMX-40s for training purposes, which is slight possibility.

Meanwhile, the first four prototypes of the AMX-40 built by GIAT in 1983-1985 were being tested and evaluated in France by the Section Technique de l’Armée de Terre (STAT).

In January 1985, mobility tests at Valdahon showed that the 800/850 hp 520-V12 engine in the CH1 chassis was not powerful enough to propel the AMX-40 up to a mass of 43t.

Firing tests on the move were then conducted at Mailly in May and December, during which the AMX-40’s controls showed ergonomics and overall performance to be satisfactory, but the rearward placement of ammunitions in the turret bustle resulted in a slow rate of fire.

Also in June 1985, the AMX-40 prototype with the T3 turret was used for a series of dynamic and firing demonstrations at the Suippes range, where night firing demonstrated the excellent observation capabilities of the new CASTOR thermal camera.

From January to March 1986, the AMX-40 prototype was evaluated by STAT crews at Canjuers, which showed that the assisted loading device was essential; the gunner’s telescopic sight lacked stabilized aiming on the move at the firing position; and the AMX-30 type single-pin track had reached its limits.

At this time, the GIAT’s Direction de Projet 30 tonnes (DP 30) wanted to launch series production of the AMX-40 tank quickly. They therefore considered manufacturing 17 Avant-Série (AVS, for pre-production) tanks in the Atelier de Construction Roanne (ARE), in order to constitute a complete operational squadron that could be delivered quickly to the first export customer.

For budgetary reasons, and reassessing the industrial risks of production without a customer, the AMX-40 Avant-Série was reduced to two examples, AVS1 and AVS2, with number named P01 and P02. Both P01 and P02 were completed by ARE by the end of 1986. The two production vehicles of the AMX-40 AVS incorporated all the modifications and improvements requested by the user and STAT.

Main improvements of the AMX-40 AVS were such as the installation of the new ESM 500 transmission manufactured by SESM; the removal of the internal NBC package on the right side of the turret bustle and moving it to the left rear of the turret externally; the addition of a roof-mounted meteorological sensor as standard; and most importantly, the rear bustle was upgraded with an ammunition conveyor belt device with 12 forward-facing rounds that could be automatically loaded into the gun breech. This replaced a 4-round normal rack plus a 5-round drum.

Although GIAT planned to prepare experiments with AMX-40 AVS in the Arabian Peninsula in the summer of 1987, this never happened.

At the Satory XI exhibition in June 1987, GIAT and STAT crews presented the AMX-40 AVS P02 vehicle at the Suippes range and conducted a series of dynamic and firing demonstrations. During the demonstrations, the AMX-40 AVS successfully hit a fixed target at 2,800 meters while moving.

At the end of May 1988, STAT and the French Army publicly displayed the AMX-40 AVS P01 vehicle at a training ground near Lens and conducted a mobile demonstration to the public.

Nevertheless, the failure of the trial activities in Saudi Arabia in 1987 seriously frustrated the AMX-40’s export hopes. In the end, no foreign users purchased the AMX-40 AVS. The French Army decided to focus on the upcoming mass production of Leclerc tank instead of purchasing a small number of AMX-40 AVS for transition purposes.

Finally, in 1991, GIAT announced the cessation of AMX-40 sales, and donated all AMX-40 prototypes and AVS vehicles to the Musée des Blindés in Saumur the following year.

Gallery


AMX-40 (P1) prototype was evaluated in France by the Section Technique de l’Armée de Terre (STAT)


AMX-40 (P2) prototype undergoing firing tests in France




An AMX-40 prototype (T3 turret) performs dynamic and firing demonstrations at Suippes in 1985



AMX-40 prototype P3 (CH3+T3) was evaluated by STAT at Canjuers in 1986


The first AMX-40 AVS vehicle (AVS1), P01, was built in 1986 with registration number 9864-0001.


The AVS included most of the improvements that STAT had previously requested for the AMX-40, such as new COSTAC with enhanced stabilization and sensor. Note that AVS1 has add-on armor plates added to the mantlet.


The T01 turret of the AMX-40 AVS1. Note the addition of a guard in front of the GALIX launchers and the modification of the baskets on the sides of the turret.


The AMX-40 AVS is fitted with new conveyor belt for turret ammo racks, so the NBC compartment has been moved to the left rear exterior of the turret. Note the external ammo reloading door next to it.


As part of the AMX-40 AVS improvements, a new meteorological sensor was added to the rear roof of the turret.


The second AMX-40 AVS vehicle (AVS2), P02, was also built by the end of 1986, with registration number 6864-0129.


The P02 of AMX-40 AVS on display at the Satory XI in June 1987.


The AMX-40 AVS (P02) at the Satory XI exhibition



The AMX-40 AVS (P02) performs a firing demonstration at the Suippes range in 1987


The AMX-40 AVS (P01) conducted a mobile demonstration at Lens in May 1988





All AMX-40 AVS vehicles and the remaining AMX-40 prototypes were donated to the Saumur Museum in 1992. The photos show an an AMX-40 AVS (C02+T02) and an AMX-40 (CH4+T01)



An AMX-40 prototype (CH4+T01) preserved at the Saumur Museum




Another AMX-40 AVS (C01+T3) vehicle preserved at the Saumur Museum. Note that the C01 hull has a dozer blade installed on the front.


Currently only the P02 vehicle of AMX-40 AVS is on display to the public at the Musée des Blindés in Saumur.



Differences between the hulls (C01/C02) of AMX-40 AVS, note the different design of grilles.


Overall:

The layout of the AMX-40 AVS is similar to the AMX-40’s with the driver’s compartment at the front, turret in the center and engine and transmission at the rear.

The AMX-40 AVS has a three-man turret with the crew located in classic positions within the turret basket with the commander sitting on the right side and the gunner forward and below him, and the loader’s station on the left. The right side of the bustle contains an NBC pack. The driver sits on the left of the hull and has a single-piece hatch cover and three forward facing periscopes.

The AMX-40 AVS weighs 43.7 tons. The chassis is the same as AMX-40, with six torsion bars and six pairs of road wheels on each side. The road wheels, idlers, sprockets and tracks were directly derived from those employed on the AMX-30 series. It had an all-welded hull with a much larger engine compartment than previous designs.

Mobility:

On the road, the AMX-40 AVS can hit 70 km/h (a peak speed of over 75 km/h during testing); cross country, its maximum speed on optimum terrain is 60 km/h (up to 66 km/h during testing). Cross-country cruising speed, which can vary with terrain, averages 30 to 45 km/h.

The AMX-40 AVS is powered by a supercharged, water-cooled, V12X-1300 T6 diesel engine manufactured by UNI Diesel. A twin-turbocharged version of Poyaud’s V12X S25 (later designated UD V12X-1100 T5), the UD V12X-1300 T6 engine develops 1,300 hp (955 kW) at 2,500 rpm, giving the AMX-40 a high power-to-weight ratio of 30 hp/ton.

The engine’s air-admission line is fitted with an auxiliary burner to make sure the tank can start even in very cold weather. In emergencies, the engine can also be started by towing the tank no faster than 15 km/h with the second gear engaged.

Transmission and steering are provided by a SESM’s ESM 500, whose gearbox has five forward and two reverse ratios complete with a two-phase single-stage hydrodynamic torque converter with a lock-up clutch. ESM 500 embodies a double-differential steering system with an infinitely variable hydrostatic steering drive, which provides very short response times permitting tight, fast cornering at any speed. The hydrodynamic retarder is located on the output side of the gearbox and can greatly reduce the work of the brakes.

The suspension system is of the torsion bar type with six road wheels, idler at the front, drive sprocket at the rear and track return rollers. The front two road wheel stations have improved Messier dampers. The tracks can be installed with AMX-30 type single pin tracks, or new Diehl double pin tracks.

FCS:

The AMX-40 AVS is fitted with the integrated COSTAC fire-control system also fitted in the AMX-32. The COSTAC (Conduite de Tir Stabilisée Automatique pour Char) is an automatic stabilized fire control equipment designed to provide crews with facilities for: observation whilst on the move; operation of the fire control on the move; firing on the move. It has been developed by the Etablissement d’Armement AMX-APX in collaboration with the Ateliers de Construction de Tarbes.

The tank commander has a SFIM M527 gyrostabilized, panoramic sight with two magnifications of x2 and x8 in daylight and a magnification of x3.5 over an effective range of 400 meters at night. The M527 sight reticle displays information regarding the direction in which the tank is traveling and the gun is pointing, the wind speed, telemetered range and a pilot light indicating that the gun is loaded and a firing sequence is possible.

A target at medium to long range can be acquired by the commander and designated to the gunner with the shortest possible delay. Once his vehicle has stopped, the gunner is in a position to engage the target with a high degree of accuracy. The M527 sight also allows the commander to designate a target to his gunner and then to acquire a second target. The AMX-40 AVS also has a fixed TOP 7 VS commander’s cupola, with eight wide field M593 periscopes mounted on the cupola providing direct panoramic observation. A roof-mounted M496 telescope with a magnification of x8 can be used in the event of battle damage to the M527 panoramic sight.

The gunner has an M581 monocular sight with a magnification of x10. Its principal components consist of an M544 telescopic sight which is combined with an M579 electronic control system and an M421 optical module containing the computer-controlled graticule. The electronic unit and the optical module forma neat, compact assembly with the sight which also contains a laser rangefinder. The laser is designated APX M550 and is made by CILAS. It is of the neodymium type and can be used to range to 10,000 m with an accuracy of ±5 m. If it registers two echos it is made to display the second. As part of AMX-40 AVS improvements, the gunner’s M581 sight is fitted with an electronic fine image stabilization device that permits target acquisition in a thermal mode with the tank in motion.

A gyrometer allows the angular speed of a target to be accurately measured allowing lead angles on moving targets to be precisely computed. Therefore, the gyrometer can constantly introduce fire correction possibilities, improving the first-shot kill probability. The M579 module generates fire-control parameter corrections, taking into account external temperatures, wind velocities, barometric pressure, the type of projectile employed and target motion.

The CASTOR thermal imaging camera manufactured by TRT is installed inside the right side of the AMX-40 mantlet. It is totally passive and undetectable, and can achieve 24-hour target detection and acquisition under all conditions of daylight, poor visibility and at night. The CASTOR is based on three modules - an optical unit with its lens and protecting window, an electronic unit and a control unit all developed by SAT for the SMT common modular thermal system. The optical unit of CASTOR utilize the wide-angle field of view (WFOV) to search the scenery and the narrow angle (NFOV) mode to identify the target of interest. It operates in the 8–12μm waveband region with the thermal radiation from the target being detected by a cooled HgCdTe photovoltaic assembly, serial-parallel scanned and then converted into a visible TV processed image for display on the crew’s monitor screens.

According to GIAT the first round hit probability against stationary and moving targets at a range of 2000 meters is 90% and a complete firing engagement takes less then eight seconds.

Firepower:

Main armament of the AMX-40 AVS is a 120mm CN 120 G1 semiautomatic smoothbore gun designed by the EFAB of Bourges, which is chromium plated and operates a vertical sliding wedge breechblock. The gun can fire fixed ammunition with a combustible cartridge case.

The main ammunition is the 120mm APFSDS round (designated OFL 120 G1) that has a muzzle velocity of 1,650 m/s and is capable of penetrating 420mm of armor at 2,000 meters. In addition, the OCC 120mm HEAT multi-purpose rounds have a muzzle velocity of 1,080 m/s.

The AMX-40 AVS can carry a total of 40 main rounds. Up to 21 rounds are stowed in the forward right section of the hull, and up to 19 rounds are stowed in the turret. 17 of these are in the left side of the bustle behind a blast-proof bulkhead. Of these, 12 rounds are stowed in an ammunition conveyor belt device, and the remaining 5 rounds are in the drum on the left side. One round is stored in the crew compartment in a standby station, and the 19th round is loaded.

The AMX-40 AVS turret is upgraded with a new ammunition conveyor belt that carries 12 rounds forward for immediate use, which can be automatically loaded into the gun breech. To refill the ammunition conveyor, the crew needs to reload from an external reloading door on the right rear of the turret. The ammunition conveyor belt significantly increases the rate of fire. It’s said that the AMX-40 AVS can be loaded and fired repeatedly within 6 seconds.

The AMX-40 AVS also has a 20mm CN-MIT 20 F2 automatic gun made by GIAT, which calls it M693, with an effective range of up to 1,000 meters against moving and stationary light armored vehicles can be engaged. The effective range against ground forces is 1,200 meters, and neutralization fire can be laid down out to 2,000 meters. The F2 gun can be elevated and depressed independently of the main gun between -7° and +40°, permitting fire against aircraft and helicopters.

A 7.62mm NF-1 machine gun with a white light searchlight is mounted on the right side of the commander’s cupola. Mounted either side of the forward part of the turret is the GALIX close-in defense system that employs smoke and antipersonnel grenades that can be fired out to a distance of 50 meters.

Protection:

The armor protection of AMX-40 AVS is a combination of conventional, spaced and composite types, with maximum protection being provided over the frontal arc.

The AMX-40 AVS uses a laminated composite box armor on the hull front, the mantlet and the front of the welded turret against infantry anti-tank weapons such as RPG-7 fired from any distance, as well as against the 100mm armor-piercing rounds. The spaced pre-armor plates on the sides protect it against 20mm guns or machine-guns to a caliber of 14.5mm.

The AMX-APX armor department, in cooperation with the CETAM (Centre technique de l’armement terrestre à Bourges), first developed new composite armor plate for the AMX-40 tank called PAC (Plaques Accélérées par Choc), a sandwich made of steel and non-metallic materials, such as plastic, glass, rubber, elastomers or nylon. In fact, this is what is known in English as “Non-Explosive Reactive Armor” (NERA).

Survivability is also enhanced by the provision of a blast wall between the crew and ready use ammunition in the turret bustle, blow-out panels above the ammunition, fire detection and suppression system for the fighting compartment, well shaped hull floor to provide protection against mines and hull escape hatch.

It’s worth noting that the AMX-40 AVS offers the additional armor upgrade. GIAT added an appliqué plate to the right side of the P01 vehicle’s mantlet to prevent small arms from damaging the optical equipment.



The cutaway of AMX-40 AVS

Gallery


AMX-40 AVS


The AMX-40 AVS powerpack consists of V12X-1300 and ESM 500


UD V12X-1300 T6 diesel engine


SESM ESM 500 transmission


Messier dampers for AMX-40 torsion bar suspension


Layout of the main elements for the COSTAC



SFIM M527 gyrostabilized panoramic sight


TOP 7 VS commander’s cupola


M496 commander’s telescope



Main components of APX M581 gunner’s sight


APX M550 laser rangefinder




TRT CASTOR thermal camera and its units


AMX-40’s primary armament CN 120 G1 and secondary CN-MIT 20 F2 cannon


GIAT’s 120mm OFL 120 G1 and OCC 120 G1 rounds for AMX-40


AMX-40 AVS’ main ammo racks and its conveyor belt device


External reloading door at the rear of the AMX-40 AVS turret.


It’s reported that the AMX-40 AVS tank (40 rounds on board) fitted with an ammunition conveyor belt can fire repeatedly in 6 seconds.


GALIX system on AMX-40 turret



The AMX-40 uses new composite box armor on the front of the hull, the front of the turret and the mantlet.

The AMX-40 hull structure revealed by GIAT at the Satory XI, note that an armored cavity in the front.


Why It should be in game:

As I mentioned in another suggestion, the current AMX-40 can be replaced by the correct AMX-40 P4 with ZF transmission. And the AMX-40 AVS would be perfect as a French equivalent of Leopard PT-16/T14 to the France tech tree.

To save time, the existing game model (AVS2) that was replaced could be directly reintroduced as the AMX-40 AVS. But if better armor is desired, we can add the P01 version of the AMX-40 AVS.


Spefications:

AMX-40 Avant-Série (AVS)

Crew: 4

Combat Weight: 43.7 tonnes

Lengtht gun forward: 10.04 m
Lengtht hull: 6.80 m
Width with side skirts: 3.36 m
Width without side skirts: 3.28 m
Track width: 0.57 m
Height to turret roof: 2.38 m
Height to panoramic sight: 3.1 m
Ground clearance: 0.45 m
Trench: 3.2 m
Gradient: 70%
Side slope: 30%
Fording without preparation: 1.3 m
Deep fording: 2.3 m

Engine: UNI Diesel V12X-1300 T6 diesel engine developing 1,300 hp at 2,500 rpm

Transmission: SESM ESM 500, automatic type

  • Gear: 5 forward, 2 reverse
  • Steering: hydrostatic

Speed:

  • Road: 70 km/h (max over 75 km/h)
  • Average Terrain: 60 km/h (max over 66 km/h)
  • Cross-country: 45 km/h

Power/Weight Ratio: 30 hp/tonne

Suspension: torsion bar

Armament:

  • Primary: 1x 120mm CN 120 G1 smoothbore gun (elevation: -7° to +20°)

  • Secondary:

    • 1x 20mm CN-MIT 20 F2 automatic cannon (elevation: -7° to +40°)
    • 1x 7.62mm NF-1 anti-aircraft machine gun (elevation: -10° to +45°)
  • Ammunition:

    • 120mm: 40 rounds (19 in turret)
    • 20mm: 500 rounds
    • 7.62mm: 2150 rounds
  • Loading: automatic, with ammunition conveyor belt; manual 5-round drum as a backup

    • Rate of Fire: 6 seconds for repeat firing (10 rds/min) for first 12 rounds; after which it degrades to manual operation

Armor:

  • NERA type composite box armor, spaced pre-armor

Additional Equipment

  • SFIM M527 commander’s panoramic sight

    • Gyro-stabilized
    • Day/Night
    • Magnification: x2-x8 (day) / x3.5 (night)
  • APX M581 gunner’s monocular sight

    • Telescope type
    • Laser rangefinder
    • Magnification: x10
  • TRT CASTOR thermal camera

    • SMT first generation common module
    • FoV: 6° X 9° (WFoV) / 2.7° X 4° (NFoV)
  • Gun stabilization to be slaved by COSTAC

  • 2 x 6 GALIX launchers


Sources:

AMX-40 info plate at the Musée des Blindés

Musée des Blindés’s Post

AMX 40, Édité par SOFRESA, Mai 83, France






AMX 40 -- GIAT, Edition SOFRESA, Nov. 84, France
















GIAT AMX 40, Édité par SOFRESA, Nov. 1983, Union de publicité et d'édition - Paris


GIAT AMX 40, Édité par SOFRESA, Avril 1985, Union de publicité et d'édition - Paris


LE CHAR AMX 40/THE GIAT'S AMX 40, Revue Internationale de Stratégie - PROFIL








R. M. Ogorkiewicz, “Stabilized Tank Gun Controls,” International Defense Review, Vol. 11, No. 5/1978, p. 727

“GIAT AMX 40,” (Special Supplement) Journal of Defense & Diplomacy, Vol. 5, No. 5, May 1987, pp. I-X









Marc Chassillan, “Le Char Français AMX 40,” RAIDS Hors-Série, N° 29 - Les Chars de Combat en Action Tome 4, pp. 52-59








Marc Chassillan, Encyclopédie des Chars de Combat Modernes: Tome 1, pp. 42-49








Marc Chassillan, “La Protection Balistique des Chars Modernes,” Trucks & Tanks Magazine, No. 66, Mars/Avril 2018, pp. 75-76


Marc Chassillan, Survavibilité - Les blindage du char Leclerc, Char Leclerc - de la guerre froide aux conflits de demain, Sophia Editions



M.P. Robinson, AMX-30: Char de Bataille 1966-2006 Vol. II (Photosniper), pp. 19-21



M.P. Robinson, Char Leclerc (Photosniper), p. 5

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AMX-30 - L'Excellence à la Française, Collections - Chars de Combat & Engins Blindés n°9, pp. 26-27


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France Historical AFV Register: Armored Fighting Vehicles Preserved in France, Updated 24 July 2016, p. 76

France_AFVs.pdf

AMX 40, Satory IX : Exposition de Matériels d'Armement Terrestre, Tome 2 - Mobilité, pp 6, 120


(Thanks and credit to Mulatu_Astatke)

AMX 40, Satory X : Exposition de Matériels d'Armement Terrestre, Tome 2 - Mobilité, p 2-10

AMX 40, Satory XI : Exposition de Matériels d'Armement Terrestre, Tome 2 - Mobilité, p 2-14

Michel Barras, Histoire de l'Arsenal de Roanne, pp. 261-262


L’association des Amis du Patrimoine de l’Armement de Bourges, De la Fonderie Impériale à Nexter Systems; 150 ans d’histoire armurière à Bourges, pp. 201-202


L’association des Amis du Patrimoine de l’Armement de Bourges, De l'Ecole centrale de pyrotechnie à Nexter Munitions; 200 ans d'histoire munitionnaire, pp. 239-240


Societe Academique des Hautes-Pyrenees, L'Arsenal de Tarbes: Histoire et Patrimoine, pp. 207-208


J. Mallet, “AMX-40,” Gazette des Armes, N° 122, Octobre 1983, p. 41

S. Ciejka, “SATORY X,” Gazette des Armes, N° 144, Aout 1985, pp. 38-39


“Satory 1985,” Armes International, N°21, Juillet 1985, pp. 14-15


André Blot, “L'AMX 40, dernier ne du Giat: un char de bataille pour les années 90,” Héraclès: Revue internationale d'armement, N° 21, Mars-Avril 1984, pp. 33-35




(Thanks and credit to War Diary)

André Cholet, “Ma Nuit a Suippes,” Héraclès: Revue internationale d'armement, N° 30, Septembre-Octobre 1985, p. 8

J. G. , “GIAT: De l'AMX 40 au FAMAS,” Héraclès: Revue internationale d'armement, N° 30, Septembre-Octobre 1985, p. 30

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(Thanks and credit to War Diary)

André Blot, “The AMX 40, latest addition to the GIAT rang; a battle tank for the '90s,” Heracles: International Armament News, N° 21, March-April 1984, pp. 33-35



André Cholet, “My Night at Suippes,” Heracles: International Armament News, N° 30, September-October 1985, p. 8

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“Satory XI : Engins blindés - mobilité; AMX 40,” Armée & Défense, Vol. 66, 1987, No.9/10, p. 25

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“Dossiers: SATORY X avant première -- GIAT export d'abord,” Défense & Armement, N° 42, Juin 1985, pp. 22-23


P.-H. Mercillon, “Dossiers: Compte-rendu Satory X -- Le Char Futur français était présent à Satory,” Défense & Armement, N° 44, Octobre 1985, pp. 24-26, 32




Patrick Mercillon, “Le Futur Char Francais S'appelera L'AMX Leclerc,” Défense & Armement, N° 49, Mars 1986, pp. 30-31


Le Général (CR) jean Girodet, “Traditions et techniques de pointe: L'ATELIER DE CONSTRUCTION DE TARBES,” Défense & Armement, N° 54, Septembre 1986, p. 23

Patrick Mercillon, “L'AMX 40: Compte-rendu d'essais,” Défense & Armement Heracles International, N° 56, Novembre 1986, pp. 20-21


Michel Saint Sétiers, “LE SYSTÈME « LECLERC »: le char d'assaut de l'An 2000,” Défense & Armement Heracles International, N° 60, Mars 1987, p. 33

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“SATORY X,” Journal of Defense & Diplomacy, Vol. 3, No. 8, August 1985, pp. 23-24


Will Fowler, “AMX-40 -- a new French main battle tank,” DEFENCE, Vol. XIV, No. 10, October 1983, pp. 617, 620-621




(Thanks and credit to Rage)

Christopher F. Foss, “GIAT taking French MBT programme into the 1990s,” Jane's Defence Weekly, Vol.4, No. 8, 24 August 1985, pp.354-358




THE WEEK -- Tough desert for French AMX-40, tests Jane's Defence Weekly, Vol.7, No. 4, 31 January 1987, p. 138


International Defense Review, Vol. 16, No. 5/1983, p. 547

D.H.C. Jenkins, “Diesels for Armoured Vehicles from SSCM,” International Defense Review, Vol. 16, No. 5/1983, p. 627

“Satory IX -- in the shadow of economic storm clouds,” International Defense Review, Vol. 16, No. 8/1983, pp. 1115-1116, 1118



Gérard Turbé, “Autoloading in Tanks -- The French View,” International Defense Review, Vol. 17, No. 7/1984, pp. 916-917


“SATORY X -- not much to shout about,” International Defense Review, Vol. 18, No. 8/1985, p. 1299

“SATORY XI - collaborative programs show through,” International Defense Review, Vol. 18, No. 8/1985, p. 1240, 1244


R.M. Ogorkiewicz, “New ZF tank transmissions,” International Defense Review, Vol. 21, No. 9/1988, pp. 1171-1172


Gérard Turbé, “Future French transmissions for AFVs,” International Defense Review, Vol. 21, No. 5/1988, p.537-538


“Satory 1987--Show Window for French Army Armament”, Military Technology, Vol. XI, No.9/87, September 1987, pp. 96-97


Cris Jenkins, Metamorphosis in Reverse -- Emerging Nations and their MBT Requirements, Military Technology, Vol. XII, No.7/88, July 1988, pp. 17-18


Hans Joachim Jung, “SATORY XI,” Soldat und Technik, Vol. 30, 1987, Nr.11, pp.682-683


Wolfgang Flume, “Satory 1987 --Schaufenster für französische Heereswaffen,” Wehrtechnik, September 1987, p. 61

Javier de Mazarrasa, “SATORY XI,” Ejército - Revista de las Armas y Servicios, Vol. XLVIII, No. 573, Octubre 1987, pp. 77-78


Army Ministry, ENGESA Optimistic About Osorio Sale to Saudis, O GLOBO, 31 Oct 87

“Problèmes de Chars,” L'Express, Numéros 1901, Dec 1987

“Le char français AMX-40 n'est pas retenu par les Saoudiens pour moderniser leur corps blindé,” Le Monde, 09 Février 1988

French Defence Equipment Export Catalogue, 1984, p. 55, 57


Ronald T. Pretty, Jane's Weapon Systems 1981-82; Twelfth edition, p. 238

Ronald T. Pretty, Jane's Weapon Systems 1985-1986; Sixteenth edition, pp. 258, 778, 782, 784-785




Bernard Blake, Jane's Weapon Systems 1988-89; Nineteenth edition, pp. 66-67, 351, 354, 356-357






Tony Cullen & Christopher F. Foss, Jane's Armoured Fighting Vehicle Systems 1988-1989; First edition, pp.8, 183-185, 187, 189, 193, 417, 423









Christopher F. Foss, Jane's Main Battle Tanks; Second edition, 1986, pp. 15-17



Christopher F. Foss, Jane's Armour and Artillery 1983-84; Four edition, pp.5-6, 802, 946-947, 987-988







Christopher F. Foss, Jane's Armour and Artillery 1985-86; Sixth edition, pp.8-10



Christopher F. Foss, Jane's Armour and Artillery 1987-88; Eighth edition, pp.13-15, 876, 989-990







Christopher F. Foss, Jane's Armour and Artillery 1990-91; Eleventh edition, pp.21-23



Gorou Takami & T. Jimbo, AMX 40 MBT Debut at Satory of 1983, Monthly PANZER, October 1983, pp. 18-21, 36-38







Y. Debay, Vehicules Francaises dans Satory 1987, Monthly PANZER, June 1988, pp. 22-23


SATORY'85 (part 1), The Tank Magazine, October 1985, pp. 10-11


SATORY'87 (part 1), The Tank Magazine, October 1987, pp. 12-15


Iwao Futatsugi, AMX-40 (part 1), The Tank Magazine, January 1988, pp. 52-55




Iwao Futatsugi, AMX-40 (part 2), The Tank Magazine, February 1988, pp. 52-55




Thomas Laber, AMX-40 detail up (part 1), The Tank Magazine, January 1989, pp. 13-18






Thomas Laber, AMX-40 detail up (part 2), The Tank Magazine, February 1989, pp. 15-18




SATORY XI, Defense Technology Monthly, No. 36, August 1987, p. 1, 11

SATORY XI (Part Two), Defense Technology Monthly, No. 37, September 1987, pp. 7-8


11 Likes

Nice suggestion post but I don’t think you need to link the entire French military library; anyways, if this has stabilizer I’m fine with it. Jokes apart, it should be a nice vehicle to be added, French Tech tree deserves more 9.7 vehicles.

1 Like

extremely well detailed suggestion, but the main point of the vehicle is it’s auto-loader. What is the reload time, 5sec, 6 second? I can’t find it anywhere.

1 Like

I think I did mention that in my suggestion post.

4 Likes

not here though. If you can add it there, it’s perfect.

Thanks for your feedback, I will add it to the specs

1 Like

Does that apply for all 12 + 5 rounds in the turret?

I think both could work for the game, one as a TT and other as a premium. Let the AMX 30 Super and VBCL-2 have some rest from the store ☺️

Only the 12-round conveyor belt is automatically loaded forward, and the 5-round drum magazine is manually loaded like the AMX-40 prototype.

2 Likes

+1 altough I don’t think it should be a premium, mainly because France has little options at 9.7 GRB, and the AMX-40 is the only one that can actually take some hits from autocannons.

This should be added in a folder with the current AMX-40, which should be changed to the ZF transmission one, and the current AMX-40 can be made into a premium or some other prototype.

Love the look of the AMX-40 and would love to see more.