Self-propelled artillery mount AMX AuF1 (France)
AMX AuF1 of one of the French units in a joint exercise. Photo by the US Department of Defense
In the eighties, the latest self-propelled artillery unit AMX AuF1 entered service with the French ground forces. Equipment of this type was built in large enough quantities, which allowed it to become the basis of French ground artillery for many years. To date, this role has passed to newer combat vehicles, but the old self-propelled guns remain in service, and so far they have not been abandoned.
New generation
The decision to develop a new self-propelled gun with a 155-mm gun was made in the late sixties. With the help of such a machine, in the foreseeable future, they were going to replace the aging F3 self-propelled guns. The latter were equipped with an old 155-mm howitzer and could only fire at 18-20 km, which was already considered insufficient. In addition, they used the outdated tank chassis AMX-13.
In 1969-70. the army, together with leading industrial enterprises, worked out the appearance of a new generation of self-propelled guns and determined the requirements for it. In addition to a general increase in performance compared to the existing model, mobility was required at the level of existing tanks, a high rate of fire with any ammunition, the ability to fire in any direction without restrictions, as well as protection of the crew from bullets / shrapnel and weapons mass destruction.
According to one of the requirements, the project received the working designation GCT (Grande Cadence de Tir - "High rate of fire"). Later, when adopted, they introduced the name Automoteur modèle F1 (“Self-propelled gun, model F1”) or AuF1. The AMX AuF1 or AMX-30 AuF1 index has also become widespread, indicating the type of chassis chosen.
Armored vehicles of Saudi Arabia, 1992. Photo by the US Department of Defense
Initially, the project was created by Arsenal Bourget (EFAB) and Arsenal Roan (ARE), and in 1971 it was transferred to the newly created concern GIAT. The development of self-propelled guns and the construction of experimental equipment took just a couple of years. The first prototype of the GCT entered the range tests already in 1972. Test firing began the following year. Over the next few years, development and refinement of the design continued.
At this stage, eight experienced self-propelled guns were built with certain differences. Despite a number of major innovations, new features, etc., the prototypes showed high technical and combat characteristics, and also demonstrated sufficient reliability. In the middle of the decade, experimental machines went to the army to master and work out application issues.
Way to the troops
In 1976, the army and GIAT planned to sign the first contract for the serial production of new self-propelled guns. However, the military faced a lack of funding and the order had to be put on hold indefinitely. The manufacturing concern, in turn, began looking for a new buyer. Already in 1977, he received the first real order - Saudi Arabia wished to purchase 63 combat vehicles.
The first French order appeared only in the early eighties, and the finished equipment was delivered to the troops in 1983. Later, the army was able to order a fairly large number of self-propelled guns. So, up to and including 1988, 179 vehicles were purchased in the original configuration, and then the production of upgraded AuF1Ts began. Until 1992, 74 self-propelled guns were assembled according to the updated project. In addition, in the mid-nineties, France rebuilt 20 obsolete tanks into self-propelled guns.
Repair of self-propelled gun: the tower was removed from the chassis. Photo by Wikimedia Commons
In the early eighties, a second export contract was also obtained. This time, the equipment was bought by Iran, which at that time was at war with Iran. In 1983-85. sent him ok. 85 combat vehicles. At the turn of the eighties and nineties, Kuwait ordered 18 self-propelled guns. He received the finished equipment shortly after the end of the Gulf War and the liberation of the country.
In the nineties, GIAT tried to sell the AuF1 to India. Especially for her, prototypes of self-propelled guns of an unusual appearance were built and tested. They were made on the chassis of the T-72 and Arjun tanks using a standard French turret. Despite their best efforts, the Indian Army was not interested in such a proposal.
The production of AMX AuF1 self-propelled guns lasted about 15 years and during this time more than 400 units were produced. such a technique. The main customer - although not the starting one - was predictably France.
Self-propelled guns in service
The first serial AuF1 went to Saudi Arabia, where they are still in operation. Their service in the Arabian army is unremarkable. Equipment regularly participates in maneuvers, and also undergoes repairs. There is no reliable information about the combat use. At the same time, to date, the ACS fleet has been reduced to 60 units. The situation is similar with the Kuwaiti AuF1, but this country has retained all received self-propelled guns.
The stern hatches of the turret are open, the stowage of ammunition is visible. Photo Chars-francais.net
Iraq at one time ordered French self-propelled guns to make up for losses on the Iranian front. As far as is known, the received AuF1s were used in battles, received damage and suffered losses. However, a significant part of the self-propelled guns remained in service, incl. after repair. However, as far as is known, by 2003 even the remaining vehicles were out of order, and they were not used in the new war.
France actively used its self-propelled guns in training events. In addition, since the early nineties, AuF1 units have participated in military operations several times. Self-propelled guns were used in a peacekeeping mission in the Balkans and demonstrated their advantages over obsolete artillery. They were also deployed to other areas as part of certain operations, and this practice continues to this day.
As service continued, French AMX AuF1s were upgraded several times. The next major update was planned in the middle of the 1s, but it was abandoned. During this period, the new CAESAR self-propelled guns entered service with the French army, and the modernization of the AuFXNUMX was considered inappropriate. In addition, a plan was drawn up for the gradual replacement of old self-propelled guns with new ones.
By now, most of the AuF1s have left combat units and have given way to the new CAESARs. Some of the old cars were disposed of, the rest were sent for storage or to museums. Only 32 self-propelled guns remain in service. They plan to keep them until 2030, after which they will also be replaced with new wheelbase guns.
ACS AuF1 from the IFOR in Bosnia, 1995. Photo by Wikimedia Commons
Design features
The AMX AuF1 is a self-propelled artillery gun on a tracked chassis with a 155 mm gun in a full-rotation turret. Some of the units were taken from existing combat vehicles, while others were developed from scratch. As a result, it was possible to fulfill all the requirements of the customer and provide the necessary performance characteristics.
All production versions of the self-propelled guns were built on the chassis of the AMX-30 tank. The latter retained a standard armored hull with 80 mm thick forehead armor, a power plant based on a 680 hp diesel engine. and chassis with torsion bar suspension. The layout as a whole did not change - the tower was mounted on a regular shoulder strap. At the same time, the chassis was modernized several times. Engines and transmissions were replaced, an auxiliary power unit was mounted, various systems were finalized, etc.
For AuF1, an original large-sized turret and a characteristic box shape was developed. Under the protection of 20-mm armor, a swinging gun mount, an automatic loader, controls and three jobs for the commander, gunner and loader were placed.
Decommissioned self-propelled gun used by the peacekeeping forces, in the Museum of Saumur. Photo Tanks-encyclopedia.com
The self-propelled guns received a 155 mm GCT type rifled gun with a 39 klb barrel. The barrel was equipped with a two-chamber muzzle brake and a semi-automatic shutter. The gun was placed on advanced hydropneumatic recoil devices. Remotely controlled hydraulic actuators provided horizontal guidance by turning the turret and vertical guidance from +5° to +66°.
The gun uses separate loading shots with a modular propellant charge in a burning cap. In the aft part of the turret, stacks of an automatic loader for 42 shots were placed - 42 shells and 180 charge modules were placed in the cells, 6 for each shot. With the help of two conveyors and pushers, ammunition is automatically loaded into the barrel. Replenishment of ammunition is carried out through hatches in the aft wall of the tower.
The fire control system is distinguished by a certain simplicity. An optical sight for direct fire is provided. There is also a panoramic sight, an electro-optical goniometer, a navigation system and other devices for firing from closed positions. The gunner's console is equipped with aiming and firing controls. Reception of data for firing was carried out using a standard radio station. In recent upgrades, automated systems for the exchange of information and calculation of data for firing have been introduced.
ACS AuF1 can use a wide range of 155-mm projectiles. The main ones are high-explosive fragmentation ammunition of various types. The standard ammunition also included several smoke. When using a "normal" NATO-standard projectile, the firing range reaches 18 km. The use of the French OE 155 56/69 with improved aerodynamics allows you to shoot at 23,5 km. Also used is the OE F2 / LU111 product with a bottom generator that increases the range to 30 km.
Auxiliary weapons include a machine gun on the turret, normal caliber or large caliber. Spare machine gun belts are stored inside the turret. Smoke grenade launchers are located on the forehead of the tower.
Experienced self-propelled guns on the T-72 chassis. Photo Arms-expo.ru
The length of the AuF1 with the gun forward exceeds 10,2 m, the width is 3,15 m, the height is 3,25 m. The weight, depending on the modification, exceeds 42 tons. km / h, and is also able to move off-road and overcome obstacles. Power reserve - at least 30 km.
Several modifications of the ACS were developed. After the appearance of new versions, the basic sample received the designation AuF1 H. Accordingly, the first upgraded version was called AuF1 T. It differed from the basic version of the “T” with more advanced navigation tools that simplified binding to positions. A small series was built ACS AuF1 TM with the communication and control system ATLAS. The "TA" variant combined the turret of the "TM" version with an upgraded AMX-30B2 chassis. The last was the AuF2 project, which provided for the installation of a 155-mm gun with a barrel length of 52 klb. In the future, such weapons received self-propelled guns CAESAR.
Past and Future
At the time of its introduction, the AMX AuF1 ACS was one of the best examples of its class in the world. Due to the use of a number of important decisions, she showed high performance characteristics and could effectively solve all the proposed tasks. Despite delays and problems, the French army received such equipment, and with it the well-known advantages.
However, this was almost 40 years ago, and over the past years, AuF1 has become obsolete. Various upgrades, including the latest AuF2 project from the late nineties, generally did not solve this problem. As a result, the command decided to reduce the fleet of old tracked vehicles and switch to new wheeled CAESARs. However, AuF1 was not completely abandoned. Several dozen of these machines continue to serve and will remain in service for the foreseeable future.
Video: https://t.me/topwar_official/67934
Information