AMX-30 Bridge
The AMX-30 Bridge is a French bridge-laying engineering vehicle based on the AMX-30 tank chassis.[1]
| AMX-30 Bridge | |
|---|---|
| Type | Armoured vehicle-launched bridge |
| Place of origin | France |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 42.5 metric tons (94,000 lb) |
| Length | 11.40 m (with bridge) |
| Width | 3.95 m (with bridge) |
| Height | 4.29 m (with bridge) |
| Crew | 3 |
| Armor | 80 mm (3.14 in) |
| Engine | Hispano-Suiza HS-110 12 cylinder 700 hp (522 kW) |
| Power/weight | 16.5 hp/ton |
| Suspension | torsion bar |
Operational range | 600 km (373 miles) |
| Maximum speed | 50 km/h (31.1 mph) |
Design
The chassis of this variant is almost identical to the AMX-30. Instead of the turret, a scissors bridge is laid hydraulically over the rear of the vehicle. Deployment and retraction time of the bridge is about 5 minutes, and has a span of 20 meters.[2] The bridge is erected vertically, and can therefore be easily seen by enemy forces.[1]
Night vision optics and NBC (nuclear, biological and chemical) defense systems are standard fittings.[1]
History
The AMX-30 was manufactured by Nexter. The first prototype of the AMX-30 Bridge was built in the mid 60s, but production did not start until the mid 70s.[1]
It was intended to be used in tandem with the AMX-30, having no armament of its own.[1] It was not used by the French Army; 12 vehicles are in use by the Saudi Arabian Army.
References
- Trewhitt, Philip (1999). Armoured Fighting Vehicles. Dempsey-Parr. p. 230. ISBN 1-84084-328-4.
- Tanks and armored fighting vehicles : visual encyclopedia. New York, N.Y.: Chartwell Books. 2012. p. 337. ISBN 9780785829263. OCLC 785874088.