French OOB

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

We had this discussion last Feb. the background for it actually dealt with the updated armor (ERA) pkg. JANE'S reported on for the CM-11 "BRAVE TIGER" from Taiwan on Page 33 of the MBT Thread. This discussion continued on concerning the French AMX-30 B2 on Page 34 Post #331 also in the MBT Thread it covers part of what is being discussed here and made up the "decision tree" for the later models. You will note that the reference used is a French affiliated military source (And there are great pictures of the tanks shown in active storage/maintenance.), which I've re-posted below. There just was a lot of anecdotal evidence to support the 2010 date as noted in my post and beyond to support that date was due to LECLERC issues and the tanks being in active service with Force d' Action Rapide (FAR). This is well worth while to read or refresh memories. The tables cover armor thickness, ERA armor equivalent (400mm), weapons, ammo types and loads etc. etc.
http://www.flanderstechsupply.com/im...esentation.pdf

As CINCLANTHOME has said many times "I have a large data storage unit inside my head." Another reason I needed break besides all the life issues.

I had other sources but as my work never developed this year as posted already, they didn't transition to my new computer as I had hoped-a learning curve thing for me and there where casualties allow the way. Anyway...

Hopefully this will help some.

Regards,
Pat

[MarkSheppard]

AMX-30 Family by M.P. Robinson (aka Char de Battaille Volume III) has this data on AUF-1 (I'll do the Roland and DCA stuff another night).

AUF-1 Due to foreign orders from Saudi Arabia diverting production, the AUF-1 didn't enter service in the French army until early 1982 in the 61e Regiment d'Artillerie. When the new AUF-1T came around in 1990; the AUF-1 was redesignated the AUF-1H; and it remained in service until 2006.

AUF-1T This entered service in 1990; the T standing for either turbine or a shortened version of the acronym CTI (Conduite de Tir Inertiel). The big changes were a microturbine to provide the extra power needed by the new systems and the CTI system which acted as an all-inertial version of GPS that allowed a unit to rapidly deploy and disperse; yet retain tight synchronized fire control (e.g. precise TOT barriages).

AUF-1TM Entered service around 1995 in just the 40e Regiment d'Artillerie; the designation was for Tourelle Modex (experimental module turret). Basically it incorporated the new ATLAS fire control system. You can only tell a AUF-1T from a AUF-1TM via counting antennas at a distance.

French DoD Webpage on ATLAS (in French)

AUF-1TA 104 units were produced using remanufactured AMX-30B2 hulls with remanufactured AUF-1 turrets; with the first being delivered in 2004; with final deliveries in 2008.

AUF-2 The remanufacture of 70 existing AUF-1 turrets as AUF-2 turrets with 155mm L52 guns and the full ATLAS system was approved in 2003; but later cancelled around 2004-05 and the Nexter CAESAR was procured instead. Part of this may have been that the AUF-2 turret alone weighed 19 tons (compared to 28 tons for a full up basic M109's 28 tons). It would have offered a 42 km range, 10 RPM, and Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact.