AMX-105 |
|
|---|---|
| Country | France |
| Role | Self-propelled howitzer |
| Production | 1950s |
| Built | 430+ |
The Mk 61 105 mm self-propelled howitzer was a French self-propelled artillery piece designed and built during the late 1950s for the French Army.
Source: AMX-105 on Wikipedia
| AMX-105 Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Photographer | David Lueck |
| Localisation | Unknow |
| Photos | 78 |
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Design Concept and Evolution
The AMX-105 was a self-propelled howitzer developed by France in the early 1950s. Built on the highly successful chassis of the AMX-13 light tank, it was designed to provide rapid, mobile artillery support to armored and motorized divisions. Unlike the AMX-13 tank which used an oscillating turret, the AMX-105 featured a large, fixed (non-rotating) superstructure or a semi-traversable turret to house its 105mm howitzer. It represented the French doctrine of high mobility and air-transportability, becoming a popular export to nations such as Israel, Morocco, and the Netherlands.
| Attribute | Standard Specification (AMX-105 Mk 61) |
|---|---|
| Role | Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) |
| Crew | 5 (Commander, Gunner, Driver, 2 Loaders) |
| Main Armament | 105 mm L/30 Howitzer |
| Secondary Armament | 7.5 mm or 7.62 mm AA Machine Gun |
| Ammunition Capacity | 56 rounds |
| Maximum Range | 15,000 meters (approx. 9.3 miles) |
| Combat Weight | 16.5 Tonnes |
| Max Road Speed | 60 km/h (37 mph) |
Firepower and Internal Systems
- The 105mm Gun: The primary weapon could fire a standard high-explosive (HE) shell weighing 16 kg. It featured a double-baffle muzzle brake to reduce the intense recoil on the light chassis.
- Elevation and Traverse: In the Mk 61 variant, the gun was mounted in a fixed superstructure with a limited manual traverse of 20 degrees to each side, and an elevation range from -4 to +70 degrees.
- Rate of Fire: A well-trained crew could achieve a sustained rate of fire of 8 rounds per minute, thanks to the spacious (relative to the light tank) interior compartment.
- Fire Control: Equipped with a panoramic telescope for indirect fire and a direct-fire sight for self-defense against tanks.
Mobility and Protection
- Chassis Sharing: By using the AMX-13 chassis, the French Army simplified logistics, as many engine and suspension parts were interchangeable with the light tank and APC versions.
- Armor: The vehicle was protected by welded steel armor up to 15mm thick, designed to protect the crew from small arms fire and shell splinters, but not against anti-tank weaponry.
- Engine: Powered by a SOFAM Model 8Gxb 8-cylinder water-cooled petrol engine producing 250 hp.
- Operational Range: It had a road range of approximately 350 km, allowing it to keep pace with rapid armored advances.
Variants and Export Success
- AMX-105 AM (Mk 61): The most common production version with a fixed superstructure.
- AMX-105 Turreted: An experimental variant featuring a fully rotating turret, though it was heavier and less stable during firing.
- Dutch Service: The Netherlands was a major user, modifying their versions with a longer 30-caliber barrel to increase range.
- Combat History: Used extensively by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) during the 1960s and 70s, where it was valued for its ability to traverse difficult desert terrain that bogged down heavier artillery.
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