AMX 10 RC - Design and Characteristics

Design and Characteristics

Initial work on the AMX-10RC began in 1970; production began in 1976, and the first production vehicle was delivered in 1981 to the 2nd Regiment de Hussards in Sourdun. The vehicle features a powerful GIAT 105 mm gun mounted in a welded aluminium turret. The turret also serves to house three crew members, while the driver sits in the front of the hull; the COTAC fire control system is provided for gun aiming. All six wheels are driven, and the AMX-10RC uses skid steering to turn the hull.

The 105 mm gun fires four types of ammunition: APFSDS, HE, HEAT and smoke. The APFSDS uses the penetrator from the GIAT 90 mm APFSDS round, and is capable of penetrating a NATO triple heavy tank target at a range of 2,000 metres.

The AMX-10RC has been the recipient of numerous upgrades over its lifetime. Newer systems include battlefield-management system terminals, most notably. For its part in the 1991 Gulf War, the AMX-10RC was provided with extra add-on armour and anti-tank missile decoy systems. One improvement considered was the installation of a NATO 105 mm gun, as the GIAT model was not compatible with NATO munitions, but this was ultimately not done. Thermal imaging systems have also been installed, using units taken from decommissioned AMX-30B2 MBTs. A central tire-inflation system is available for added traction over soft terrain. The AMX-10RC is equipped with an NBC (Nuclear/Biological/Chemical) protection system and may conduct reconnaissance in a radioactive environment.

The AMX-10RC is no longer in production by GIAT.