Combat vehicles / Reconnaissance / AML
AML
General Facts
- TYPE
Reconnaissance vehicle - ORIGIN
France - NICKNAMES
AML-245 (early designation)
Eland (South African production) - DESIGNED
1950's - DESIGNER
Panhard - PRODUCTION
1960 - ? - PRODUCERS France - Panhard
South Africa - QUANTITY
Over 5.300 produced - UNIT COST
Unknown - CHARACTERISTICS
Good mobility
Very powerful armament
Low production costs
Parts interchangeability with M3
Limited armor protection
Non-stabilized armament
Introduction
The AML is a reconnaissance vehicle of French origin. It was developed in the 1950's to replace the British Ferret in French service. In line with French doctrine it is fitted with the most powerful armament the chassis is able to handle. This allows it to be used in a fire support role.
Layout
The AML uses a 4x4 chassis with sleek armored body with driver in the front, two man turret in the middle and engine at the rear. The design of the body, the bumper and the very large turret give the AML a distinctive look.
Firepower
The AML comes in two major versions. The AML-60 mounts a breech loaded mortar and secondary armament which may consist of two AAT-52 or MAG machine guns, a 12.7mm M2HB machine gun or a 20mm autocannon. The maximum range is 2.6 km. The AML-90 mounts a 90mm cannon and two 7.62mm machine guns. Additionally there are uncommon versions such as the variant with S530 anti-aircraft turret with twin 20mm autocannon and the AML-20 which uses a 20mm Ratel turret.
Protection
The steel armor provides protection against small arms fire all around. The AML is vulnerable to any heavier weapon and mines. An NBC system is lacking but smoke grenade launchers are fitted on the turret.
Mobility
The 4x4 chassis provides a good mobility on roads and in the field. A 90 hp petrol engine provides propulsion. Upgrades include more powerful diesel engines. The maximum road speed is 90 km/h.
Users
The AML was adopted in large quantities by the French forces and was exported in even larger quantities all around the world. Most of them ended up in Africa, with South Africa being the primary user in the world. The AML has been successfully used in many conflicts and has been known to have taken out T-55 tanks. In French service it was replaced by the ERC-90, but large quantities remain in service around the world.
AML-60
The AML-60 mounts a two man turret with 60mm breech loaded mortar which may be used both in the direct fire and indirect fire role.
AML 60-7: AML-60 with two machine guns as coaxial weapons. Options include the 7.5mm AAT-52, 7.62mm AAT-NF1 and 7.62mm MAG.
AML 60-12: AML-60 with 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun as coaxial weapon.
AML 60-20: AML-60 with 20mm autocannon as coaxial weapon.
AML 60-20 Serval: AML-60 with 7.62mm coaxial roof mounted machine gun and 20mm M693 or HS-820 autocannon on turret roof. Optionally a long range mortar with 5 km range is installed.
AML-90
The AML-90 is fitted with a two man turret mounting a 90mm cannon.
AML-90: Original model with H90 turret with 90mm F1 cannon, a coaxial machine gun and a roof mounted machine gun.
AML-90 Lynx: AML-90 with improved Lynx turret with 90mm F1 cannon, night vision equipment and laser range finder.
- Specifications:
- AML-90
| Type | Reconnaissance vehicle |
|---|---|
| Crew | 3 (commander, driver, gunner) |
| Length | 3.79 m (hull), 5.11 m (gun forward) |
| Width | 1.97 m |
| Height | 2.07 m (overall) |
| Ground clearance | 0.33 m |
| Weight | 5.5 t combat load |
| Ground pressure | ? |
| Wheelbase | Wheeled chassis, 4x4, 2.5 m wheelbase, 1.62 m track |
| Turn radius | 6 m |
| Engine | Panhard Model 4 HD 4-cylinder air-cooled petrol, 90 hp at 4.700 rpm |
| Power ratio | 16.4 hp/t |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Manual, 6 forward, 1 reverse |
| Speed | 90 km/h on road, 5.5 km/h reverse |
| Fuel | 156 L |
| Range | 600 km on road |
| Wall | 0.3 m |
| Trench | 0.8 m |
| Gradient | 60% gradient, 30% slope |
| Fording | 1.1 m |
| Armor | Steel, 8 to 12 mm |
| NBC equipment | Optional |
| Night vision | Optional |
|---|---|
| Smoke | 2x2 80mm smoke grenade dischargers |
| Remarks | - |
| Armament | 90mm D921 F1 cannon 7.62mm coaxial machine gun 7.62mm roof machine gun |
| Weapon1 | 90mm D921 F1 cannon 20 rounds -8 to +15° elevation, manual 360° traverse, manual non-stabilized |
| Weapon2 | 7.62mm coaxial machine gun elevation and traverse as main armament |
| Weapon3 | 7.62mm machine gun pintle mount at turret roof manual elevation and traverse non-stabilized |
| Weapon4 | - |
| Weapon5 | - |
| Weapon6 | - |
Eland
The Eland is the South African production model of the AML. It has been produced in both Eland 60 and Eland 90 models. Over time various upgrades were carried out.
AML-20
The AML-20 is an upgrade of the AML in Irish service. It mounts the complete turret of the Ratel 20, including the 20mm G12 autocannon. Additionally the engine has been upgraded.
AML-S530
The AML-S530 is an AML with S530 turret which mounts two 20mm M621 autocannon. It is used in the anti-aircraft role and the armament allows for a high level of elevation. The AML-S530 has been produced only in small quantities.
Media
M3 armored personnel carrier
The AML has many automotive components in common with the M3 armored personnel carrier.
7.5mm AAT-52
The 7.5mm AAT-52 or 7.62mm AAT-NF1 machine gun is often used as a coaxial or flexible weapon on the AML.
7.62mm MAG
The 7.62mm MAG machine gun is often fitted as alternative to the AAT-52.
12.7mm M2HB
The AML-60-12 has the 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun as coaxial weapon.