AMX-30 Bridge

Infobox Weapon
name=AMX-30 Bridge


caption=
origin= FRA
type=Armoured vehicle-launched bridge
is_vehicle=yes
length=11.40 m (with bridge)
width=3.95 m (with bridge)
height=4.29 m (with bridge)
weight=42.5 tons (93500lb)
suspension=torsion bar
speed=50 km/h (31.1 mph)
vehicle_range=600 km (373 miles)
primary_armament=
secondary_armament=
armour=80 mm (3.14 in)
engine=Hispano-Suiza HS-110 12 cylinder
engine_power=700 hp (522 kW)
pw_ratio=16.5 hp/ton
crew=3

The AMX-30 Bridge is a French bridge-laying engineering vehicle based on the AMX-30 tank chassis.cite book |last=Trewhitt |first=Philip |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Armoured Fighting Vehicles |year=1999 |publisher=Dempsey-Parr |location=230 |isbn=1-84084-328-4 ]

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. The bridge is erected vertically, and can therefore be easily seen by enemy forces.

Night vision optics and NBC (nuclear, biological and chemical) defense systems are standard fittings.

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.

It was intended to be used in tandem with the AMX-30, having no armament of its own. It was not used by the French army; 12 vehicles are in usage by the Saudi Arabian Army.

References