Panhard AML
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
|
| Panhard AML 90 armoured car in Batey ha-Osef museum, Israel. | |
| AML 60/90 | |
| Country Of Origin: | France |
| Designation: | Light Armoured Car |
| Configuration: | 4 x 4 |
| Manufacturer: | Panhard |
| Length: | 4.15m |
| Width: | 1,97 m |
| Height: | 2,07 m |
| Weight: | 5,5t |
| Ground Clearance: | 330 mm |
| Trench: | 0,8 m |
| Speed: | 90 km/h (road) km/h (off-road) |
| Range: | 600km |
| Primary armament 60: | 60 mm breech loading mortar |
| Primary armament 90: | 90 mm GIAT F1 gun |
| Secondary armament: | 2 7,62 mm MG |
| Power plant: | Panhard Model 4 HD 4-cylinder air-cooled petrol developing 90 hp at 4,700 rpm |
| Crew: | 3 |
The Panhard AML (called the AML 245 by Panhard) 60/90 is a light armoured car with permanent 4x4 drive which gives it exceptional mobility. It can carry either a 90 mm quick firing low pressure gun, or a 60 mm breech loading mortar as main weapons. Night vision equipment provides effective night time operations, and it is provided with an excellent telecommunications system.
Contents |
[edit] Production History
During the Fifties, the French Army used the Daimler Ferret in large numbers. They decided to build their own armoured car and Panhard started the production of the AML in 1960. Since then over 4000 vehicles have been completed and manufacture continues for the export market. The AML 60/90 have been sold to over 30 countries. In addition to the French production, 1300 AML 60/90 were built under licence by South Africa under the name of Eland 60/90.
An APC (armoured personnel carrier) version was also developed. The Panhard M3 and the AML share 95% of working parts, encouraging many countries to employ both the M3 and the AML in order to reduce operational costs.
[edit] Variants
All the versions have a common configuration: the driver is seated in front with a 2-seater turret on top. There is a door on each side and the power unit in the back.
- AML 60 - 60 mm breech loading mortar and a 7,62 mm
- AML 60 HE60-7 60 mm breech loading mortar and 2 x 12,7 mm machine gun
- AML 60 HE60-12 - 60 mm breech loading mortar and a 12,7 mm machine gun
- AML 60 HE60-20 - 60 mm breech loading mortar and a 20 mm cannon
- AML 60 S530 - anti-aircraft version with 2 x 20 mm cannons used in Venezuela
- AML 90 - 90 mm gun
- AML 90 Lynx - Hispano-Suiza designed turret with a 90 mm GIAT F1 gun, night equipment of vision, and telemeters laser
- Eland 60 - South African version of the AML 60 HE60-7
- Eland 90 - South African version of the AML 90 Lynx
[edit] Operators
Algeria, Argentina, Bahrain, Benin, Bosnia, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Gabon, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Iraq, Ireland,Kenya, Lebanon, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Polisario, Portugal, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Somaliland, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Togo, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Yemen and Zimbabwe
[edit] Combat History
- Portuguese Colonial War
- Rhodesia
- Mozambican War of Independence
- Angolan Civil War
- Falklands War (1982)
- Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990)
[edit] Trivia
In the James Bond film The Living Daylights, two Panhard AMLs (used to portray Soviet Army vehicles) pursue Afghan Mujahadeen fighters. In fact these were Panhard AMLs belonging to the Royal Moroccan Army (FAR). The Mujahadeen were Moroccan soldiers.
[edit] See also
| Tanks & Armoured Cars Leclerc | AMX 30 | ERC-90 Sagaie | AMX 10 RC | VBC-90 |
| Armoured personnel carriers |
| Artillery LRM | AMX 30 AuF1 | CAESAR |
| French armoured fighting vehicles |
| 4 x 4 AML | BRDM-2 | Ferret | FV 721 Fox | Piranha |
