GIAT Mk F3 (Canon de 155mm Mle F3 Automoteur)

History

After World War II (1939-1945) proved the value of self-propelled gun systems (SPG) and the efficient process of simply converting existing tracked undercarriage into this role, all nations had to keep up with the post-war years and Similar development platforms in the future. For the rebuilding French Army, this resulted in the Nexter/GIAT Mk F3, a tracked vehicle with a 155mm main gun mounted on the chassis of the French Army's existing AMX-13 light tank.

Between 1962 and 1997, about 600 units were built to the Mk F3 standard. The Mk F3 replaces the 155mm M41 Gorilla armored platform based on the WWII M24 Chaffee era light tank.

Like other modified military armored vehicles, the Mk F3 retains most of the form and function of the original AMX-13 tank, except for the obvious physical characteristics of no turret. Instead, the 155mm howitzer is mounted above the top of the hull, slightly off the right side of the vehicle. While a typical operation requires a crew of eight, at least two of them can ride in the vehicle itself - the rest are hoisted by escort vehicles, which also bring the required 155mm projectiles. When trying to keep up with the then mechanized divisions of the French Army, the track wheel arrangement provided the necessary off-road driving capability, and the hull was suspended on a torsion bar arrangement. Propulsion is provided by a SOFAM 8Gxb 8-cylinder gasoline engine rated at 250 hp, giving the vehicle a top road speed of 37 mph and a range of up to 190 miles.

Armor protection up to 20mm.

Due to its AMX-13 origins and the fact that it only requires two seats, the Mk F3 is able to remain a compact vehicle for easy transport by plane or rail vehicle. Dimensions include a barrel length of 20.4 feet, a width of 8.9 feet, and a height of 6.9 feet.

Its low profile makes it a more difficult target to identify from a distance on the battlefield. Vehicles are in the 20 ton range.

Design work on the Mk F3 began in 1952, and the system entered service in 1962. It became an efficient weapon carrier for the French Army because it was a low-cost solution and was relatively easy to use and maintain. The 155mm howitzer is a proven battlefield tool capable of launching its HE (High Explosive) payload over target areas miles away. Critics point to the lack of viable nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) occupant protection that became standard on nearly every vehicle used by every military in the world during the Cold War.

Support personnel also face various battlefield hazards in theaters and elements, as only two of the eight are formally protected in the name of armor.

Nonetheless, the Mk F3 became a hit in the export market and the platform was adopted by countries such as Argentina, Chile, Cyprus, Ecuador, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Peru, Venezuela and Qatar. Aside from the French army, Morocco was the most prolific operator of the car, with 100 of them - the last one was not delivered until 1997. Production was expanded primarily to meet foreign orders, as the French Army had transitioned to modern GIAT GCT 155mm SPG vehicles by 1977.

This SPG takes a more traditional approach of mounting a 155mm turret armament on a normal tracked undercarriage.

In 2006, the Nexter brand changed its name to GIAT Industries and for a short time took its name to the product Mk F3.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

for everyone else in our database)

Armor

25 x 155 mm carried by supporting vehicle.

Changes