AMX-30 Bridge
The AMX-30 Bridge is a French bridge-laying engineering vehicle based on the AMX-30 tank chassis.[1]
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.[2] The bridge is erected vertically, and can therefore be easily seen by enemy forces.[1]
Night vision optics and NBC (nuclear, biological and chemical) defense systems are standard fittings.[1]
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.[1]
It was intended to be used in tandem with the AMX-30, having no armament of its own.[1] It was not used by the French Army; 12 vehicles are in use by the Saudi Arabian Army.[when?][citation needed]
References
- ^ a b c d e Trewhitt, Philip (1999). Armoured Fighting Vehicles. Dempsey-Parr. p. 230. ISBN 1-84084-328-4.
- ^ Tanks and armored fighting vehicles : visual encyclopedia. New York, N.Y.: Chartwell Books. 2012. p. 337. ISBN 9780785829263. OCLC 785874088.