AML-60


Eland 60


Overview

AML-60-20 Serval

AML-60-20 Serval in use with Niger.
Source: www.bemil.chosun.com - © Copyright lies with original owner

Origin
France
Type
Reconnaissance vehicle
Entered service
1961
Status
In service
Development
1956 - 1960
Developer
France - Panhard
Production
1960 - 1987
Producer
France - Panhard
South Africa - Sandock-Austral
Number produced
Over 5.300 including AML-90 and other variants
Designations
AML 245 (manufacturers index)
AML / Auto Mitrailleuse Lègere
French for "light machine gun vehicle"
Eland 60 (South African variant)
Notable users
France
South Africa

Description

The AML-60 is a reconnaissance vehicle of French origin. It was developed in the 1950's to replace the British Ferret in French service.

The AML-60 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-60 a distinctive look.

The main armament is a 60mm breech loaded mortar. This has a direct fire range of 300 m. In the indirect fire role it has a range of 2.6 km. Ammunition types include high explosive, canister, smoke and illumination. Coaxial armament consists of two machine guns side by side. Some vehicles are fitted with a single 12.7mm M2HB or 20mm M621 instead.

The steel armor provides protection against small arms fire all around. The AML-90 is vulnerable to any heavier weapon and mines.

The AML-60 was adopted in large quantities by the French forces and was exported in even larger quantities all around the world.

Variants

AML 60-7
AML-60 with HE 60-7 turret. This is the first production variant, which is fitted 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 HE 60-12 turret. Armed with 60mm breech loaded mortar with single 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun as coaxial weapon.
AML 60-20
AML-60 with HE 60-20 turret. Armed with 20mm M621 autocannon as coaxial weapon alongside the 60mm mortar.
AML 60-20 Serval
AML-60 with increased firepower and fire control systems compared to the other three AML 60 variants. Armed with 7.62mm coaxial roof mounted machine gun and 20mm M693 or HS-820 autocannon on turret roof. Fitted with the same breech loaded mortar as the AML 60, or fitted with a long range mortar with 5 km range.
Eland 60
South African production model of the AML 60-7. Early models were similar to French production variants. Later marks are fitted with a different engine and various other improvements.

Details

Facts AML 60-7 AML 60-12 AML 60-20
General
Origin
France
Type
Reconnaissance vehicle
Crew
3 (commander, driver, gunner)
Dimensions
Weight
4.8 t combat load
Length
3.79 m hull
Width
1.97 m
Height
2.07 m overall
Main armament
Type
60mm HB 60 breech loaded mortar
Mount
Main gun in turret
Ammunition
53 shells
32 shells for variants with radio set
Elevation
-15° to +80°, manual
Traverse
360°, manual
Range
300 m (direct fire)
2.6 km (indirect fire)
Stabilizer
No
Coaxial armament
Type
2x 7.5mm AAT-52 or 7.62mm MAG machine gun
Mount
Coaxial with main armament
Ammunition
3.800 rounds in total
Elevation
-15° to +60°, coaxial with main armament
Traverse
360°, coaxial with main armament
Stabilizer
No
Chassis
Chassis type
Wheeled chassis, 4x4
Tread
1.52 m
Wheelbase
2.5 m
Automotive
Engine model
Panhard Model 4 HD
Engine type
4-cylinder air-cooled petrol
Power output
90 hp at 4.700 rpm
Transmission
Manual, 6 forward, 1 reverse
Fuel
156 L
Mobility
Speed
90 km/h on road
5.5 km/h reverse
Range
600 km on road
Turn radius
6 m
Power to weight ratio
18.7 hp/t
Obstacle crossing
Ground clearance
0.33 m
Wall
0.3 m
Trench
0.8 m
Gradient
60 %
Slope
30 %
Fording
1.1 m
Protection
Armor type
Steel
Armor thickness
8 to 12 mm
NBC system
Optional
Smoke system
2x2 80mm smoke grenade dischargers
Equipment
Night vision
Optional
Fire control
5x optical sight without night vision
Radio
Optional

Media

Related articles

AML-90

The AML-90 uses the same chassis as the AML-60, but has a larger turret with 90mm rifled cannon.

Read more about AML-90