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Mk F3 155 mm

January 06, 2023

The 155 mm self-propelled gun Mk F3, or the Canon de 155 mm Mle F3 Automoteur (Cn-155-F3-Am), was developed in the early 1950s by the French Army to replace their American M41 Gorilla 155mm self-propelled guns. The Mk F3 is the smallest and lightest 155 mm motorized gun carriage ever produced, and because of its size and low cost it has found considerable success on the export market. Constructed on a modified AMX-13 light tank chassis, the Mk F3 is novel in incorporating room inside for only two of the eight required crewmen (the others riding in support vehicles). This allows the 155 mm gun to be placed on a smaller chassis than that employed by other armies, but exposes the outside crew members to enemy fire and other hazards.

Mk F3 155mm
TypeSelf-propelled artillery
Place of originFrance
Service history
In service1962–present
Used bySee Operators
Production history
Designed1959[1]
ManufacturerGIAT
Produced1962–1997
No. built621
Specifications
Mass17.41 tonnes
Length6.22 m (20 ft 5 in)
Width2.72 m (8 ft 11 in)
Height2.085 m (6 ft 10 in)
Crew2 + 2 in the vehicle
8-man crew to fire the gun
ShellSeparate loading bagged charge and 44 kg (97 lb) projectile
Caliber155 mm L/33 caliber
BreechInterrupted screw
RecoilHydro-pneumatic
CarriageTracked
Elevation-6° to +75°
Traverse360°
Muzzle velocity725 m/s (2,380 ft/s)
Maximum firing range20 km (12 mi)
Armor20 mm (0.79 in)
Main
armament
155mm 33-calibre howitzer
EngineSOFAM Model 8Gxb 8-cylinder water-cooled 250 HP petrol engine
Power/weight14.4 hp/tonne
SuspensionTorsion-bar with shock absorbers
Operational
range
300 km (190 mi)
Maximum speed 60 km/h (37 mph) on road

Design

The Mk F3 is essentially a modified AMX-13 light tank chassis with the rear idler removed and the hull modified to accept a 155 mm cannon and its recoil, elevating and traversing mechanisms, including two rear spades which arereversed into the ground to give added stability when firing. The gun is accompanied by a 6x6 truck or an AMX-VCA that carries the rest of the 8-men gun crew and 25 projectiles.[2]

The F3 fired the standard 155 mm high-explosive projectile, and is also capable of firing the smoke, illumination and rocket-assisted rounds. The effective range is 20,050 m with 43.75 kg HE rounds.[2]

The hull of the Mk F3 is of all-welded steel armour measuring 10 to 20 mm, providing the two occupants with protection from small arms fire and shell splinters. The layout is conventional, with the driver's compartment at the front on the left, engine compartment to the right and the 155 mm gun above at the rear. A splashboard is mounted at the front of the hull to stop water from rushing up the glacis plate when the vehicle is fording streams. A replacement road wheel is often carried on the glacis plate. The driver has a single-piece hatch that opens to the left, and is provided with three daylight periscopes, the centre one of which is replaceable by an image intensification (or thermal) periscope for night driving. The commander is seated behind the driver and has a two-piece hatch that opens to either side. The commander is also provided with three daylight periscopes. The Mk F3 design lacks any sort of nuclear-biological-chemical (NBC) protection for its crew.[2]

The torsion bar suspension consists of five single rubber-tyred road wheels with the drive sprocket at the front and the fifth roadwheel acting as the idler. There are three track-return rollers. The first and last road wheel stations have hydraulic shock-absorbers. The steel tracks can be fitted with rubber pads if required. Stowage containers are provided along each side of the upper part of the hull. Standard equipment includes a loudspeaker and a cable reel with 400 m of cable.[2]

 
A French Army Mk F3 in battery, with a Berliet GBC 8KT support truck, during a military exercise in 1980.

History

 
AMX-13 Mk F3 155mm of Kuwaiti Army in Syria 1973.

In the early 1950s the French Army desired to replace their aging American M41 howitzers with an indigenous design, based on the AMX-13 light tank chassis. The Mk F3 entered production in 1959.[1] Its low cost and light weight made it a very popular weapon system on the export market. It was exported to a number of South American and Middle Eastern countries, and remained in production until the early 1980s, long after the French Army had themselves converted to the fully enclosed GCT 155mm self-propelled artillery system.

Production

The 155 mm gun, a derivative of the Obusier de 155 mm Modèle 50, was designed by the Atelier de Construction de Tarbes (ATS), and the chassis by the Atelier de Construction Roanne (ARE). Integration of the gun with the chassis and all firing trials were undertaken by the Etablissement d'Etudes et de Fabrications d'Armement de Bourges (EFAB). Because the ARE was tooling up for production of the AMX-30 main battle tank, production of the whole AMX-13 tank family, including the F3 155 mm self-propelled gun, was transferred to Mécanique Creusot-Loire.[2] Total production of the Mk F3 amounted to 621 guns. Beginning in 1993, Mécanique Creusot-Loire became Giat Industries,[3] and in 2006 was renamed Nexter. In 1997 France supplied the last 10 155 mm Mk F3 systems to Morocco.[2]

Combat history

It was used by Al Jahra Force during Kippur War on Syrian front. Morocco used its Mk F3 during Western Sahara War.

Iraq captured or destroyed 80 of these guns during the invasion of Kuwait.[4]

Variants

  • The Mk F3 has been offered by GIAT with Detroit Diesel 6V-53T and Baudouin 6F 11 SRY engines.[2]
  • RDM Technology upgraded variant: in 1991, the Dutch company RDM Technology was contracted to upgrade 22 Mk F3s in service with Qatar. They were fitted with a Detroit Diesel Model 6V-53T turbocharged diesel engine and a new transmission.[2]
  • The CITER 155mm L33 gun reused many components of the Mk F3.[5]
  • 155 mm Mk F3 with 155 mm/39 calibre ordnance: proposed design with a longer gun.[2]

Operators

Current operators

Former operators

References

Notes

  1. ^ a b "AMX 13 F3 AUTOMOUVANT 155". chars-francais.net (in French). 2018. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Foss, Christopher F. (12 February 2002). "Giat Industries 155 mm self-propelled gun Mk F3". Jane's Armour and Artillery 2002–2003.
  3. ^ Forecast International (April 1997). "Mark F3 155 mm Self-Propelled Howitzer". Military Vehicles Forecast.
  4. ^ Rottman, Gordon L.; Volstad, Ronald (1993), Armies of the Gulf War, Osprey Publishing, p. 49, ISBN 978-1-85532-277-6, Kuwait had loaned a battery of French 155mm Mk F3 SP guns to Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War and a further 80 fell into Iraqi hands after the invasion.
  5. ^ Foss, Christopher F. (21 February 2002). "155 mm howitzer L33 X1415 CITEFA Models 77 and 81". Jane's Armour and Artillery 2002–2003.
  6. ^ The Military Balance 2019, p. 96.
  7. ^ The Military Balance 2019, p. 414.
  8. ^ The Military Balance 2019, p. 352.
  9. ^ The Military Balance 2019, p. 359.
  10. ^ The Military Balance 2019, p. 364.
  11. ^ The Military Balance 2019, p. 373.
  12. ^ The Military Balance 2019, p. 493.
  13. ^ "Día de la Artillería, el arma de apoyo de fuego". Argentina.gob.ar. 12 December 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  14. ^ The Military Balance 2019, p. 434.

Bibliography

External links

  • (in French)

January 06, 2023
self, propelled, canon, automoteur, developed, early, 1950s, french, army, replace, their, american, gorilla, 155mm, self, propelled, guns, smallest, lightest, motorized, carriage, ever, produced, because, size, cost, found, considerable, success, export, mark. The 155 mm self propelled gun Mk F3 or the Canon de 155 mm Mle F3 Automoteur Cn 155 F3 Am was developed in the early 1950s by the French Army to replace their American M41 Gorilla 155mm self propelled guns The Mk F3 is the smallest and lightest 155 mm motorized gun carriage ever produced and because of its size and low cost it has found considerable success on the export market Constructed on a modified AMX 13 light tank chassis the Mk F3 is novel in incorporating room inside for only two of the eight required crewmen the others riding in support vehicles This allows the 155 mm gun to be placed on a smaller chassis than that employed by other armies but exposes the outside crew members to enemy fire and other hazards Mk F3 155mmTypeSelf propelled artilleryPlace of originFranceService historyIn service1962 presentUsed bySee OperatorsProduction historyDesigned1959 1 ManufacturerGIATProduced1962 1997No built621SpecificationsMass17 41 tonnesLength6 22 m 20 ft 5 in Width2 72 m 8 ft 11 in Height2 085 m 6 ft 10 in Crew2 2 in the vehicle 8 man crew to fire the gunShellSeparate loading bagged charge and 44 kg 97 lb projectileCaliber155 mm L 33 caliberBreechInterrupted screwRecoilHydro pneumaticCarriageTrackedElevation 6 to 75 Traverse360 Muzzle velocity725 m s 2 380 ft s Maximum firing range20 km 12 mi Armor20 mm 0 79 in Mainarmament155mm 33 calibre howitzerEngineSOFAM Model 8Gxb 8 cylinder water cooled 250 HP petrol enginePower weight14 4 hp tonneSuspensionTorsion bar with shock absorbersOperationalrange300 km 190 mi Maximum speed60 km h 37 mph on road Contents 1 Design 2 History 2 1 Production 2 2 Combat history 3 Variants 4 Operators 4 1 Current operators 4 2 Former operators 5 References 5 1 Notes 5 2 Bibliography 6 External linksDesign EditThe Mk F3 is essentially a modified AMX 13 light tank chassis with the rear idler removed and the hull modified to accept a 155 mm cannon and its recoil elevating and traversing mechanisms including two rear spades which arereversed into the ground to give added stability when firing The gun is accompanied by a 6x6 truck or an AMX VCA that carries the rest of the 8 men gun crew and 25 projectiles 2 The F3 fired the standard 155 mm high explosive projectile and is also capable of firing the smoke illumination and rocket assisted rounds The effective range is 20 050 m with 43 75 kg HE rounds 2 The hull of the Mk F3 is of all welded steel armour measuring 10 to 20 mm providing the two occupants with protection from small arms fire and shell splinters The layout is conventional with the driver s compartment at the front on the left engine compartment to the right and the 155 mm gun above at the rear A splashboard is mounted at the front of the hull to stop water from rushing up the glacis plate when the vehicle is fording streams A replacement road wheel is often carried on the glacis plate The driver has a single piece hatch that opens to the left and is provided with three daylight periscopes the centre one of which is replaceable by an image intensification or thermal periscope for night driving The commander is seated behind the driver and has a two piece hatch that opens to either side The commander is also provided with three daylight periscopes The Mk F3 design lacks any sort of nuclear biological chemical NBC protection for its crew 2 The torsion bar suspension consists of five single rubber tyred road wheels with the drive sprocket at the front and the fifth roadwheel acting as the idler There are three track return rollers The first and last road wheel stations have hydraulic shock absorbers The steel tracks can be fitted with rubber pads if required Stowage containers are provided along each side of the upper part of the hull Standard equipment includes a loudspeaker and a cable reel with 400 m of cable 2 A French Army Mk F3 in battery with a Berliet GBC 8KT support truck during a military exercise in 1980 History Edit AMX 13 Mk F3 155mm of Kuwaiti Army in Syria 1973 In the early 1950s the French Army desired to replace their aging American M41 howitzers with an indigenous design based on the AMX 13 light tank chassis The Mk F3 entered production in 1959 1 Its low cost and light weight made it a very popular weapon system on the export market It was exported to a number of South American and Middle Eastern countries and remained in production until the early 1980s long after the French Army had themselves converted to the fully enclosed GCT 155mm self propelled artillery system Production Edit The 155 mm gun a derivative of the Obusier de 155 mm Modele 50 was designed by the Atelier de Construction de Tarbes ATS and the chassis by the Atelier de Construction Roanne ARE Integration of the gun with the chassis and all firing trials were undertaken by the Etablissement d Etudes et de Fabrications d Armement de Bourges EFAB Because the ARE was tooling up for production of the AMX 30 main battle tank production of the whole AMX 13 tank family including the F3 155 mm self propelled gun was transferred to Mecanique Creusot Loire 2 Total production of the Mk F3 amounted to 621 guns Beginning in 1993 Mecanique Creusot Loire became Giat Industries 3 and in 2006 was renamed Nexter In 1997 France supplied the last 10 155 mm Mk F3 systems to Morocco 2 Combat history Edit It was used by Al Jahra Force during Kippur War on Syrian front Morocco used its Mk F3 during Western Sahara War Iraq captured or destroyed 80 of these guns during the invasion of Kuwait 4 Variants EditThe Mk F3 has been offered by GIAT with Detroit Diesel 6V 53T and Baudouin 6F 11 SRY engines 2 RDM Technology upgraded variant in 1991 the Dutch company RDM Technology was contracted to upgrade 22 Mk F3s in service with Qatar They were fitted with a Detroit Diesel Model 6V 53T turbocharged diesel engine and a new transmission 2 The CITER 155mm L33 gun reused many components of the Mk F3 5 155 mm Mk F3 with 155 mm 39 calibre ordnance proposed design with a longer gun 2 Operators EditCurrent operators Edit Cyprus 12 2 6 Ecuador 10 or 12 2 5 in service as of 2019 update 7 Kuwait 18 in reserve in 2002 2 8 Morocco 98 2 90 in service as of 2019 update 9 Qatar 28 22 upgraded from 1991 2 10 United Arab Emirates 18 2 11 Sudan 6 2 or 10 12 Former operators Edit Argentina 24 until 2018 13 Chile 20 2 8 purchased from France in 1970s and 12 second hand units purchased from Belgium in 1990s All have been removed from service replaced by 48 M 109 citation needed France Iraq captured from Kuwait Peru 12 2 Venezuela 12 to 20 2 replaced by 2S19 Msta S 14 References EditNotes Edit a b AMX 13 F3 AUTOMOUVANT 155 chars francais net in French 2018 Retrieved 28 April 2020 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Foss Christopher F 12 February 2002 Giat Industries 155 mm self propelled gun Mk F3 Jane s Armour and Artillery 2002 2003 Forecast International April 1997 Mark F3 155 mm Self Propelled Howitzer Military Vehicles Forecast Rottman Gordon L Volstad Ronald 1993 Armies of the Gulf War Osprey Publishing p 49 ISBN 978 1 85532 277 6 Kuwait had loaned a battery of French 155mm Mk F3 SP guns to Iraq during the Iran Iraq War and a further 80 fell into Iraqi hands after the invasion Foss Christopher F 21 February 2002 155 mm howitzer L33 X1415 CITEFA Models 77 and 81 Jane s Armour and Artillery 2002 2003 The Military Balance 2019 p 96 The Military Balance 2019 p 414 The Military Balance 2019 p 352 The Military Balance 2019 p 359 The Military Balance 2019 p 364 The Military Balance 2019 p 373 The Military Balance 2019 p 493 Dia de la Artilleria el arma de apoyo de fuego Argentina gob ar 12 December 2018 Retrieved 30 June 2022 The Military Balance 2019 p 434 Bibliography Edit Trewhitt Philip 1999 Armored Fighting Vehicles New York NY Amber Books p 115 ISBN 0 7607 1260 3 The Military Balance 2019 International Institute for Strategic Studies February 2019 ISBN 978 1857439885 Offord Colonel E F 1967 Armour in Profile No 12 Lau Peter 2006 The AMX 13 Light Tank Volume 1 Chassis Lau Peter 2006 The AMX 13 Light Tank Volume 2 Turret External links EditHistory Characteristics amp Photo Gallery Site Chars Francais net retrieved 2009 03 08 in French Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Mk F3 155 mm amp oldid 1100157581, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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