French SPAAG Examples

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Due to limited photos and information all french SPAAGs are gathered here.

AMX 10 RAA

( Roues Anti-Aérien )





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DESCRIPTION



This is the Prototype version of the AMX-10RC with a Sabre THOMSON-CSF turret, the AMX 10 RAA



The AMX 10 RAA is a very-short range anti-aircraft vehicle, with a chassis based on that of the AMX-10 RC and featuring a newly designed 30 mm twin-gun weapon installation. It is intended to protect forward units and point defense such as bridges, roads, command posts etc, against air attack at low and very low altitudes. The design of the AMX 10 RAA enables it to independently carry out a complete interception sequence.



HISTORY BACKGROUND







This AA version was introduced for the first time at Satory in 1981. It featured a large turret armed with two 30mm automatic cannons produced by SAMM. Another turret, manufactured by Thales, was also available. It takes the name AMX 10 RAA (Roues Anti-Aérien) but never passed the stage of an exhibition of a Satory show, where the turret made many attempts on types of gear to arouse the interest of potential buyers, in vain !



To modernize the SAMM turret of the AMX 13 "Black Eye" and the same turret mounted on AMX 30 for Saudi Arabia with a more efficient radar system called ”Œil Vert” (Green Eye). Thomson developed a modernized turret equipped with a more effective detection system. Unfortunately, the appearance of Surface to Air missiles of all types (short, medium and long range) as well as the onboard defense systems of the jets, completely aborted the development of this turret.



Thomson did not skimp on the different montages. From the AMX 30 through the Centurion and the British Chieftain, towed trailer to the AMX 10 RAA, whose turret volume seemed to be a huge outgrowth on an already important craft. In addition, the major handicap was the change of the guns every 100 rounds to avoid heating and premature wear of the stripes. 100 shots for an anti-air piece at high speed, is a frequency too low !



TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Dimensions and weight​
Mass​	( ? ) Turret 6500 kg​
Length​	6.358 m​
Width​	2.86 m​
Height​	2.86 m​
Ground clearance​	( ? )​
Armament​
Main gun​	2 x 30 mm HSS 831A​
Ammunition load​	1200​
Radar Range "Œil Vert"​	22 km​
Elevation​	-10 / +85​
Traverse range​	360 degrees​
Crew​
Turret operator​	2​
Hull​	1​
Mobility - Maneuverability​
Engine​	Beaudoin 6F11 SRX​
Engine power​	280 hp​
Maximum speed on road​	85 km/h​
Maximum speed off road​	40 km/h​
Gradient​	60%​
Protection​
Front Sides​	STANAG 4569 Level 4 STANAG 4569 Level 3​

 

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VAB Renault VCS TA 20 Blindé de défense antiaérienne

 

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ERC-20 Kriss​

ERC-20 Kriss self-propelled anti-aircraft gun on parade in Gabon.

 

[Turko]

PANHARD M3 VDA

The M3 VDAA is the most common application of the VDAA system. The VDAA turret is mounted in the center of the French M3 armored personnel carrier. Four jacks are fitted to provide a stable firing platform. Usually one in two or three vehicles is fitted with a RA-20S search radar on top of the VDAA turret.

The VDAA system is a French system that converts armored personnel carriers into a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. VDAA stands for Véhicule de Défense Anti-Aérienne, French for air defense vehicle. In an updated form this system led to the development of the Sinai self-propelled anti-aircraft gun.

Most VDAA systems are based on a modified M3 armored personnel carrier. Four outriggers are fitted to the vehicle to provide a stable firing platform. The VAB chassis was also used as a firing platform.

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The standard TA-20 turret of the VDAA system is fitted with two 20mm Oerlikon autocannon. The cyclic rate of fire is either 200 or 1.000 rounds per minute per barrel. An AAT-52 or AAT-NF1 machine gun is coaxially mounted and used for self-defense. There also is a TA-23 turret variant which uses two 23mm ZU-23 autocannon instead.

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A RA-20 search and tracking radar can be installed at the rear of the VDAA turret. It is usually present in one out of three systems, although up to four vehicles can be supported by a single radar equipped vehicle. An optical sight is used for targeting and target range and speed are fed automatically into the targeting computer. Optional equipment includes an IFF system, laser range finder and TV tracking system.

The level of protection depends on which chassis the VDAA system is installed. Most APC's provide protection against small arms fire and shell splinters. The VDAA system is operated under full armor protection.

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The level of mobility depends on which chassis the VDAA system is installed. The weight of the system is limited and does not limit mobility. When fitted on the M3 chassis it can still travel up to 90 km/h on roads.

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Although developed in France the VDAA was never adopted by French forces. It has been exported to several nations with close ties to France and remains in operational use.