AMX 10 RC | Temporary use "space-saver" spare tire mounted in the trunk of a 1970 AMC AMX | AMX LLC | AMX International AMX | AMX-50 |
Initial work on the AMX-10RC began in 1970; production began in 1976, and the first production vehicle was delivered in 1981 to the 2nd Regiment de Hussards in Sourdun.
The first production vehicles were delivered in 1973 to the 7th Mechanised Brigade stationed at Reims.
Night vision optics and NBC (nuclear, biological and chemical) defense systems are standard fittings.
The type was armed with a 120 mm gun in response to the perceived threat posed by the Soviet heavy tanks, such as the IS-3 and the T-10.
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The Maybach HL 295 (a redesigned German gas engine in 1945 captured at Friedrichshafen by Engineer-General Joseph Molinié) and a Saurer diesel engine were tested.
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In the Musée des Blindés at Saumur an AMX 50 is shown, a combination of the last cast hull and the Tourelle D.
After the war, The French designed and built the AMX-50 series of armoured fighting vehicles, which used a 1000HP Maybach engine with rear drive, as had been intended for the E-50 and E-75, whilst the idea of external Belleville washer suspension - which was also developed with the Entwicklung series in mind - resurfaced on the Swiss Panzer 61.
The French Army had at first planned on equipping the later regiment with the AMX-10RC, but were told that this vehicle was not suitable for transport by the French Air Force Transall C-160 or its allies' Hercules C-130 aircraft due to size and weight issues.
Three rotations of such ships can ferry a whole armoured regiment with its 22 AMX-30 or Leclerc battle tanks, 44 AMX 10 RC heavy armoured cars, 22 véhicules de l'Avant Blindé, 41 all-terrain light vehicles (including 16 MILAN anti-tank missile systems), 54 TRM 4000 trucks, 15 TRM 2000 light trucks, 5 fuel trucks, 2 tug trucks, 6 120 mm mortars, 67 towed containers and one beach carpeting system, overall 3300 tonnes.
The design of the Zaku II influenced the later designs of the RMS-106 Hi-Zack in Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam and AMX-011 Zaku III in Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ.
To give an additional anti-tank capability to the AMX-13, it was later fitted with four SS.11 missiles on a turret-front rack.