AMX 30 AUF1 - Heller's No. 81129
At the end of the 1960's, a replacement of the self-acting AMX 13 by a modern, genuinely self-acting device was under consideration. This finished up with the definition of a highly mobile, rapid-fire piece of equipment, since it had to guarantee powerful, rapid, accurate and constant back-up fire to battle forces engaged on broad and deep fronts. It also had to be endowed with the same degree of NBC (Nuclear, Biological and Chemical) protection as a tanks, since the crew had to perform its task without getting out of the vehicle. The prototypes were to be used for trials between 1972 and 1978, and tactical experiments began in 1979.

This self-acting cannon, which the French Army called the 155 AUF 1, makes use of the AMX 30 chassis, and it has comparable mobility to it. It is equipped to NATO standard with a 155 mm cannon. Its automatic feed system enables it to fire a burst of 6 rounds in 45 secoonds (which explains its other name : 155 GCT "Rapid Fire"). The maximum range of fire is between 14 and 19 miles, depending on the type of shell used. The technological design of this self-actor means it can be fully integrated into a computerized artillery regiment, it being possible to send remote-displayed firing orders direct to the gun. A four-men crew is required (gun commander, gun layer, radio loader, driver).

Outside France, this piece of equipment has been sold to Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Observers reported that during artillery battles in the Iran/Iraq war, the 155 GCT's clearly out-classed the 155 Howitzers of American origin, or Soviet equipment of equivalent calibre, both in their accuracy of fire and their range.

Characteristics :
Total weight in combat order : 42 tons
Length : 33 ft 7 1/2 in
Width : 10 ft 4 in
Height : 10 ft 8 in
Shield to ground : 1 ft 5 3/4 in
Maximum road speed : 37 mph
Average road speed : 24 mph
Fuel range on roads : 279 miles
Over combat ground : 16 hours
Maximum slope : 60%
Armaments : 2.5 tons (42 rounds available in turret)

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