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Land Systems / Battlefield


AMX VCI (Vehicule de Combat d-Infanterie)


Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV) [ 1957 ]



The AMX VCI Infantry Combat Vehicle sported a turret-mounted machine gun and side-firing ports - very innovative for its time.



Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 07/16/2023 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

VIEW SPECIFICATIONS [+]
The French-made AMX VCI (for "Vehicule de Combat d'Infanterie") infantry combat system was designed to a specific French Army vehicle requirement made in the years following World War 2. The VCI was based on the AMX-13 light tank which eased production of the new vehicle by utilizing many existing components. The VCI would go on to see production begin in 1967 and become the primary infantry mover of French forces.

Visually, the AMX VCI was characterized by five road wheels per track side. Twin hatches at the rear of the hull offered up an entry / Exit point for the 10 passengers. One distinct design element of the VCI in regards to its passengers was in the implementation of side-gun firing ports, which protected the occupants but allowed them to still fire their weapons in self-defense. Additionally, the inclusion of a turret-mounted self-defense machine gun was a relatively new concept for this particular type of vehicle for the time in which it appeared. The profile was of a very low design and the appearance very utilitarian. Nevertheless, the platform maintained solid workman-like history and was the main infantry fighting vehicle of the French Army for years despite the huge drawback of not having any type of amphibious capability.

The beauty of systems such as the VCI are in the adaptability of the chassis for other battlefield roles and the VCI is no exception. Variants include a command post, armored battlefield ambulance, mortar carriers (two types), combat engineer and artillery fire control vehicle. A modernization program undertaken in 1987 helped to keep the VCI competent n the modern battlefield with the inclusion of a new and refined 280 horsepower engine. The AMX VCI was replaced by the more capable AMX-10 armored personnel carrier offering. Though no longer in service with French forces, a few of her previous customers still field the system to some extent. Some 3,400 examples are said to have been produced.©MilitaryFactory.com
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.

Specifications



AMX - France
Manufacturer(s)
Argentina; Belgium; Cyprus; Ecuador; France, Indonesia; Lebanon; Mexico; Netherlands; Qatar; Sudan; Venezuela; United Arab Emirates
Operators National flag of Argentina National flag of Belgium National flag of Cyprus National flag of Ecuador National flag of France National flag of Indonesia National flag of Lebanon National flag of Mexico National flag of the Netherlands National flag of Qatar National flag of Sudan National flag of the United Arab Emirates National flag of Venezuela
1957
Service Year
France
National Origin
Active, Limited
Project Status
3
Crew
3,400
Units


INFANTRY SUPPORT
Support allied ground forces through weapons, inherent capabilities, and / or onboard systems.


18.7 ft
(5.7 meters)
Length
8.8 ft
(2.67 meters)
Width
7.9 ft
(2.41 meters)
Height
33,069 lb
(15,000 kg)
Weight
16.5 tons
(Light-class)
Tonnage


1 x SOFAM 8-cylinder liguid-cooled gasoline engine developing 250 horsepower.
Drive System
37 mph
(60 kph)
Road Speed
217 miles
(350 km)
Road Range


1 x 20mm Autocannon.
1 x 7.5mm OR 12.7mm machine gun.
AMMUNITION
Not Available.


AMX-13 VTT - Initial Designation
VCI - Base Infantry Fighting Vehicle
VTT/TB - Battlefield Ambulance
VTT/PC - Command Post Vehicle
VTT/Cargo - Carrier
VCI Anti-Tank - Anti-Tank Platform (ENTAC anti-tank missiles).
VCI ARV - Combat Engineer Vehicle
VTT/RATAC - Mobile Radar Platform
VTT/LT - Artillery Fire Control Vehicle
VTT/PM - Mortar Carrier; mounting either an 81mm or 120mm mortar.
VTT/VCA - Mk F3 155mm SPG Ammunition/Crew Support Vehicle.
DNC-1 - Mexican Army Designation


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