MARS-15, successors to the AMX-13

[FouManchou 2,463]

 

In short :

The MARS-15 family of light tanks / IFVs were a late 80s group of vehicles, developed as a possible replacement for the AMX-13 family. It may come in three forms : a 25mm autocannon IFV variant, a 90mm cannon light tank or a 105mm cannon light tank. The project was discontinued in 1991.

 

History :

Spoiler

In the 1980s, the French army were looking for a replacement to their AMX-13 fleet of tanks. CLI (Creusot-Loire Industrie), the main company involved in the manufacturing of AMX-13, therefore launched a development programme, titled "VBM" (Véhicule Blindé Modulable or Modular Armoured Vehicle). The objective was to create a modern chassis that could, just like the AMX-13, be used to mount a great range of weapon load-outs and carry out all roles a light vehicle is fit for (infantry support, artillery, AA, tank-hunting, recon, engineering, troop transport, etc.). The chassis should also have similar characteristics to the AMX-13, so as to make them a relatively cheap replacement on the export market. The result of the VBM programme was presented in March of 1990 at Satory (now Eurosatory) exhibition, partly accounting for its given name* : MARS (which means March in frog). Two prototypes were originally presented, sporting a 25mm autocannon and a 90mm F4 cannon respectively. The following year, a 105mm cannon variant was also presented, while a 155mm self-moving artillery version was in the planning stages. The programme was however discontinued ; from the DGA (french military) side, it had to do with favouring wheeled vehicles such as the ERC-90 and AMX-10 ; from the company's side, the merging of CLI into GIAT forced projects to be reconsidered.

*One of my sources says this name may have come from the steel used in the armour, the very high hardness MARS steel. One might add that Mars is the roman god of war, a fitting name for a combat vehicle.

 

 

MARS-15 (25)

Spoiler

Characteristics:

Weight 15t
Length   5.6m
Width   2.98m
Height   unknown
Engine  Baudouin GF12SRY supercharged diesel (420hp) --> 28 hp/t
Suspension    Renk HSWL 106 automatic transmission with 6 forward and 3 reverse speeds
Speed    75 km/h

Crew    3

Armament    25mm M242 chain-gun   (ammo unknown)

Protection   Exact layout unknown, basically impervious to HMG AP from the front and to rifle-caliber AP from the sides

 

 

MARS-15 (90)

Spoiler

Characteristics:

Weight 16t
Length   5.60m
Width   2.98m
Height   2.60m
Engine  Baudouin GF12SRY supercharged diesel (420 hp) --> 26.25 hp/t
Suspension    Renk HSWL 106 automatic transmission with 6 forward and 3 reverse speeds
Speed    75 km/h

Crew     3

Armament     90mm CN 90 F4  (30 rounds)

Protection   Exact layout unknown, basically impervious to HMG AP from the front and to rifle-caliber AP from the sides

 

Ammo should include AFPSDS, HE, SS and HEATFS

 

 

 

MARS-15 (105)

Spoiler

Characteristics:

Weight 18t
Length   5.6m
Width   2.98m
Height   unknown
Engine  Baudouin GF12SRY supercharged diesel (420 hp) --> 23.3 hp/t
Suspension    Renk HSWL 106 automatic transmission with 6 forward and 3 reverse speeds
Speed    75 km/h

Crew     3

Armament    105mm F2 BK MECA L/48   (ammo unknown)

Protection   Exact layout unknown, basically impervious to HMG AP from the front and to rifle-caliber AP from the sides

 

Ammo should include APFSDS, HE, SS and HEATFS

 

 

 

If you have any additional information on those vehicles, I'll be happy to update this post

 

 

 

Sources :

http://www.military-today.com/tanks/mars_15.htm

http://www.milinfo.org/2016/03/collector-mars-15-tourelle-90-maquettes-montfort.html

http://chars-francais.net/2015/index.php/10-archives/de-1990-nos-jours/1304-1990-mars-15

http://www.air-defense.net/forum/topic/2709-mars-15/

 

Edited September 25, 2018 by FouManchou

[leroyonly 4,310]

Open for discussion. 

[FouManchou 2,463]

Merci

[TOMSONE 1,213]

Just perfect to continue the light line.

[Milocat 4,842]

Would be great additions for better French light tanks.

[Delta_48 471]

+1 would love to see the MARS-15(25) and (90) in the standard tech tree, and the MARS-15(105) could make as a fun premium tank

[RexRegal 17]

+1

[CHaooSS 385]

Yes please! France need more vehicles.

[Wolf_89 2,523]

A big yes from me. MARS-15 (25) might not be that useful. But if/when they are making MARS-15 (90)/MARS-15 (105) They might as well make the MARS-15 (25).

[KontaKT 1,824]

Definitely needed to fill the tree.

However it was not intended to replace the AMX-13 family. The concept of light tank was already dead by the time of its conception.

[Matouan 9]

I think it can be a good high tier light tank

[*CaptWolfy97 42]

On 25/09/2018 at 17:16, FouManchou said:

Ammo should include APFSDS, HE, SS and HEATFS

 

I can not wait to be able to fire those SS shells on the Magach and Shot kal dalet.

 

[MiniDz@psn 552]

voted yes for all, would love to see them even tho i'm not sure if the 25 would be any usefull in WT

[Wolf_89 2,523]

On 04/02/2019 at 14:13, *MiniDz said:

voted yes for all, would love to see them even tho i'm not sure if the 25 would be any usefull in WT

It has the same gun as the bradley. So i guess it also has the same ammo. So 110mm pen within 10m. And 101mm pen up to 100m. So it would not be completely useless. 

[Trotrodor 2,670]

+1

[Johnny_Banane 4]

Please yes, France need some more vehicle like these; specially a light tank equivalent as a Bradley; and this Mars  15 105 could be really awesome too

[_Pixy 196]

I think the 25 version would be cool in-game, but hell, why not add all of em?

[didrec 100]

good to look for as it is now known that the TML 105 is satblised 
the gun should be on pare with the AMX 10 RC i ould see it as a good 9.0-9.3 LT 

[Jan_Gustl_WT 1,746]

+1, we need them

Edited March 25, 2020 by Jan_Gustl_WT

[Abaddon75 460]

Yes plz! I will add that the 15 is for the day, it's name is basicaly the date of his presentation to the public, potential birthday gift :p

Edited October 10, 2020 by Abaddon75

[CaID 8,988]

The 105mm F2 mecar of the Mars-15 q105 is also used on the AMX-10RC wich allow you to know the ammo and the performence. 

Mainly 3 rounds that could be used

 

OCC 105 F3

HEAT-FS, 1120 m/sec, 350mm of penetration

 

OLF 105 F3

APFSDS, 1400m/sec, 330-300mm of penetration

 

OE 105 F3

HE, 800m/sec, 25mm of penetration

 

 

 

 

[Cedjoe 5,481]

Btw the turret of the 105mm version is the TGG 105, a modified version of the regular TK 105 turret of the AMX-10RC with new optics, a G2 cannon, a new smoke launchers layout and additionnal armor plates all around the turret. The same turret was tested on the AMX-10RC chassis and was later renamed TML 105 after further modifications and was tested on the CV90, AMX-10RC and Vextra.

[Abaddon75 460]

at least this thing could become a french TAM (not the last moderne version though)

[Cedjoe 5,481]

1 hour ago, Abaddon75 said:

at least this thing could become a french TAM (not the last moderne version though)

Yeah, it's even more comparable to the CV90105 TML imo, which shares almost the same turret and a very similar chassis.

[OddPhenomena 1,015]

I would absolutely love to see all three added, though I am particularly excited for the 90mm and 105mm versions, the 25mm one might be a decent light tank / anti-aircraft mix as well.