french sam aa Panhard VBL ALBI-MISTRAL

[CaID 8,996]

I would like to suggest a nice SAM vehicle for the french TT. the Panhard VBL Mistral

 

the Panhard VBL ALbi-Mistral is a Export Version for anti-air-support of the Panhard VBL, armed with Mistral missile, the ALBI-MISTRAL is a anti-aircraft vehicle of type SAM, proposed for export since 2004 it saw some success in some of the 16 country user of the Panhard VBL, notably the Sultanate of Oman. the turret been designed by Albi, the VBL mistral is a rather low cost conversion of the VBL. carrying serial missiles and retaining the LMG mount on the front, the VBL mistral is mostly use for air-defence and reconnaissance.

Firepower

mainly armed by the short range Mistral missile the Albi twin mount turret, the VBL mistral is a good anti-aircraft light vehicles, the missile capable to reach the speed of 800 m/sec can destroy any plane at a range up to 6 km . they are fire-and-forget type of missiles with infrared guiding head . the VBL carry 2 missiles in the Albi turret and 4 more are stored inside of the hull. the VBL mistral also feature a LMG in a front ring at the usage of the commander for close fight.

 

Protection

the exact armour of the VBL is still classified, but the official unclassified details give it Stannag level 1 which mean the armour could be estimated to around 8mm all around which allow it to resist LMG fire and shrapnel but no more. there is no smoke making the vehicle rather vulnerable to any main armament. the crew of 3 men include a driver, a commander sitting at his side, and a gunner at the rear.

 

 

Mobility

been designed extra light to allow it to be carry on aircraft, the VBL weight less than 4 metric tons . the engine been a 95 hp Peugeot XD3T turbo-diesel , the power/weight ratio should be around 25 hp/ton making it a a very fast accelerating vehicles and have the same acceleration as the R3 T20 FA-HS found in the Italian tree (and infamous for his speed) the VBL is also amphibious making it capable to cross the river and lake as needed. capable to reach 95 km/h on the road , it would easily get to 60 km/h off-road . with each wheel been powered independently , the 4x4 vehicles can still crawl to cover if he lose 1 or 2 of his wheels.

 

Specifications
Mass	about 3.8 tonnes
Length	3.80 m (4.00 m long version)
Width	2.02 m
Height	1.70 m
Crew	3
Armour	STANAG level 1 (protection against 7.62×51 NATO rounds and shrapnel)
Main armament	Mistral missiles (6x)
Secondary armament	LMG of any type, (normally France would use the 7.62mm AN-F1)
Engine	Peugeot XD3T turbo-diesel 95 hp
Power/weight	25 hp/t
Suspension	0.35 m ground clearance
Operational range	600 to 800 km
Maximum speed	95 km/h on road 70 km/h average 5.4 km/h on water

 

Source

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Véhicule_Blindé_Léger

https://www.military-today.com/apc/vbl.htm

https://www.army-technology.com/projects/mistral-missile/

http://www.army-guide.com/eng/product4385.html

http://www.maquetland.com/article-phototheque/4495-vbl-albi-mistral-eurosatory-2012

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mistral_(missile)

http://www.generalequipment.info/PANHARD VBL.htm

Edited October 13, 2021 by CaID

[Thatz 637]

Open for discussion 

[Milocat 4,857]

+1 from me for sure, would be a great French SAM vehicle.

[CaID 8,996]

[Cedjoe 5,482]

Here's a picture of an additional missile storage compartment

Spoiler

Janes LBAD 92-93

 

[Hyrikul 2,633]

Now the wiesel familiy is here, it's more than welcome to see VBL family, with of course this AA variant !