ERC 20 Kriss

[OddPhenomena 1,015]

 

Tell me, have you ever been in your AMX-13 DCA 40, only to eat the dust of some R3 T20 going well over twice your speed? Have you ever been jealous of how fast some of those other anti-aircraft vehicles can fire? Well, mes amis, your trouble is over. Presenting the ERC 20 Kriss! Based on the Panhard ERC chassis, the ERC 20 Kriss offers mobility and firepower by way of a SAMM TAB220 turret mounting two 20mm M621 autocannons. The firepower will allow you to take down those pesky aircraft, while the mobility will allow you to metaphorically and literally catch up with the competition. The ERC 20 Kriss will also allow French players to fill the unfortunate gap between the AMX-13 DCA 40 and the AMX-30 DCA. With that being said, let's take a deep dive into the ERC 20, shall we?

 

History

Spoiler

A French ERC 90 of the Franco-German Brigade during exercises in Bavaria, September 1987.

 

Developed as a private venture by the famous Panhard company in the late 1970s, the ERC was aimed at the export market from the start, intended as a follow up to the extremely successful AML. The vehicle received orders from a few nations until the French Army placed an order in December of 1980 for the ERC 90 F4 'Sagaie' variant, equipped with a 90mm F4 gun. While the AMX-10RC would soon see service with the French Army in 1981, the ERC 90 was better suited towards fast deployments and mobile operations, as it could be transported in the Transall C-160 that the AMX-10RC would be too large and heavy for.

 

The ERC 20 Kriss.

 

During the 1981 biannual Satory exhibition, French companies were able to showcase some of their latest technology. Tucked away at the rear of the Panhard stand was a vehicle that had an ERC 90's chassis, but the turret wasn't the same. Derived from the SAMM S530 turret, this new vehicle mounted the improved SAMM TAB220 turret, equipped with two 20mm M621 autocannons. Firing 750 rounds per minute for a combined total of 1,500 rpm, the vehicle boasted impressive air defense capability. It was named the ERC 20 Kriss, with Kriss being the French word for a type of Indonesian dagger, fitting in with the theme of the ERC 90 'Sagaie' being nicknamed after a weapon. Each gun carried 280 rounds for a total of 560 rounds total, and the guns could elevate from -10° to +70°, and the M411 sight featured a 1x magnification, allowed for a horizontal FOV of 77°, and a vertical FOV of 32°. Included in the sight was a graticule for up to 1,300 meters in range, as well as marks for tracking aircraft. Seven L794B periscopes allowed for a 360° view for the turret crew. Unlike many anti-aircraft platforms of its day, the ERC 20 Kriss had no targeting or tracking radar, meaning the crew had to manually track targets.

 

An ERC 20 Kriss in service with Gabon during a parade.

 

While it provided a mobile and effective air defense system, only one country bought the ERC 20 Kriss in the end, Gabon. Along with 6 ERC 90 F4 Sagaie, Gabon also purchased 4 ERC 20 Kriss, all of which were still in active service as of 2021. Ultimately, the ERC 20 Kriss found a home, and served its role as a mobile anti-aircraft platform at the same time.

 

 

Specifications

Spoiler

 

• Mass: 8.3 t
• Length: 5.1 m
• Width: 2.49 m
• Height: 2.5 m
• Crew: 3 (Driver, gunner, commander)
• Armament: 2× 20mm M621 cannons
• Ammunition stowed: 280 rpg, 560 total
• Defensive armament: 2×2 smoke dischargers
• Engine: 155 hp Peugeot V6 petrol
• Maximum speed: 95 km/h
• Maximum range: 700 km

 

Sources

Spoiler

• International Defense Review 1981-08 article on Satory VIII
• http://daniel.rabbe.free.fr/fiches/panhard/erc/erc20.htm
• http://www.army-guide.com/eng/product936.html
• https://www.pmulcahy.com/wheeled_spaa/french_wspaa.htm
• https://weaponsystems.net/system/63-ERC-20 Kriss

• Cullen, T., & Foss, C. F. (1992). Jane’s land-based air defence: 1992-93. Jane’s Information Group.

 

Edited May 28, 2023 by OddPhenomena

[nxdefiant001 1,397]

Sir, that's a S530A turret (i e the one you see on AML)

Not the S530F (renamed TAB 220)  turret of the ERC 20 Kriss

Edited May 28, 2023 by nxdefiant001

[OddPhenomena 1,015]

1 hour ago, nxdefiant001 said:

Sir, that's a S530A turret (i e the one you see on AML)

Not the S530F (renamed TAB 220)  turret of the ERC 20 Kriss

Which picture is of the S530A? I can correct it.

[nxdefiant001 1,397]

53 minutes ago, OddPhenomena said:

Which picture is of the S530A? I can correct it.

 

This one

 

On 25/05/2023 at 07:45, OddPhenomena said:

 

 

S530F /TAB220 (you can use this one instead )

Spoiler

S530A

Spoiler

 

[OddPhenomena 1,015]

1 hour ago, nxdefiant001 said:

 

This one

 

 

S530F /TAB220 (you can use this one instead )

Reveal hidden contents

S530A

Reveal hidden contents

 

Thank you so much, I've corrected it!

[cervotoc123 129]

would be very nice vehicle the only problem i can see would be the amount of ammo since you would be out really quickly

[Kasukaru 2,164]

On 30/05/2023 at 11:50, cervotoc123 said:

would be very nice vehicle the only problem i can see would be the amount of ammo since you would be out really quickly

I suspect the 560 is only the turret load (1st ammo rack if you wish). The chassis has enough room for a lot more.

[cervotoc123 129]

On 31/05/2023 at 16:56, Kasukaru said:

I suspect the 560 is only the turret load (1st ammo rack if you wish). The chassis has enough room for a lot more.

i mean that would make sense but is there any source for that since we all know gaijin

[Hartsy1 32]

Pop it in at 6.0 and see how it gets on, it'll be a nice BR gap filler regardless, tho what's the turret slew rate? 

[JamesPond1200@psn 299]

France needs a lot more AA, and this seems a fine option! +1

[cervotoc123 129]

On 03/06/2023 at 18:53, Hartsy1 said:

Pop it in at 6.0 and see how it gets on, it'll be a nice BR gap filler regardless, tho what's the turret slew rate? 

afaik it should be 90°/s horizontaly and 50°/s verticaly 

Edited June 7, 2023 by cervotoc123

[Hartsy1 32]

2 hours ago, cervotoc123 said:

afaik it should be 90°/ horizontaly and 50°/ verticaly 

That'll be excellent then.