Mk F3 155 mm
{{Infobox weapon
|name=Mk F3 155mm
|image=AMX-13-155mm img 2332.jpg
|image_size=300
|caption=
|origin=France
|type=Self-propelled artillery
|wars=
|service=1962–present
|used_by=See Operators
|is_vehicle=yes
|is_ranged=yes
|is_artillery=yes
|length={{convert|6.22|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|width={{convert|2.72|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|weight=17.41 tonnes
|height={{convert|2.085|m|ftin|abbr=on|sigfig=1}}
|manufacturer=GIAT
|production_date= 1962–1997
|number= 621
|cartridge=Separate loading bagged charge and {{convert|44|kg|lb|abbr=on}} projectile
|caliber=155 mm L/33 caliber
|action=
|rate=
|velocity={{convert|725|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on}}
|range=
|max_range={{convert|20|km|mi|abbr=on}}
|feed=
|sights=
|breech=Interrupted screw
|recoil=Hydro-pneumatic
|carriage=Tracked
|elevation=-6° to +75°
|traverse=360°
|suspension=Torsion-bar with shock absorbers
|speed={{convert|60|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} on road
|vehicle_range={{convert|300|km|mi|abbr=on}}
|armour={{convert|20|mm|in|abbr=on}}
|primary_armament=155mm 33-calibre howitzer
|engine=SOFAM Model 8Gxb 8-cylinder water-cooled 250 HP petrol engine
|pw_ratio=14.4 hp/tonne
|crew= 2 + 2 in the vehicle
8-man crew to fire the gun
}}
The 155 mm self-propelled gun Mk F3, or the Canon de 155 mm Mle F3 Automoteur (Cn-155-F3-Am), was developed in the early 1950s by the French Army to replace their American M41 Gorilla 155 mm self-propelled guns. The Mk F3 is the smallest and lightest 155 mm motorized gun carriage ever produced, and because of its size and low cost it has found considerable success on the export market. Constructed on a modified AMX-13 light tank chassis, the Mk F3 is novel in incorporating room inside for only two of the eight required crewmen (the others riding in support vehicles). This allows the 155 mm gun to be placed on a smaller chassis than that employed by other armies, but exposes the outside crew members to enemy fire and other hazards.
Design
File:Position de batterie.jpg support truck, during a military exercise in 1980.]]
History
It was used by Al Jahra Force during Kippur War on Syrian front. Morocco used its Mk F3 during Western Sahara War.
Iraq captured or destroyed 80 of these guns during the invasion of Kuwait.{{citation|quote=Kuwait had loaned a battery of French 155mm Mk F3 SP guns to Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War and a further 80 fell into Iraqi hands after the invasion. |title=Armies of the Gulf War |first1=Gordon L. |last1= Rottman |first2=Ronald |last2=Volstad |publisher=Osprey Publishing |date=1993 |isbn=978-1-85532-277-6 |page=49}}
Variants
- The Mk F3 has been offered by GIAT with Detroit Diesel 6V-53T and Baudouin 6F 11 SRY engines.{{cite encyclopedia|date=12 February 2002|encyclopedia=Jane's Armour and Artillery 2002–2003|title=Giat Industries 155 mm self-propelled gun Mk F3|first=Christopher F.|last=Foss}}
- RDM Technology upgraded variant: in 1991, the Dutch company RDM Technology was contracted to upgrade 22 Mk F3s in service with Qatar. They were fitted with a Detroit Diesel Model 6V-53T turbocharged diesel engine and a new transmission.
- The CITER 155mm L33 gun reused many components of the Mk F3.{{cite encyclopedia|date=21 February 2002|encyclopedia=Jane's Armour and Artillery 2002–2003|title=155 mm howitzer L33 X1415 CITEFA Models 77 and 81|first=Christopher F.|last=Foss}}
Operators
= Current operators =
- {{CYP}} - 12{{sfn|The Military Balance 2019|p=96}}
- {{ECU}} - 10 or 12, 5 in service {{as of|lc=yes|2019}}{{sfn|The Military Balance 2019|p=414}}
- {{KUW}} - 18, in reserve in 2002{{sfn|The Military Balance 2019|p=352}}
- {{MAR}} - 98, 90 in service {{as of|lc=yes|2019}}{{sfn|The Military Balance 2019|p=359}}
- {{QAT}} - 28, 22 upgraded from 1991{{sfn|The Military Balance 2019|p=364}}
- {{UAE}} - 18{{sfn|The Military Balance 2019|p=373}}
- {{SUD}} - 6 or 10{{sfn|The Military Balance 2019|p=493}}
= Former operators =
- {{ARG}} - 24 (until 2018){{cite news|title=Día de la Artillería, el arma de apoyo de fuego|url=https://www.argentina.gob.ar/noticias/dia-de-la-artilleria-el-arma-de-apoyo-de-fuego|accessdate=30 June 2022|website=Argentina.gob.ar|date=12 December 2018}}
- {{CHI}} - 20 (8 purchased from France in 1970s and 12 second-hand units purchased from Belgium in 1990s. All have been removed from service, replaced by 48 M-109){{cn|date=October 2019}}
- {{FRA}}
- {{IRQ}} - captured from Kuwait.
- {{PER}} - 12
- {{VEN}} - 12 to 20, replaced by 2S19 Msta-S{{sfn|The Military Balance 2019|p=434}}
References
= Notes =
{{reflist}}
= Bibliography =
- {{cite book |last= Trewhitt |first= Philip |title= Armored Fighting Vehicles |year= 1999 |page= 115 |publisher= Amber Books |location= New York, NY |isbn = 0-7607-1260-3}}
- {{cite book|title=The Military Balance 2019|date=February 2019|publisher=International Institute for Strategic Studies|ref={{harvid|The Military Balance 2019}}|isbn=978-1857439885}}
- {{cite book |last= Offord |first= Colonel E. F |title= Armour in Profile No.12 |year= 1967}}
- {{cite book |last= Lau |first= Peter |title= The AMX-13 Light Tank, Volume 1: Chassis |year= 2006}}
- {{cite book |last= Lau |first= Peter |title= The AMX-13 Light Tank, Volume 2: Turret |year= 2006}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20110613023051/http://www.chars-francais.net/new/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=715&Itemid=36 History, Characteristics & Photo Gallery - Site Chars Francais.net, retrieved 2009-03-08] {{in lang|fr}}
{{ColdWarFrenchAFVs}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
Category:Tracked self-propelled howitzers