FRENCH LIGHT TANK Engin Leger de Combat: 90mm (ELC-EVEN)

This vehicle, whose name translates (loosely) into Light Fighting Unit is basicaUy a hull upon which one of four superstructures can be installed. These are:

a. The 90mm gun turret (shown).
b. A turret with two 30mm Hispano-Suiza HSS 831 automatic guns mounted side by side.
c. A turret with launching rails for two SS 12 or four SS 11 guided antitank missiles.
d. A command/radio vehicle.

The ELC-EVEN is quite small by contemporary standards but its powerful 90mm gun can defeat most modern main battle tanks. This vehicle is under test by the French Army.

EMPLOYMENT: Antitank units, experimental

MANUFACTURER: Societe Hotchkiss-Rive, D. T. A. 1 CREW: 2/3

COMBAT WEIGHT: 7. 5 metric tons

LENGTH: 17 ft. 4 in.

WIDTH: 7 ft.

HEIGHT: 5 ft. 11 in.

GROUND CLEARANCE: 12 in.

SPEED: 42 MPH, Road

TRENCH CROSSING ABILITY: 5 ft. 11 in.

FORDING DEPTH: 2 ft. 7 in.

OBSTACLE ABILITY: 2 ft.

CLIMBING ABILITY: 65% slope

RADIUS OF ACTION: 220 miles, road

FUEL: Gasoline

FUEL CAPACITY: 528 U. S. gal.

ENGINE: 4 cylinder, air cooled, SOFAM 4G5dE2

HORSEPOWER: 150

TRANSMISSION: 3 forward, 1 reverse speeds

STEERING: Probably clutch-brake

SUSPENSION: Torsion arm, coil spring apposed, five rubber tired road wheels and 4 return rollers, each side

TURRET: 360 degrees traverse, manual and power operation

ARMOR:
Hull: Front 0. 78 in.,
Sides 0. 28 in.,
Rear 0. 38 in., at 0°;
Turret: Front 0. 72 in.

ARMAMENT:
a. One D919B 90mm gun +12-1/2 -9 degrees
b. One 7. 5mm AAT52 machine gun

NO. ROUNDS CARRIED:
a. 90mm - 31 rds.

TRACK PITCH: 4 in.

TRACK CENTERS: 88 in.

TRACK WIDTH: 13 in.

TYPE TRACK: Steel dry pin, rubber pads

GROUND PRESSURE: 65 lb/sq. in.

[27]