War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

HSTV-L

2022-01-18T16:49:26Z

U81856032:

{{Specs-Card
|code=us_hstv_l
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American light tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Starfighters"]].

== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}

The HSTV-L is a very lightly-armoured vehicle. Depending on where you get shot you might lose 1 crew member but you will still be alive. If you get shot on the left side of the vehicle from the front, the chances of your ammo rack detonating greatly increases. Best case scenario for this vehicle is to not get hit in the first place.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 25.4 mm (80°) ''Upper Glacis'' {{annotation|25.4 mm|Estimated through calculation of effective thickness at angle.}} (55°) ''Lower Glacis (Upper Part)'' {{annotation|25.4 mm|Estimated through calculation of effective thickness at angle.}} (78°) ''Lower Glacis (Lower Part)''
| 25.4 mm ''Upper Sponson Side'' 19 mm ''Lower Sponson Side'' 38.1 mm ''Lower Hull Side''
| 25.4 mm || 19 mm ''Engine Compartment'' 5 mm ''Radiator Vents''
|-
| Turret || 25.4 mm ''Turret front'' 25.4 mm ''Gun mantlet'' || 25.4 mm || 25.4 mm || 25.4 mm
|-
| Cupola || colspan="4" | 25.4 mm
|-
|Additional Armour
|| {{annotation|25.4 mm|Estimated through calculation of effective thickness at angle.}} (80°) ''Upper Glacis'' || {{annotation|25.4 mm|Estimated through calculation of effective thickness at angle.}} ''Frontal Sponson Side (Upper & Lower)'' 12.7 mm ''Frontal Sideskirts'' 8 mm ''Rear Sideskirts'' || colspan="2" |N/A
|-
|}

'''Notes:'''

* Lower glacis (both parts) is variable thickness armour.
* Upper glacis and frontal sponson sides appliqué armour is variable thickness armour.

=== Mobility ===
{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}


{{tankMobility|abMinHp=1,007|rbMinHp=575}}

The HSTV-L has a very good power-to-weight ratio making the vehicle decently fast. The vehicle utilizes a 648 HP gas turbine engine. The HSTV-L is very manoeuvrable due to the gas turbine engine and can get to flanking spots early in the game. However, caution must be taken in regards to the loud engine noise, especially when trying to avoid close quarters combat.

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

'''<big>Unlock order recommendations</big>'''

The order of modifications should be well thought out. Below is a guide of which modifications to unlock first, but it is just a recommendation and can be modified or adapted depending on the tank commander's preferences.

'''Tier 1'''

Tier 1 only has useful modifications but the number one priority should be parts which allows the tank to repair during battle, something that comes in handy in a majority of battles. After that tracks is something that could be researched second as its mobility is more reliant on the tracks upgrade than the firepower is on horizontal drive.

'''Tier 2'''

Moving on to tier 2, this tier is harder to pick modifications from because in general they are less useful modifications, but only two are needed before moving to tier 3. FPE and adjustment of fire are the likeliest candidates except in cases where the goal is to use the scouting ability to spawn planes, in which either of the two could be replaced by airstrike. It's best to move on to tier 3 after two tier 2 modifications are researched.

'''Tier 3'''

In tier 3 it gets more interesting with a number of useful modifications; three modifications are needed to get to tier 4. All the modifications in this tier are useful so some hard choices have to be made. Due to a decent stock elevation speed the elevation mechanism mod isn't strictly necessary and can be put off until later. Smoke grenades are good for concealing the vehicle to make a hasty escape or try to prevent the enemy from hitting the tank, the laser rangefinder is useful for making accurate shots at range which is also very important as the gun does not have much penetration so well aimed shots are necessary, crew replenishment is useful as always, and filters are beneficial to the mobility. It's recommended to unlock laser rangefinder and smoke grenades and then choose between filters and crew replenishment before then moving on to tier 4.

'''Tier 4'''

The most important modifications in tier 4 are NVD to give access to thermal sights for easier spotting of enemies and also the engine modification which greatly increases mobility.

'''Finishing up'''

After tier 4 is unlocked and the priority modifications there are unlocked it is time to clean up the remaining modifications. The order of unlocking modifications at this point is less important but there are a few that should be left until last - suspension and brake system which are generally the least important modifications on any given ground vehicle.

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
=== Main armament ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}

{{main|XM274 (75 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[XM274 (75 mm)|75 mm XM274]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
|-
! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
|-
! ''Arcade''
| rowspan="2" | 26 || rowspan="2" | -17°/+45° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Two-plane || 54.3 || 75.1 || 91.2 || 100.9 || 107.3 || rowspan="2" | 1.5 || rowspan="2" | 1.5 || rowspan="2" | 1.5 || rowspan="2" | 1.5
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 33.9 || 39.9 || 48.5 || 53.6 || 57.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" | Type of warhead
! colspan="6" | Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
|-
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
|-
| XM885 || APFSDS || 276 || 269 || 262 || 252 || 243 || 234
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="10" | Shell details
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" | Type of warhead
! rowspan="2" | Velocity (m/s)
! rowspan="2" | Projectile Mass (kg)
! rowspan="2" | Fuse delay (m)
! rowspan="2" | Fuse sensitivity (mm)
! rowspan="2" | Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g)
! colspan="3" | Ricochet
|-
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
|-
| XM885 || APFSDS || 1,463 || 2.2 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 78° || 80° || 81°
|-
|}

==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full ammo
! 1st rack empty
! 2nd rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''26''' || 7 ''(+19)'' || 1 ''(+25)'' || No
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Rack 2 is a ready rack, so although shells deplete from that rack after firing, it will refill from rack 1.

=== Machine guns ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|3}}

{{main|M240 (7.62 mm)}}

The HSTV-L has 2 M240 machine guns. One is fixed to the gun mantlet and the other is mounted on the Commander's cupola. These machine guns can be used to mark enemies for your allies and can also be used to shoot down some lighter aircraft, but be careful as shooting them will give away your location and can result in them strafing and destroying your vehicle.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[M240 (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm M240]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 1,600 (200) || 941 || N/A || N/A
|-
| Pintle || 1,600 (200) || 941 || -10°/+69° || -180°/+20°
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

The HSTV-L is a light tank with a quick ready-rack reload, making it adept at dealing with multiple enemies in ambush situations. It can achieve a very good top speed thanks to its light weight and has a similarly good turning ability. With this mobility (which is on par with that of top MBTs), the HSTV-L can achieve desirable early-game positions and move quickly around the map when necessary.

Like most light tanks, this vehicle is lacking in the protection department. It has thin armour in all directions, which is not backed up by any spaced or composite protection, and is susceptible to hull-break. In some situations, the armour may be thin enough that kinetic rounds overpenetrate and pass straight through the vehicle without causing much damage. The highly-angled armour can also sometimes bounce shots. In most cases though, the HSTV-L cannot be counted on to sustain heavy fire.

This tank is fairly unique in that it is equipped with an autoloader that can fire every 1.5 seconds, without ever needing to stop to replenish a ready-rack.The shell itself, an APFSDS round, is decent, but may have trouble penetrating the frontal armour of top MBTs. This combined with the vehicle's poor armour means that head-on attacks are rarely advisable, but with the quick reload, multiple shots into an enemy's sides or rear will be very effective.

The HSTV-L is better suited to firing at enemies without their noticing--from ambush positions, from the flanks, and from behind corners. The vehicle's great mobility will aid with this playstyle. Indeed, its mobility is what makes the HSTV-L great on urban maps. Furthermore, in ambush situations the tank is able to easily deal with multiple enemies thanks to its fast ready-rack reload. This tank has a 45 degree gun elevation and a 17 degree gun depression. This gun depression is extremely powerful, and makes the vehicle very effective at hill camping and at firing from behind ridgelines. A thermal sight in both gunner and commander/binocular views makes the HSTV-L a great scouting vehicle. It is recommended to use the vehicle's high mobility to aid in scouting enemies for teammates to locate and destroy.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Thanks to the autoloader, the cannon has a very high rate of fire (1.5s reload time)
* Due to its light armour some kinetic rounds may over penetrate, leaving it undamaged
* Excellent urban fighting vehicle as in uptiers, side shots are much more effective
* Internal 30 mm armour can help protect crew from spalling
* Thermal sights for both gunner and commander make it a great scouting vehicle
* Up to 45° elevation and -30° depression over the sides (-17° depression to the front, -6° depression when facing rear)
* Very good gun handling

'''Cons:'''

* Commander's cupola can be penetrated by heavy machine gun fire
* Limited ammo capacity
* Limited ammo selection
* APFSDS round has low penetration and has problems penetrating frontal armour of some MBTs
* The XM855 APFSDS dart causes minimal damage to modules or crew members after penetration due to its calibre (reduced spall)

== History ==

'''<big>Development</big>'''

The High Survivability Test Vehicle - Lightweight, shortened to HSTV-L, was a light tank project that was developed in the 1970's and 1980's. It was funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and built by the AAI Corporation. The prototype was completed in September 1979 and began field trials soon after. After the field trials the HSTV-L was used for testing of the fire control system (FCS) with different stabilization algorithms tested as well as the hunter-killer sights. The HSTV-L was not chosen for production by the Army or the Marine Corps and was cancelled in 1981. It was later developed into the Rapid Deployment Force Light Tank (RDF/LT).

'''Design'''

'''General'''

The HSTV-L design was based around an incredibly low profile hull and turret with very shallow angles on the frontal portion, in order to deflect projectiles fired at it. The HSTV-L had a crew of 3, with the driver and gunner side by side in the hull front and the commander in the left side of the turret, all of whom sat semi-reclined. All 3 crew members had the ability to fire the gun and both the gunner and driver's position could drive the vehicle. The vehicle had a length of 8.528 m with gun forward and the hull had a length of 5.918 m. The height was only 2.414 m including the equipment on the turret roof, being 1.994 m to the top of the turret and 1.422 m to the top of the hull. The width was 2.794 meters. The vehicle had a combat weight of 14.5 tonnes or up to 17.0 tonnes when equipped with an appliqué armor package. During testing the HSTV-L was fitted with additional equipment for data collection and weighed 20.45 tonnes. The HSTV-L could be airlifted, underslung, by a CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter when at the weight of 14.5 tonnes.

'''Mobility and Power'''

The HSTV-L was propelled by a 650 horsepower (485 kilowatt) Avro-Lycoming gas turbine powerplant and an Allison X-300-4A transmission with four forward and two reverse gears. The transmission had a torque converter. There were five road wheels on each side and the tracks were 450 mm wide. The suspension was built by National Water Lift, being hydropneumatic but not variable; in other words the height could not be adjusted. The ground clearance of the HSTV-L was 0.508 m. The HSTV-L could pivot in place while in neutral gear, and it carried a fuel load of 409 liters giving it a cruising range of 160 km. It could accelerate from 0 to 48 kph in 11.8 seconds and had a maximum speed of 83.68 km/h.

In addition to the main propulsion system there were two 250 ampere generators providing auxiliary power as well as a 60 gpm hydraulic pump. The hydraulic pump was used to power an oil cooler fan mounted in the engine compartment as well as the gun control system and automatic loading system.

'''Armament and FCS'''

The main armament of the HSTV-L was an ARES 75 mm XM274 gun mounted in a rotating turret. 26 rounds of ammunition were provided of both depleted-uranium APFSDS-T and multi-fléchette anti-aircraft rounds. The gun was loaded by an automatic loading system which provided the HSTV-L with a high rate of fire.

Secondary armament was provided by a coaxial 7.62 mm M240 machine gun and a second 7.62 mm M240 machine gun pintle-mounted on the commander's cupola. A total of 3,200 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition was split between the two machine guns.

The turret could rotate a full 360 degrees at a speed of 57 degrees per second. The gun could elevate 45 degrees but the depression depended on which direction the turret faced; over the front the gun could depress 17 degrees, 30 degrees over the side, and 6 degrees over the rear of the vehicle. Manual backup was provided for turret traverse and gun elevation but the rate at which they moved was much slower when manual than with power. The main gun was two-plane stabilized, with both the stabilization and gun control systems having been produced by Cadillac Gage.

The hunter/killer fire control system (FCS) was designed and built by Texas Instruments. The commander received a stabilized commander's independent thermal viewer (CITV) which could rotate independently of the turret and included both TV and thermal imaging. The gunner also received a stabilized sight, though this one was slaved to the gun, which included thermal and TV imaging as well, along with an eye safe CO2 laser rangefinder built by Raytheon. This hunter/killer system allowed the commander to locate a target with the hunter sight. Once a target was located the gunner would use his killer sight to fire on the target while the commander began to search for the next target. The fire control system (FCS) used the sights, crosswind sensor, muzzle reference system, vertical reference system, and laser rangefinder to automatically determine the firing solution, leaving the gunner only to fire the gun. The fully stabilized main gun along with advanced FCS allowed the HSTV-L a high first hit probability and high accuracy on the move.

The driver and gunner are given a screen that displays the imaging of the hunter sight which allows them to operate independently of a vehicle commander if necessary. Theoretically, the HSTV-L could be controlled entirely by only one crew member from either the driver or gunner's position since both had driving and gunnery controls.

=== [[wt:en/news/6711-development-hstv-l-view-of-tomorrow-en|Devblog]] ===
By the mid 1970's, the US military initiated a series of studies which looked into the development of new concepts and designs for tanks which combined good firepower and survivability. The latter of which was to be achieved through a smaller size, rather than heavy armor protection.

As at the time, both the US Army and USMC were looking into possible replacements for their M551 Sheridan and M50 Ontos tanks respectively, the two military branches joined forces in a joint research programme dubbed "ARMVAL" (Advanced Antiarmor Vehicle Evaluation). The vehicles developed under this programme would be used as test beds for various new concepts and ideas in an effort to gain new experiences, which would in turn be used in the development of future tank designs.

One of the later products of this experimental programme was the HSTV-L - a compact, lightweight, highly mobile tank design, fitted with an autoloaded 75mm smoothbore cannon, designed to fire kinetic ammunition in short bursts in order to wear down and ultimately defeat composite armor screens. The HSTV-L was built in 1979 and underwent various trials until 1981.

At the start of the 1980's, the 75mm gun was considered inadequate to deal with the most recent Soviet MBTs by the Army, while the USMC questioned the vehicle's effectiveness in amphibious landing operations. This led to the ultimate discontinuation of the collaborative project in 1981.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=us_hstv_l Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150">
File:HSTV-L WTWallpaper 01.jpg|
File:HSTV-L WTWallpaper 02.jpg|
File:HSTV-L WTWallpaper 03.jpg|
File:HSTV-L WTWallpaper 04.jpg|
File:HSTV-L WTWallpaper 05.jpg|
File:HSTV-L WTWallpaper 06.jpg|
File:HSTV-L WTWallpaper 07.jpg|
</gallery>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|C5cw-_dXhFE|'''The Shooting Range #203''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:30 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.|6qzHOvgOWug|'''HSTV-L - Tank History and Review''' - ''Spookston''|PosWOnOGkSo|'''Best experimental vehicles''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 4:00 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}

== See also ==


;Light tanks at similar positions in other tech trees:

* [[TAM 2C]]
* [[Object 685]]
* [[VFM5]]
* [[CV 90105 TML]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/6711-development-hstv-l-view-of-tomorrow-en|[Devblog] HSTV-L: View of Tomorrow]]
* [https://tanknutdave.com/the-american-hstvl-tank/ <nowiki>[TankNutDave.com]</nowiki> The American HSTV(L) Tank]

{{TankManufacturer AAI Corporation}}
{{USA light tanks}}

A-4E Early

2022-01-18T16:44:26Z

U81856032: A few vocabulary issues I noted (phrases, terms)

{{About
| about = American strike aircraft '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = A-4 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=a_4e_early
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a squadron rank {{Specs|rank}} American strike aircraft {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced during [[Update "New Power"]].

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

The A-4E behaves like the A-4B, with excellent manoeuvrability at speed, aided by the automatic wing slats. However, the aircraft's poor energy retention during turns is profound, and airspeed will drop down to about 320 km/h (200 mph) after more than a 90 degree turn. Overall, it can turn with [[G.91 (Family)|G.91s]] and MiG-15s without issue, however extended dogfights should be avoided. If uptiered, flight performance leaves much to be desired, it can be outmanoeuvred even by the [[Yak-38 (Family)|Yak-38]] or [[F-104 (Family)|F-104]] in a dogfight.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - sea level)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 1,066 || 1,057 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 37.9 || 39.0 || 29.5 || 26.7 || rowspan="2" | 900
|-
! Upgraded
| 1,096 || 1,081 || 36.5 || 37.0 || 51.4 || 40.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 592 || 562 || 410 || ~8 || ~3
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 450 || < 700 || < 490 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="5" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic Mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Pratt & Whitney J52-P-6A || 1
| colspan="2" | 4,679 kg || colspan="3" | 296 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 12m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 40m fuel
|-
| 900 kg || colspan="2" | Axial-flow turbojet
| 5,419 kg || 5,913 kg || 6,530 kg || 7,147 kg || 11,113 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="5" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 12m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 40m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 3,470 kgf || N/A
| 0.64 || 0.59 || 0.53 || 0.49 || 0.31
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 3,470 kgf (0 km/h) || N/A
| 0.64 || 0.59 || 0.53 || 0.49 || 0.31
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}


* 2.54 mm steel surrounding bottom half of the pilot
* 50 mm bulletproof glass in front of the cockpit

The front half of the plane holds the pilot and a self-sealing fuel tank. The wings hold non self-sealing fuel tanks, and the back half of the plane holds the engine.

One single well-placed round from an [[ADEN (30 mm)|ADEN]] cannon can completely cripple the plane by taking out the pilot or an engine. It is completely open to attack from the side and front although it can be armed with flares. Overall, survivability is quite poor, and players should minimize their chance of being hit.

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | [[Ballistic Computer]]
|-
! CCIP (Guns) !! CCIP (Rockets) !! CCIP (Bombs) !! CCRP (Bombs)
|-
| {{Cross}} || {{Cross}} || {{Cross}} || {{Tick}}
|-
|}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|Browning-Colt Mk12 Mod 0 (20 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* A choice between two presets:
** 2 x 20 mm Browning-Colt Mk12 Mod 0 cannons, wing-mounted (100 rpg = 200 total)
** 2 x 20 mm Browning-Colt Mk12 Mod 0 cannons + 60 x countermeasures

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}

{{main|LDGP Mk 81 (250 lb)|LDGP Mk 82 (500 lb)|M117 cone 45 (750 lb)|LDGP Mk 83 (1,000 lb)|LDGP Mk 84 (2,000 lb)}}
{{main|AGM-62A Walleye I (505 kg)|AGM-12B Bullpup|AGM-12C Bullpup|AIM-9B Sidewinder}}
{{main|FFAR Mighty Mouse|Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP|Mk 11 mod 5 (20 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

* Without load
* 3 x 20 mm Mk 11 mod 5 cannons (750 rpg = 2,250 total)
* 20 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (5,000 lb total)
* 14 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (7,000 lb total)
* 3 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs (2,250 lb total)
* 1 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bomb (750 lb total) + 114 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
* 1 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bomb (750 lb total) + 24 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
* 1 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bomb (750 lb total) + 4 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles
* 1 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bomb (750 lb total) + 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles
* 5 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (5,000 lb total)
* 1 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bomb (2,000 lb total)
* 5 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles
* 2 x AGM-12C Bullpup missiles
* 171 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
* 36 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
* 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles
* 114 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets + 6 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (1,500 lb total)
* 114 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets + 6 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (3,000 lb total)
* 24 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets + 6 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (1,500 lb total)
* 24 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets + 6 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (3,000 lb total)
* 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles + 133 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
* 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles + 28 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
* 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles + 18 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (4,500 lb total)
* 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles + 12 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (6,000 lb total)
* 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles + 3 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (3,000 lb total)
* 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles + 8 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles + 8 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (4,000 lb total)
* 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles + 3 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (3,000 lb total)
* 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles + 1 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bomb (2,000 lb total)
* 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles + 3 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles
* 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles + 95 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
* 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles + 20 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
* 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles + 1 x 20 mm Mk 11 mod 5 cannon (750 rpg)
* 2 x 505 kg AGM-62A Walleye I bombs (1,010 kg total)
* 2 x 505 kg AGM-62A Walleye I bombs + 6 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (2,510 lb total)
* 2 x 505 kg AGM-62A Walleye I bombs + 6 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (4,010 lb total)
* 2 x 505 kg AGM-62A Walleye I bombs + 1 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bomb (1,760 lb total)
* 2 x 505 kg AGM-62A Walleye I bombs + 3 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (4,010 lb total)

== Usage in battles ==

In Air Realistic battles, one can take any combination of 3 paths due to the wide array of armament. First, one can use the attacker air spawn to your advantage with either the 2 x [[AIM-9B Sidewinder]]s, the 2 x [[AIM-9B Sidewinder|AIM-9Bs]] and the 20 mm gunpod, or a triple gunpod array. The airspawn will assist with your ascend, preferably to 5,000 meters, and either engage fighters trying to climb, or pounce on the low flying [[Vautour IIA IDF/AF (France)|Vautour]] bombers common at this BR. However, if uptiered, especially versus Britain with the [[Harrier GR.1]], this is not a good option, as you cannot climb with them, and they will bounce you. If this is the case, equip either [[FFAR Mighty Mouse|FFAR]] or [[Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP|Zuni]] rocket pods or [[AGM-12B Bullpup|AGM-12]] Bullpups, and attack ground targets. The last option is to use the wide array of bombs, preferably the 14 x 500 lb loadout, and damage enemy bases (you can destroy one or even two) with them. Then, return to base and optionally respawn with [[AIM-9B Sidewinder|AIM-9s]] to finish off damaged enemies.

In Ground RB, the preferable secondary armaments are the [[FFAR Mighty Mouse|FFAR]] or [[Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP|Zuni]] rocket pods, or the 5 x [[AGM-12B Bullpup|AGM-12B]] missiles. These missiles, with enough practice, function like a precision 250 lb bomb that is guided to the target, most of the time destroying it. The A-4E can be well paired with the [[XM-803]], [[MBT-70]], [[XM-1 (GM)|XM-1]], or the [[HSTV-L]] to form a good lineup.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Can be armed with 5 [[AGM-12B Bullpup]] missiles
* Has loadouts with [[AIM-9B Sidewinder]] missiles to either defend itself or play the role of a fighter
* Researchable flares are a good counter to IR guided missiles it may face at its BR
* [[AGM-12B Bullpup]] is a tier I modification
* Can use its airspawn to help play the role of a fighter
* High roll rate

'''Cons:'''

* Subsonic
* Mediocre climb rate compared to planes it can face
* [[AIM-9B Sidewinder]] missiles are tier III modifications
* Gun pods are tier IV modifications
* Stock armament of just 2 x 20 mm cannons with minimal ammunition makes for a hard stock grind
* Using the the Walleye TV-guided bomb requires you to fly straight toward enemies and expose your aircraft to retaliatory fire (SAMs)

== History ==

The A4D-5 Skyhawk was an improved model of the A4D-2N (designated A-4C in 1962). The main improvement came in the form of the more powerful Pratt & Whitney J52-P-6A engine, producing 8,400 pounds of thrust. In addition to the new powerplant, the A4D-5 also received two more wing-mounted stores pylons, for a total of five. The avionics were also improved, including a new TACAN system and a toss-bombing computer. Later in their service life, many A-4E Skyhawks were upgraded with the fuselage avionics pod J52-P-8 engine (with 9,300 pounds of thrust) from the A-4F.

The A4D-5 first flew in July 1961, and was renamed to A-4E in 1962 after the Tri-Service Aircraft Designation System came into effect. The A-4E entered production in December of 1962; a total of 499 A-4E Skyhawks would be delivered to the US Navy and Marine Corps starting in January 1963.

The A-4E began to see combat in Vietnam after arriving in early 1965, but it did not fully replace the earlier Skyhawks such as the A-4C. After opening in June 1965, the Chu Lai Short Airfield for Tactical Support (SATS) housed Marine A-4E Skyhawks. The Skyhawks landed using arrestor wires and took off by rocket-assisted takeoff (RATO). Throughout the Vietnam War, A-4 Skyhawks were used to provide close air support (CAS) for Marine Corps ground forces, primarily using bombs and rockets. A total of 362 A-4s of all types were lost during the Vietnam War, including non combat losses. 271 were from the US Navy, and 91 were from the Marine Corps.

During the war, many A-4Es and A-4Fs were used in the United States for training purposes. They had their armament - including external stores - removed and their slats fixed, and were used as aggressors (where they would act as enemy aircraft for training). In the aggressor role, an A-4 was called 'Mongoose'.

;1965 Philippine Sea Incident

It was December 5, 1965. This was the time of the Cold War and Vietnam War. Sailing 70 miles from the nearest island, 200 miles from Okinawa, was the USS ''Ticonderoga'', carrying Attack Squadron 56 (VA-56) consisting of A-4E attack jets that were carrying nuclear bombs. Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Douglas M. Webster, pilot of Douglas A-4E BuNo 151022 was performing a training exercise in his jet, rolling from hangar 2 to elevator 2. The jet was carrying a one megaton B43 thermonuclear bomb. An unspecified accident occurred, and the jet rolled off the deck. After a search, neither the pilot, the jet, nor the bomb was ever found, they likely sank the 16,000 ft (4,900 m) to the ocean floor. This was just one of the many "broken arrow" incidents during the Cold War.

The incident was acknowledged in 1981, but was misleading and it was fully revealed in 1989 due to a diplomatic inquiry by Japan. Lt. Cmdr. James Culda said on May 8, 1989 that "the environmental impact is expected to be nil", as the bomb was not armed and poses no threat at 4,900 m under the sea.

=== [[wt:en/news/6963-development-a-4e-skyhawk-heinemann-s-hot-rod-grows-up-en|Devblog]] ===
The beginning of the jet era and the escalation of the Cold War forced the US naval aviation command to look for a replacement for the very successful carrier-based piston-engine AD Skyraider, with the possibility of delivering a tactical nuclear weapon in the area of operation of an aircraft carrier group. With the beginning of the military campaign in Korea, the Douglas Aircraft Company began developing a carrier-based attack aircraft with an unconventional approach - instead of pursuing engine power, usually bringing weight and large size to the aircraft, Ed Heinemann's team concentrated on finding ways to lighten the construction, keeping it under 12,000 lbs.

The projected aircraft was a fairly compact, lightweight jet fighter-attacker with a delta-shaped wing and a competently lightweight design. This is how the A-4A Skyhawk was born, one of the first jet-based carrier-based aircraft capable of carrying a nuclear bomb. The aircraft was distinguished by its simplicity of design, practical controls with excellent flight characteristics for its time. Soon, in 1956, the A-4B version appeared, capable of carrying a huge variety of mounted weapons on three suspension points, including guided missiles.

Thus, "Skyhawk" had become a truly universal carrier-based aircraft, capable of solving the entire spectrum of tasks for US Naval Aviation. A rather noticeable drawback of the attack aircraft was still the limited range of action, also army types always wanted to increase the weapon load. In 1961, Douglas presented an improved version of the aircraft with five pylons for armament and a new engine, which compensated for a heavier combat load, and also increased the range of the attack aircraft. It was the A-4E that became one of the most massive Skyhawk modifications and formed the image of a modern carrier-based attack aircraft. The "E" version was actively involved in the Vietnam War, and later, up till the end of the 80's, was used to simulate enemy aircraft in training dogfights.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=a_4e_early Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<gallery mode="packed" caption="A-4E Early Devblog Images" heights="200">
File:A-4E Early WTWallpaper 001.jpg|
File:A-4E Early WTWallpaper 002.jpg|
File:A-4E Early WTWallpaper 003.jpg|
File:A-4E Early WTWallpaper 004.jpg|
File:A-4E Early WTWallpaper 005.jpg|
File:A-4E Early WTWallpaper 006.jpg|
</gallery>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|KdpicoF_WJI|'''The Scary Scooter: {{PAGENAME}} Skyhawk Review''' - ''Sako Sniper''|1Zaxu0b_Yvo|'''Wing Snapper KING! {{PAGENAME}} - USA - Review!''' - ''Jengar''}}

== See also ==
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/6963-development-a-4e-skyhawk-heinemann-s-hot-rod-grows-up-en|[Devblog] A-4E Skyhawk: Heinemann's Hot-Rod grows up]]
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/538311-douglas-a-4e/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]
* [http://www.alternatewars.com/SAC/A-4E_Skyhawk_SAC_-_1_July_1967.pdf Standard Aircraft Characteristics of the A-4E]

=== References ===

;Bibliography

* A-4E Skyhawk: Pacific Coast Air Museum: Navy Attack Plane. (2019, December 17). Retrieved December 12, 2020, from https://pacificcoastairmuseum.org/aircraft/a-4e-skyhawk/
* A-4 Skyhawk Production. (n.d.). Retrieved December 12, 2020, from http://skyhawk.org/content/douglas-4-skyhawk-production-history
* Standard Aircraft Characteristics Navy Model A-4E Aircraft. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.alternatewars.com/SAC/A-4E_Skyhawk_SAC_-_1_July_1967.pdf

{{AirManufacturer Douglas}}
{{USA jet aircraft}}
{{Squadron aircraft}}

AMX-30 (1972)

2021-12-01T18:03:27Z

U81856032: History of the tank used during the 17th of November 1973.

{{About
|about= French medium tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
|usage= other versions
|link= AMX-30 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=fr_amx_30_1972
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} French medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.75 "La Résistance"]].

The [[AMX-30]] was first issued in August 1966, with the first 5 units being assigned to 501''e Régiment de Chars de Combat'' (Combat Tank Regiment). The AMX-30 is the first tank to use France's very own 105 mm gun, the [[CN-105-F1 (105 mm)|CN-105-F1]] designed in tandem with the Obus G spin stabilized High Explosive Anti-Tank round; a [[Browning M2HB (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm M2HB]] heavy machine gun for a co-axial, and a [[AAN-F1 (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm]] machine gun on the cupola. At the time, it weighed a light 36 tons (metric) compared to the [[Leopard I|Leopard's]] 40 tons, but overall has a lower hp/ton ratio due to the usage of a weaker engine. The AMX-30 mod. 1972 saw the replacement of the [[Browning M2HB (12.7 mm)|M2HB]] co-axial machine gun with a [[20F2 (20 mm)|20 mm 20F2 autocannon]] with the ability to elevate from -8° to 40° (20° higher than the main gun) in order to target light armoured Vehicles and helicopters

As previously mentioned, the 105 mm gun on the AMX-30 is France's own, and designed with a particular shell in mind, the OCC 105 "Obus G". This shell works by having the HEAT warhead mounted on bearings to an outer shell by bearings, thus keeping the accuracy of a normal rotating HEAT shell with the penetrative power of non-rotating HEAT Fin Stabilized shell, supposedly making the shot more accurate at longer ranges. This shell and the revision from a .50 cal to a 20 mm autocannon suggest this tank was modernized for long-range combat in a highly mobile package which could be a reflection of the French's army exceptions, possibly that fighting over the fields of France.

== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}

Being a derivative of the Euro-panzer project (like the Leopard) and that mobility and firepower were placed above almost all else, the AMX-30 was not built to get shot at by main battle tanks, or tanks for that matter.

;Hull

The lower front plate is 79 mm thick at 39° (which is not a lot at 7.3) while the upper front plate is (again) 79mm, this time at 68°. In other words, the hull will not defend the AMX-30 against anything heavier than an autocannon, although it could bounce some AP and APHE rounds when using the 8° of gun depression to its fullest, though to be safer, don't expose the front of the hull.

The sides and the rear of the hull are also lacklustre, with 30 mm protection and then the only "strong point" being the sponsons with 35 mm, expect most rounds larger than heavy machine guns to pass through. The sponsons themselves have only a 57 mm plate covering the front, not to mention it is angled up and to the side, it could potentially be a weak spot for anti-aircraft vehicles if they are at an angle compared to you.

;Turret

Much like the Hull, the turret isn't really meant to protect against much. The turret is 80 mm thick around the gun (not counting the 150 mm gun ring since it's too small a target). The rest are mostly 60 mm thick apart from a 50 mm autocannon mantlet and a 35 mm plate for the viewport. The top and bottom of the mantlet are 30 mm thick, but it's at 78°, meaning it might be the toughest part yet, particularly since shot traps from the bottom of the mantlet don't seem common.

The turret cheeks maybe only 41.5 mm thick, but from the front, the angle makes the shot risky, though be aware it is still a potential target. If the tank is played using its mobility and peeking over ridges, the cupola is 60 mm and rather big, so be wary of APHE shells because if they penetrate there, you might lose the turret crew if not the entire tank.

The most likely target on the turret (maybe even the whole tank) is the turret top and "forehead", the armour plate directly above the mantlet is 30 mm thick with an angle of 71°, it might bounce ''some'' shells, but most APDS and HEAT will still go through. The problem is that sitting at the rear of the turret is the ready rack, which will most likely detonate if hit.

The turret side armour has nothing much speaking for it that the front armour has, as much like the hull, it isn't well armoured. Ricochets and bounces off this sector are quite rare and should be unexpected. Just make sure to keep your head on a swivel and have that turret hidden or pointing at your foe.

;Modules and crew placement

A particularity in the AMX-30's survivability is the placement of modules and crew. On the Leopard, shooting the left side of the upper front plate of the hull would knock out the driver, gunner, and commander all at once, thus completely neutralizing the tank and requiring a replacement crew to be deployed, and shooting the right side would detonate the ammo rack which holds 90% of the Leopard's ammo capacity

This problem doesn't happen as much on an AMX-30 however, because of the tank's fuel tank being in front and beside the ammo rack, shots to the left side of the hull might not detonate the ammo rack there and (if you are lucky) might not even hit the gunner. As for the right side, the only crewman behind the driver is the loader.

In other words, whereas it would take one shot to disable or destroy a Leopard 1 through the hull, it may take more than one to defeat an AMX-30 this way. The downside, of course, is that you have 19 rounds of ammunition in a ready rack that will constantly fill itself, which means that 40% of your munitions is sitting behind the gunner and commander, making shots at the turret the enemy's priority

Another drawback is that AMX-30's fuel tanks are inside the hull. Stock grinding without FPE is painful, since every penetrating hit ignites the fuel.

A final note will be on the smoke shells and smoke grenades available on the AMX-30: use these without moderation! If targeted and multiple enemies are pointing/firing upon you, use the smoke grenades and relocate; if an enemy is keeping you pinned, try to catch him off guard and throw a smoke shell in his face then proceed.

'''Armour type:'''

* Cast homogeneous armour
* Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull roof, Hull sides)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 79 mm (57-68°), 50 mm (52-76°) ''Front glacis'' 79 mm (0-57°), 30 mm (75°) ''Lower glacis'' || 35-57 mm (0-35) 30 mm ''Bottom'' 25 mm (70°) ''Belly'' || 30 mm (10°) ''Top'' 30 mm ''Center'' 25 mm (70°) ''Bottom'' || 15 mm 8 mm ''Engine grille''
|-
| Turret || 30-150 mm (0-79°) ''Gun mantlet'' 30 mm (61-75°) ''Turret front top'' || 41.5 mm (19-47°) || 30 mm (1-64°) 20 mm (54-64°) ''Turret underside'' || 20 mm
|-
! Armour !! Sides !! Roof
|-
| Cupola || 80 mm || 20 mm
|}

=== Mobility ===
{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}


{{tankMobility|abMinHp=1,116|rbMinHp=637}}

The mobility of the {{PAGENAME}} is great in almost every respect. It has slightly lower acceleration than a Leopard or [[STB-1]], but it still gets the job done about as well. It doesn't struggle much off road, but remember that the gun is not stabilized. Firing on the move might hit occasionally and might scare them off, but shooting straight means stopping, something you should '''never''' do when targeted by enemy tanks.

Keep also in mind that the tank as -8° elevation to the front of the tank, and (like the Leopard) cannot depress over the back, so don't get flanked, ever (considering the mobility of this tank, if you're outflanked you either stayed still too long, took the unfortunate path, or didn't pay enough attention).

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
=== Main armament ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}

{{main|CN-105-F1 (105 mm)}}

The main armament on the AMX-30 (1972) is the [[CN-105-F1 (105 mm)|CN-105-F1]]. This gun was specifically designed for the use of the tank's OCC-105 spin stabilized HEAT shell, which works by spinning an outer shell using the gun's rifling in order to provide aerodynamic stability while the inner shell (the actual warhead) is suspended by bearings in order to minimize rotation, which would reduce the penetrative power of said shell. It is for all intents and purposes a slightly different HEAT-FS shell.

The main concern is that HEAT shells, particularly modern ones, are sensitive to impact, they might fly through some foliage and some fences, but it is best to destroy the destructible terrain first before firing (where the 20 mm comes in handy, more on that later), though you must remember that on maps like [[Sinai|Sinai]] where houses can be shot through without being shot down, you are at a disadvantage because if you are seen, enemies with AP shells of any sort can and will be able to shoot through the building and hit you, while chemical shells (including HE, HEAT, and HEAT-FS) can't.

But do not underestimate the power of its HEAT shell, it still is quite deadly, harder to bounce, and it keeps penetration over a range, not to mention you get similar performance to a Leopard's HEAT-FS from stock and thus without the associated price. All in all, firepower-wise, the tank is not bad.

The shrapnel of the round in post-penetration damage might not be as plentiful as APHE rounds, but with a reload speed of 8.7 seconds stock, provided you aim for crew and modules, you can spit out about 7 HEAT shells penetrating anything from 200 mm at 60° to 400 mm at 90° every minute. Once fully upgraded, you go from 8.7 seconds reload for about 7 shots per minute to 6.7 seconds reload for about 9 shots a minute. It isn't the best out there, but it does fire fast.

A word of warning before talking of the gun's flexibility though, knowing your enemy's tank is crucial, but most importantly you must know and remember the location of A) the gunner, in order to prevent him from firing, and B) the ammo racks, in order to one shot the enemy, should you catch him off guard or incapacitate his gunner.

As for gun handling, it's quite exceptional. The turret rotation is okay stock at 36°/s and is fast once you get the "horizontal turret drive" module unlocked at 50°/s. The turret elevation isn't slow either, meaning that acquiring, tracking, and changing targets is relatively easy on this tank, you can even track some propeller driven aircraft (more on that later).

The elevation angles aren't too bad, though could be better considering the high roof and aforementioned "forehead" of the turret, the gun only goes 8° down when fully depressed, it is worse than tanks like the Leopard and Centurions that can depress 9° and 10° respectively, but do remember it is still better than the Vickers' 7° and the T-54's 4° of depression so don't be too afraid of peeking over small hills and ridges, just be quick to pop up and back down when necessary.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[CN-105-F1 (105 mm)|105 mm CN-105-F1]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
|-
! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
|-
! ''Arcade''
| rowspan="2" | 47 || rowspan="2" | -8°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 28.6 || 39.5 || 48.0 || 53.1 || 56.5 || rowspan="2" | 8.71 || rowspan="2" | 7.70 || rowspan="2" | 7.10 || rowspan="2" | 6.70
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 17.9 || 21.0 || 25.5 || 28.2 || 30.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
For ammo loadouts, it is suggested to bring 20-25 rounds of HEAT, 3-6 rounds of Smoke, and no HE rounds. That is because despite the 47 rounds capacity, in a normal game you won't fire that many HEAT rounds, thus 20 shells for the more ammo conserving folk or 25 rounds for the more trigger happy recommend. You may take more if you really need to, but you can get away with just that many if you make a stop by a capture zone to replenish.

The smoke rounds, depending on your play-style, you might not need often, but when you do, they are life-saving as they can allow you to lay a smoke screen right in front of you or your team when you're out of smoke grenades (or if you've yet to unlock them yet) and they can blind snipers allowing you and your team to move up.

The HE shells are very situational since the 20 mm is almost always a better alternative. You don't need it to hull break light vehicles since the HEAT shell already does that, the only use would be for a target that is too far to hit effectively with the 20 mm, but where a HEAT shell might be unnecessary.

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" | Type of warhead
! colspan="6" | Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
|-
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
|-
| OCC 105 F1 || HEAT || 400 || 400 || 400 || 400 || 400 || 400
|-
| OE 105 F1 Mle.60 || HE || 25 || 25 || 25 || 25 || 25 || 25
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="10" | Shell details
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" | Type of warhead
! rowspan="2" | Velocity (m/s)
! rowspan="2" | Projectile Mass (kg)
! rowspan="2" | Fuse delay (m)
! rowspan="2" | Fuse sensitivity (mm)
! rowspan="2" | Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g)
! colspan="3" | Ricochet
|-
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
|-
| OCC 105 F1 || HEAT || 1,000 || 10.95 || 0.05 || 0.1 || 1,020 || 62° || 69° || 73°
|-
| OE 105 F1 Mle.60 || HE || 700 || 12.1 || 0 || 0.1 || 2,000 || 79° || 80° || 81°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="7" | Smoke shell characteristics
|-
! Ammunition
! Velocity (m/s)
! Projectile Mass (kg)
! Screen radius (m)
! Screen deploy time (s)
! Screen hold time (s)
! Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g)
|-
| OFPH 105 F1 || 700 || 11.4 || 20 || 5 || 25 || 50
|-
|}

==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
[[File:Ammoracks_AMX-30B2.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the AMX-30B2 (identical).]]

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full ammo
! 1st rack empty
! 2nd rack empty
! 3rd rack empty
! 4th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''47''' || 20 ''(+27)'' || 19 ''(+28)'' || 9 ''(+38)'' || 1 ''(+46)'' || No
|-
|}
Notes:

* Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
* Rack 2, 3 and 4 are first stage ammo racks. They total 19 shells.
* These racks get filled first when loading up the tank and are also emptied first.
* The depletion order at full capacity is: 2 - 3 - 4 - 1.
* Simply not firing when the gun is loaded will move ammo from rack 1 into rack 4 then 3, then 2. Firing will interrupt the restocking of the ready racks.

==== Optics and night vision ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="7" | {{PAGENAME}} [[Optics]]
|-
! rowspan="3" |Type of optic
! rowspan="3" |Magnification
! colspan="5" |[[Night Vision Devices]]
|-
! colspan="3" |Image Intensifier
! rowspan="2" |{{Annotation|Thermal Imager Resolution|The higher the resolution the clearer and more detailed the image is}}
! rowspan="2" |Notes
|-
! {{Annotation|Resolution|The higher the resolution the clearer and more detailed the image is}}
! {{Annotation|Light Mult|By how much the image intensifier amplifies the existing light, primarily useful for comparing image intensifiers}}
! {{Annotation|Noise Level|How much noise is present in the image (how grainy the image is)}}
|-
! Gunner's Sight
| X6.8 - X8.0 || 800 x 600 || 8.0 || High || Not Fitted || Image intensifier unlocked by "NVD" modification (tier 4)
|-
! Commander's View
| X6 || 800 x 600 || 8.0 || High || Not Fitted || Image intensifier unlocked by "NVD" modification (tier 4)
|-
! Driver's View
| X1 || 800 x 600 || 5.0 || High || Not Fitted || Image intensifier unlocked by "NVD" modification (tier 4)
|-
|}

=== Machine guns ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|3}}

{{main|20F2 (20 mm)|A-A-F1N (7.62 mm)}}

The secondary on the AMX-30 is not a machine gun, but an autocannon. It fires a belt with a composition of 1 High Explosive Fragmentation (HEF) round, followed by one Armour Piercing round (AP) with both of these rounds being incendiary tracer rounds (I-T). Alternating between explosive rounds that are great from helicopters, planes and exposed crew, whilst burning and tracing the round, and an armour piercing round for lightly armoured targets, whilst burning and tracing the round.

The only times where you would not be firing your 20 mm gun is either: 1) there are no targets, 2) it would give your sniping position or your flanking attack away, 3) you are too far away to hit/damage anything, 4) you are trying to cool the weapon down (yes it can overheat) 5) you're reloading/un-jamming it.

In almost every other circumstance, firing the 20 mm is preferably though some times more than others, because this secondary is useful at four things in particular :

# destroying fences, walls, trees, bushes, ... and any other destructible environment your HEAT shell would detonate upon before reaching your target
# destroying light vehicles, exposed crew and even other tanks should you have the side or rear of the target to shoot at
# shooting down planes, as they are preparing or exiting an attack run
# and lastly, destroying the exposed modules (canons, guns, tracks, ERA blocks) of any tank if you can't destroy it outright

There is only one belt to use, so make use of the HE-AP combination in the belt. The autocannon gets one thousand rounds to use, which means 500 rounds of crew-injuring HE and 500 rounds of tank damaging AP, with a fire rate not too slow nor too fast that allows for sustained suppressive fire.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[20F2 (20 mm)|20 mm 20F2]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 1,000 (500) || 740 || 0°/+20° || N/A
|-
|}

Considering the fact that the 20 mm co-axial is not only powerful enough but flexible enough to shoot down planes with, the A-A-F1N machine gun just seems like an outlier in terms of providing firepower. It could be useful to attack exposed crew members, but this is very rare with the type of enemy vehicles seen in matches. The best use of this machine gun would probably to annoy the enemy, or draw their attention without using the valuable 20 mm autocannon shells.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[A-A-F1N (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm A-A-F1N]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Pintle || 2,050 (100) || 900 || -10°/+45° || ±120°
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==
''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Tank is relatively fast and mobile
* Turret rotation and elevation is fast
* 20 mm autocannon is good against light tanks, planes, and obstacles
* HEAT shells have good penetration
* Has access to smoke shells and smoke grenades
* Gunner and driver are not aligned means tank is harder to disable in one shot
* Hull ammo rack surrounded by a fuel tank
* Has a good rangefinder as a modification, making long-range engagements easier

'''Cons:'''

* Armour is unsatisfactory against enemy armaments
* Only 8° of gun depression
* Cannot depress the gun over the engine deck
* HEAT shell can't go through obstacles
* Ready-rack at turret rear is prone to getting shot, even from the front
* High cupola design makes it easier to spot

== History ==
In November 17th, 1973, an AMX 30 (1972) tank was used to breach the gate of the Athens Polytechnic University, in Greece.

At that time, there was a demostration at the university, already taken over by students on the 14th of November 1967, rejecting the military junta in Greece, in place from April 21st, 1967. The university grounds were filled with protesters, who were negotiating with police about their exit from the university, seemingly peacefully. However, at around 3:00 in the morning of November 17th, one of the 3 AMX 30's present, suddenly breeched the main gate of the university, wich was barricaded with various items, and people. As a result, panick ensued, with police entering the university, to remove and arrest anyone inside. At some other gates, were protesters were actually exiting the university from, police forces were waiting for them, attacking them, while army soldiers were clashing both with police to protect the protesters and the protesters themselves amidst the chaos.

However, those events quickly gained an even darker turn as gunshots were heard. Police and pro-junta gunmen, posted on surrounding rooftops, opened fire, killing protesters. In total, as many as 2.400 people were arrested, and at least 34 were killed.

Since the junta was overturned, the 17th of November is a nationwide holiday, with a monument open for visitors at the unversity.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=france&vehicleType=tank&vehicleClass=medium_tank&vehicle=fr_amx_30_1972 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|wJkQW4kSJjM|'''French MBTs''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 2:17 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''|NHRUSJ79Re4|'''The Shooting Range #175''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 04:50 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.}}

== See also ==
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/5206-development-amx-30-mod-1972-next-generation-en|[Devblog] AMX-30 Mod. 1972: Next Generation]]
* [[wikipedia:AMX-30|[Wikipedia] AMX-30]]
* [https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/coldwar/France/AMX-30.php <nowiki>[Tanks Encyclopedia]</nowiki> AMX-30]

{{France medium tanks}}