Difference between revisions of "MARS 15"

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{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}
 
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}
 
<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
−
The MARS 15 does not have any armor to talk about, it's only protected againt 7.7mm bullets but anything bigger than that will go through the vehicle with ease even at range.  
+
At first sight, the MARS 15 might look like it lacks any real armour, thanks to its pitiful 11 mm top glacis. However, these 11 millimeters are quite adequate at stopping rounds from autocannons and lower calibre rounds, thanks to the top glacis steep angle of 80°. This is overall boosted by the internal plate that separates the crew compartment and the front of the tank. As an added protection, the transmission, engine block and the radiator are placed in front of the tank, which might help with stopping HEAT rounds.
 +
 
 +
However, all of this added protection won't help the tank survive an APFSDS round as most of the time it will have no problems penetrating the front of the tank and due to the crew placement and because only 3 members are inside of the vehicle, most APFSDS rounds will destroy the tank with a single hit. A major weak spot is the left part of the driver's optics. A shot trough these optics will result in the incapacitation of the driver and most of the time either the gunner or the loader. If the user survives a shot like this, another problem would be the 4 rounds that are kept in storage within the tank turret, however the user can bypass this issue by loading only 16 rounds. This way, only the back of the turret will have rounds stored inside, boosting the chance of survival by a tiny amount.
 +
 
 +
As mentioned above, holding more than 16 rounds might be a problem for some. But due to the overall low survivability of the tank itself, taking 20 rounds might be an optimal way to play. Take note however, that taking more than 20 rounds will result in the rounds being placed on the racks on both sides of the tank, which might make the user very susceptible to side shots.
  
 
'''Armour type:''' <!-- The types of armour present on the vehicle and their general locations -->
 
'''Armour type:''' <!-- The types of armour present on the vehicle and their general locations -->
 
<!-- Example: * Rolled homogeneous armour (Front, Side, Rear, Hull roof)
 
<!-- Example: * Rolled homogeneous armour (Front, Side, Rear, Hull roof)
 
* Cast homogeneous armour (Turret, Transmission area) -->
 
* Cast homogeneous armour (Turret, Transmission area) -->
 +
* Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull, Turret, Internal plate)
  
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
Line 22: Line 27:
 
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Hull || 15 mm || ___ mm ''Top'' <br> ___ mm ''Bottom'' || ___ mm || ___ - ___ mm
+
| Hull || 11 mm (80°) ''Top Glacis''
 +
15 mm (40°) ''Bottom Glacis''
 +
| 5 mm (20°) ''Top'' <br>10 mm ''Bottom'' || 10 mm (10°) || 8 - 11 mm (90° - 80°)
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Turret || ___ - ___ mm ''Turret front'' <br> ___ mm ''Gun mantlet'' || ___ - ___ mm || ___ - ___ mm || ___ - ___ mm
+
| Turret || 10 - 15 mm ''Turret front'' <br>10 mm ''Gun mantlet'' || 8 - 12 mm (0° - 30°) || 8 - 10 mm || 10 - 12 mm
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Cupola || ___ mm || ___ mm || ___ mm || ___ mm
+
| Cupola || 10 mm (5° - 90°) || 10 mm (12° - 75°) || 10 mm (61°) || 10 mm (58° - 85°)
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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'''Notes:''' <!-- Any additional notes which the user needs to be aware of -->
 
'''Notes:''' <!-- Any additional notes which the user needs to be aware of -->
 
<!-- Example: * Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick, tracks are 30 mm thick, and torsion bars are 60 mm thick. -->
 
<!-- Example: * Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick, tracks are 30 mm thick, and torsion bars are 60 mm thick. -->
 +
* The torsion bars, suspension wheels and the tracks are 15 mm thick
 +
* Internal plate protecting the crew compartment is 10 mm thick
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
 
{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}
 
{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}
 
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
 +
The MARS 15 is a very mobile and nimble tank, with a pretty small profile. The user should expect around 48 km/h on off-road terrain and roughly -24 km/h reverse speed. It takes roughly 13 seconds for the tank to fully do a 360° rotation with neutral steering, however if the user gets some speed before turning, it will do the 360° rotation roughly 50% faster. It is powered by a Baudouin GF12SRY diesel engine, with the power of 420 hp for roughly 75 km/h max speed.
 +
 
{{tankMobility}}
 
{{tankMobility}}
  
Line 75: Line 86:
 
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
 
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
 
|-
 
|-
−
| OCC 90 F2 || HEATFS || __ || __ || __ || __ || __ || __
+
| OCC 90 F2 || HEATFS || 320 || 320 || 320 || 320 || 320 || 320
 
|-
 
|-
−
| OE 90 F1 || HE || __ || __ || __ || __ || __ || __
+
| OE 90 F1 || HE || 13 || 13 ||13
 +
|13
 +
|13
 +
|13
 
|-
 
|-
−
| OFL 90 F1 || APFSDS || __ || __ || __ || __ || __ || __
+
| OFL 90 F1 || APFSDS || 271 ||267||253||235||218||201
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
Line 96: Line 110:
 
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
 
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
 
|-
 
|-
−
| OCC 90 F2 || HEATFS || ___ || _.__ || __ || _._ || ___ || __° || __° || __°
+
| OCC 90 F2 || HEATFS ||950||8.95|| 0.05 || 0.1 ||877.7|| 65° || 72° || 77°
 
|-
 
|-
−
| OE 90 F1 || HE || ___ || _.__ || __ || _._ || ___ || __° || __° || __°
+
| OE 90 F1 || HE ||750|| 10.45 || N/A || 0.1 || 945 || 79° || 80° || 81°
 
|-
 
|-
−
| OFL 90 F1 || APFSDS || ___ || _.__ || __ || _._ || ___ || __° || __° || __°
+
| OFL 90 F1 || APFSDS ||1275|| 2.33 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 78° || 80° || 81°
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
Line 114: Line 128:
 
! Explosive Mass<br>(TNT equivalent) (g)
 
! Explosive Mass<br>(TNT equivalent) (g)
 
|-
 
|-
−
| OFUM 90 F1 || ___ || ____ || __ || __ || __ || ___
+
| OFUM 90 F1 ||750|| 10.2 || 13 || 5 || 20 || 50
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
Line 132: Line 146:
 
! Visual<br>discrepancy
 
! Visual<br>discrepancy
 
|-
 
|-
−
| '''30''' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __
+
| '''30''' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || No
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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<!-- ''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.'' -->
 
{{main|A-A-F1N (7.62 mm)}}
 
{{main|A-A-F1N (7.62 mm)}}
−
''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.''
+
The A-A-F1N is largely ineffective at taking out any armored target and its only real use comes to play against vehicles with exposed crew members. Thanks to the large fire rate, one can dispatch such tank with relative easy. It can also be used to "ping" enemy targets for your teammates or to destroy environmental objects such as fences.
  
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
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! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
 
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
 
|-
 
|-
−
| || ___ (___) || ___ || __° || __°
+
| Pintle
 +
| 2,000 (100) || 900 shots/min || -8°/+18° || 180°
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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== Usage in battles ==
 
== 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).'' -->
 
<!-- ''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).'' -->
−
The MARS 15, like all light tanks, relies heavily on early positionning to perform. It is advised at the beginning of the game to reach for an advanced position and provide intel to your team by spotting ennemy targets. Mid-game, thanks to its combination of good mobility, good firepower and good rate of fire, it can be a very effective flanker or a sniper. Indeed, the MARS 15 thanks to its APFSDS ammunition does not have to engage the ennemy from the sides if it want to penetrate their armor and is not as limited asx previous French light tanks in this regard. Its APFSDS shot will go through most ennemies with ease even at range bar few notable ones such as : Maus, IS4, IS7, Object 279, T55 AM1, T62 M1, Conqueror Mk 2, other vehicle will be easily penetrated on their hulls and turret even if some turrets can be tricky like the ones found on the Cheiftain or soviets heavy tanks. The way you will play the vehicle will heavily depends on the map as well as the situation on the battelfield but thanks to its mobilty and firepower it can adapt and be useful in most situations. That being said, keep in mind that you are not a brawler and that anything will penetrate your armor so you are very much advised to plan your movements quite ahead and most importantly try to not be spotted as it'll almost always result in a rapid death.
+
The MARS 15 is effective as a scout vehicle. Because of the good mobility and low profile, it is easy to flank the enemy and scout them for your team. Engaging in brawls is not recommended as the mediocre armour won't provide adequate protection against other vehicles that the MARS will face. Focusing on flanking the enemy and/or engaging the enemy from vantage points from the sides is an adequate way of playing the MARS. If for some reason the user finds themselves in a tough spot, the MARS can have 4 smoke grenades equipped that can provide a reliable way of escaping danger and repositioning.
 +
 
 +
Although the user has access to an APFSDS round, using it is rather questionable and situational. The power of it is rather average at best, but on the flipside, it provides quite a boost to the round velocity. A good tactic is to take both HEAT-FS and APFSDS if the user plans on sniping but also flanking. The APFSDS should be used at longer ranges where the target might be moving too fast for the HEAT-FS to be reliable, or incase environmental objects such as bushes are in-front of the user as hitting these with HEAT rounds will most likely detonate them, giving away the user's position.
 +
 
 +
If the user prefers to snipe crew members or the enemy tank's ammo racks, the APFSDS is good enough to fulfill that role, but spare HEAT-FS should always be carried incase the user needs some extra penetration power.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
Line 163: Line 182:
 
* Low profile
 
* Low profile
 
* Good mobility  
 
* Good mobility  
−
* Very good RoF of 12 shots per minutes when aced
+
* Access to a laser rangefinder  
−
* Powerful APFSDS rounds which allow the tank to also act as a sniper with the laser rangefinder  
 
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
Line 171: Line 189:
 
* Very light protection  
 
* Very light protection  
 
* No night vision devices
 
* No night vision devices
 +
* Because of the OFL 90 F1 rather weak penetration power and below average spalling, one hit kills are unreliable
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
 
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
−
The MARS 15 was private venture undertaken by Creusot-Loire Industrie (Property of GIAT Industries now NEXTER) in the late 80's whose purpose was to propose already existing customer of the AMX 13 a new generation of low cost/high efficiency modular platform that could mound a wide array of weapons system as well as be assigned to several purposes ranging from anti-air, infantry fighting vehicle and light tanks. 3 prototypes were built; one using the GIAT TS 90 turret housing the CN 90 F4 90 mm gun, one using the two-axis stabilized DRAGAR turret ( DRAGAR turret is the early development and version of the TARASK turret found on the VBCI IFV vehicle) housing a 25mm chain gun and one using the TML turret housing a CN 105 G2 105mm gun. The platform as well as its various equipment options were proposed on the export market for few years without attracting any potential buyers. Indeed, already existing customers of the AMX 13 preferred to modernize it rather than ordering a whole new vehicle they were not familiar with and the French Army had a huge (and still has) preference for wheeled vehicles for its light reconnaissance units due to tracked vehicle being more expansive both to operate and maintain and was not interested as a result. Seeing the vehicle failing to attract foreign customers as well as not receiving any interest from the French Army, GIAT definitely shut down the project in the early 90's
+
=== [[wt:en/news/7082-development-mars-15-light-cavalry-en|Devblog]] ===
 +
In the early 1980s, the French Creusot-Loire Industrie company began work on developing a new family of tracked combat vehicles which share a common chassis. Initiating work under a private venture, Creusot-Loire Industrie aimed to produce the vehicles for customers on the export market who already used the widely used AMX-13 light tank.
 +
 
 +
Full-scale development only began in 1988 and several variants of the vehicle were developed, ranging from light tank modifications over APCs and IFVs to SPAAs and SPHs as well as a number of other variants. However, many of these planned variants never passed the drawing board stage. Of the few that did, the light tank modification stood out as it aimed to build upon the popular characteristics of the AMX-13 and expand upon them by incorporating modern technologies.
 +
 
 +
This light tank modification featured a small and extremely nimble chassis while being armed with a 90 mm cannon and promising low maintenance efforts. The first and only prototype of this variant was shown off in 1990, along with the IFV modification. After its reveal, the vehicle received the designation MARS 15. 
 +
 
 +
In 1991, another prototype armed with a 105 mm cannon was shown off which would also become the last of the series. In fact, the expected response from potential foreign customers never materialized as the end of the Cold War in the early 1990s diminished the demand for new tanks while simultaneously surplus MBTs were being taken out of storage and sold. As a result of this development, the MARS vehicles never left the prototype stage and were ultimately abandoned.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
Line 193: Line 219:
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''other literature.'' -->
 
* ''other literature.'' -->
−
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
+
* [http://www.military-today.com/tanks/mars_15.htm <nowiki>[military-today.com] MARS 15</nowiki>]
−
 
 
−
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
−
* ''other literature.''
 
  
 
{{France light tanks}}
 
{{France light tanks}}

Revision as of 21:22, 12 March 2021

Introducing Wiki 3.0
MARS 15
fr_mars_15.png
GarageImage MARS 15.jpg
MARS 15
France flag.png France
VI Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
8.3 8.3 8.3
Class:
Research:135 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:380 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png

Description

The MARS 15 is a rank VI French light tank with a battle rating of 8.3 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update "Ixwa Strike".

General info

Survivability and armour

Smoke grenades
Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle
Armourfront / side / back
Hull15 / 10 / 10
Turret12 / 10 / 10
Crew3 people
Visibility88 %

At first sight, the MARS 15 might look like it lacks any real armour, thanks to its pitiful 11 mm top glacis. However, these 11 millimeters are quite adequate at stopping rounds from autocannons and lower calibre rounds, thanks to the top glacis steep angle of 80°. This is overall boosted by the internal plate that separates the crew compartment and the front of the tank. As an added protection, the transmission, engine block and the radiator are placed in front of the tank, which might help with stopping HEAT rounds.

However, all of this added protection won't help the tank survive an APFSDS round as most of the time it will have no problems penetrating the front of the tank and due to the crew placement and because only 3 members are inside of the vehicle, most APFSDS rounds will destroy the tank with a single hit. A major weak spot is the left part of the driver's optics. A shot trough these optics will result in the incapacitation of the driver and most of the time either the gunner or the loader. If the user survives a shot like this, another problem would be the 4 rounds that are kept in storage within the tank turret, however the user can bypass this issue by loading only 16 rounds. This way, only the back of the turret will have rounds stored inside, boosting the chance of survival by a tiny amount.

As mentioned above, holding more than 16 rounds might be a problem for some. But due to the overall low survivability of the tank itself, taking 20 rounds might be an optimal way to play. Take note however, that taking more than 20 rounds will result in the rounds being placed on the racks on both sides of the tank, which might make the user very susceptible to side shots.

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull, Turret, Internal plate)
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 11 mm (80°) Top Glacis

15 mm (40°) Bottom Glacis

5 mm (20°) Top
10 mm Bottom 		10 mm (10°) 8 - 11 mm (90° - 80°)
Turret 10 - 15 mm Turret front
10 mm Gun mantlet 		8 - 12 mm (0° - 30°) 8 - 10 mm 10 - 12 mm
Cupola 10 mm (5° - 90°) 10 mm (12° - 75°) 10 mm (61°) 10 mm (58° - 85°)

Notes:

  • The torsion bars, suspension wheels and the tracks are 15 mm thick
  • Internal plate protecting the crew compartment is 10 mm thick

Mobility

Reverse gearbox
Forward and backward movement is possible at the same maximum speed
Speedforward / back
AB84 / 84 km/h
RB and SB76 / 76 km/h
Number of gears6 forward
6 back
Weight16.0 t
Engine power
AB763 hp
RB and SB400 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB47.7 hp/t
RB and SB25.0 hp/t

The MARS 15 is a very mobile and nimble tank, with a pretty small profile. The user should expect around 48 km/h on off-road terrain and roughly -24 km/h reverse speed. It takes roughly 13 seconds for the tank to fully do a 360° rotation with neutral steering, however if the user gets some speed before turning, it will do the 360° rotation roughly 50% faster. It is powered by a Baudouin GF12SRY diesel engine, with the power of 420 hp for roughly 75 km/h max speed.

Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 84 84 16 _,___ 763 __.__ 47.69
Realistic 76 76 _,___ 400 __.__ 25

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB3 221 → 4 944 Sl icon.png
RB3 650 → 5 602 Sl icon.png
SB4 456 → 6 839 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications112 000 Rp icon.png
189 400 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost2 300 Ge icon.png
Crew training110 000 Sl icon.png
Experts380 000 Sl icon.png
Aces1 400 Ge icon.png
Research Aces830 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
120 / 160 / 200 % Sl icon.png
208 / 208 / 208 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Research:
6 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
9 600 Sl icon.png
250 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
5 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
8 600 Sl icon.png
230 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
5 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
8 600 Sl icon.png
230 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Research:
6 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
9 600 Sl icon.png
250 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Research:
6 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
10 000 Sl icon.png
270 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
6 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
10 000 Sl icon.png
270 Ge icon.png
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Research:
1 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
9 600 Sl icon.png
250 Ge icon.png
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Research:
1 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
8 600 Sl icon.png
230 Ge icon.png
Mods tank reinforcement fr.png
Crew Replenishment
Research:
6 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
9 600 Sl icon.png
250 Ge icon.png
Mods smoke screen.png
Smoke grenade
Research:
6 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
10 000 Sl icon.png
270 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Research:
6 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
9 600 Sl icon.png
250 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
90mm_CN90_Smoke_ammo_pack
Research:
6 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
9 600 Sl icon.png
250 Ge icon.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
5 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
8 600 Sl icon.png
230 Ge icon.png
Mods airstrike.png
Airstrike
Research:
5 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
8 600 Sl icon.png
230 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
6 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
9 600 Sl icon.png
250 Ge icon.png
Mods scouting.png
Improved optics
Research:
6 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
9 600 Sl icon.png
250 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
90mm_CN90_APDS_FS_ammo_pack
Research:
6 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
9 600 Sl icon.png
250 Ge icon.png
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support
Research:
6 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
10 000 Sl icon.png
270 Ge icon.png
Mods tank laser rangefinder.png
Laser rangefinder
Research:
6 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
10 000 Sl icon.png
270 Ge icon.png
Mods scout streak.png
Scout UAV
Research:
6 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
10 000 Sl icon.png
270 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Laser rangefinder
Reduces the error and increases the maximum measurable distance of the rangefinder

Main armament

90 mm CN90 F4 cannon
Ammunition30 rounds
First-order10 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
6.5 → 5.0 s
Vertical guidance-8° / 15°
Main article: CN90 F4 (90 mm)

Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: {{main|Name of the weapon}}. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.

90 mm CN90 F4 Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 30 -8°/+18° ±180° N/A __._ __._ __._ __._ __._ _.__ _.__ _.__ _.__
Realistic __._ __._ __._ __._ __._

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
OCC 90 F2 HEATFS 320 320 320 320 320 320
OE 90 F1 HE 13 13 13 13 13 13
OFL 90 F1 APFSDS 271 267 253 235 218 201
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Velocity
(m/s) 		Projectile
Mass (kg) 		Fuse delay
(m) 		Fuse sensitivity
(mm) 		Explosive Mass
(TNT equivalent) (g) 		Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
OCC 90 F2 HEATFS 950 8.95 0.05 0.1 877.7 65° 72° 77°
OE 90 F1 HE 750 10.45 N/A 0.1 945 79° 80° 81°
OFL 90 F1 APFSDS 1275 2.33 N/A N/A N/A 78° 80° 81°
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)
OFUM 90 F1 750 10.2 13 5 20 50

Ammo racks

Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		3rd
rack empty 		4th
rack empty 		5th
rack empty 		6th
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
30 __ (+__) __ (+__) __ (+__) __ (+__) __ (+__) __ (+__) No

Machine guns

7.62 mm A-A-F1N machine gun (coaxial)
Ammunition2 000 rounds
Belt capacity100 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate900 shots/min
Main article: A-A-F1N (7.62 mm)

The A-A-F1N is largely ineffective at taking out any armored target and its only real use comes to play against vehicles with exposed crew members. Thanks to the large fire rate, one can dispatch such tank with relative easy. It can also be used to "ping" enemy targets for your teammates or to destroy environmental objects such as fences.

7.62 mm A-A-F1N
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Pintle 2,000 (100) 900 shots/min -8°/+18° 180°

Usage in battles

The MARS 15 is effective as a scout vehicle. Because of the good mobility and low profile, it is easy to flank the enemy and scout them for your team. Engaging in brawls is not recommended as the mediocre armour won't provide adequate protection against other vehicles that the MARS will face. Focusing on flanking the enemy and/or engaging the enemy from vantage points from the sides is an adequate way of playing the MARS. If for some reason the user finds themselves in a tough spot, the MARS can have 4 smoke grenades equipped that can provide a reliable way of escaping danger and repositioning.

Although the user has access to an APFSDS round, using it is rather questionable and situational. The power of it is rather average at best, but on the flipside, it provides quite a boost to the round velocity. A good tactic is to take both HEAT-FS and APFSDS if the user plans on sniping but also flanking. The APFSDS should be used at longer ranges where the target might be moving too fast for the HEAT-FS to be reliable, or incase environmental objects such as bushes are in-front of the user as hitting these with HEAT rounds will most likely detonate them, giving away the user's position.

If the user prefers to snipe crew members or the enemy tank's ammo racks, the APFSDS is good enough to fulfill that role, but spare HEAT-FS should always be carried incase the user needs some extra penetration power.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Low profile
  • Good mobility
  • Access to a laser rangefinder

Cons:

  • No gun stabilization
  • Very light protection
  • No night vision devices
  • Because of the OFL 90 F1 rather weak penetration power and below average spalling, one hit kills are unreliable

History

Devblog

In the early 1980s, the French Creusot-Loire Industrie company began work on developing a new family of tracked combat vehicles which share a common chassis. Initiating work under a private venture, Creusot-Loire Industrie aimed to produce the vehicles for customers on the export market who already used the widely used AMX-13 light tank.

Full-scale development only began in 1988 and several variants of the vehicle were developed, ranging from light tank modifications over APCs and IFVs to SPAAs and SPHs as well as a number of other variants. However, many of these planned variants never passed the drawing board stage. Of the few that did, the light tank modification stood out as it aimed to build upon the popular characteristics of the AMX-13 and expand upon them by incorporating modern technologies.

This light tank modification featured a small and extremely nimble chassis while being armed with a 90 mm cannon and promising low maintenance efforts. The first and only prototype of this variant was shown off in 1990, along with the IFV modification. After its reveal, the vehicle received the designation MARS 15. 

In 1991, another prototype armed with a 105 mm cannon was shown off which would also become the last of the series. In fact, the expected response from potential foreign customers never materialized as the end of the Cold War in the early 1990s diminished the demand for new tanks while simultaneously surplus MBTs were being taken out of storage and sold. As a result of this development, the MARS vehicles never left the prototype stage and were ultimately abandoned.

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

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


France light tanks
AMC.34/35  AMC.34 YR · AMC.35 (ACG.1)
H.35/39  H.35 · H.39 · H.39 "Cambronne"
AMX-13  AMX-13 (FL11) · AMX-13-M24 · AMX-13 · AMX-13 (SS.11) · AMX-13-90 · AMX-13 (HOT)
Wheeled  AML-90 · AMX-10RC · Vextra 105
AMD.35  AMD.35 · AMD.35 (SA35)
E.B.R.  E.B.R. (1951) · E.B.R. (1954) · E.B.R. (1963)
Other  FCM.36 · R.35 (SA38) · Char 25t · MARS 15 · VBCI-2 (MCT30)
Austria  SK-105A2
Great Britain  ▄Crusader Mk.II
Netherlands  CV 9035NL
USA  LVT-4/40 · ▄M3A3 Stuart

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