AMX-13 (HOT)

AMX-13 (HOT)

MARS 15

AMX-10RC

AMX-13 (HOT)

MARS 15

AMX-10RC

France

VI Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
8.3	8.3	8.3

Class:

Light tank

Research:81 000

Purchase:450 000

Show in game

This page is about the light tank AMX-13 (HOT). For other uses, see AMX-13 (Family).

Description

The AMX-13 (HOT) is a Rank VI French light tank with a battle rating of 8.3 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.75 "La Résistance".

At its current battle rating, the AMX-13 (HOT) can definitely do some serious damage, even to top-rank MBTs and (as of 1.81) helicopters too. The six HOT ATGMs are enough to penetrate almost any armour in the game on direct hit, save for the M1 IP's turret cheeks (which it doesn't have to face), and the T-64B's upper glacis (with ERA in place at high angle). All six missiles can be fired in short succession, although only the one fired last can be controlled.

This makes it a viable tank destroyer, but unlike any of the MBTs, it cannot take a hit and survive. Even certain machine guns and aircraft cannons are capable of killing it easily. Use your spotting ability to alert your team to enemies, and try and get an ATGM in a critical spot, like crew or ammo. ATGM have problems breaching fuel tanks, engines and radiators, so avoid hitting those with missiles.

Just remember: You only have six ATGMs, after that, you are using a conventional gun, firing solid shot AP, which technically can ammo rack tanks like T-64 and T-80 from the side, but it's not a guaranteed kill.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armour type:

• Cast homogeneous armour (Turret base, Turret front)
• Rolled homogeneous armour

Armour	Front (Slope angle)	Sides	Rear	Roof
Hull	20 mm (67°) Front glacis 20-40 mm (5-50°) Lower glacis	20 mm	15 mm Top 15 mm (45°) Bottom	10 mm 5 mm Engine grille
Turret	40 mm (32-47°) Turret front 40 mm (12-41°) Turret base 40 mm (15-75°) Barrel shroud	20 mm (0-30°) Turret 20 mm (12-14°) Turret base	20 mm Turret bustle 20 mm (17-22°) Pivot ball 10 mm (77-90°) Turret underside	10 mm
Armour	Sides	Roof
Cupola	20 mm	10 mm

Notes:

• Suspension wheels and tracks are 15 mm thick.
• Belly armour is 10 mm thick.
• 8 mm Structural steel firewall separates the driver from the engine.
• The track and wheel on the front glacis offer about 15 mm structural steel thickness.

Mobility

Game Mode	Max Speed (km/h)		Weight (tons)	Engine power (horsepower)		Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
	Forward	Reverse		Stock	Upgraded	Stock	Upgraded
Arcade	68	8	15	418	515	27.87	34.33
Realistic	61	7		239	270	15.93	18

Armaments

Main armament

75 mm SA50 L/57					Turret rotation speed (°/s)					Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode	Capacity	Vertical	Horizontal	Stabilizer	Stock	Upgraded	Full	Expert	Aced	Stock	Full	Expert	Aced
Arcade	36	-6°/+13°	±180°	N/A	28.6	39.5	48.0	53.1	56.5	5.00	5.00	5.00	5.00
Realistic					17.9	21.0	25.5	28.2	30.0

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
POT-51A	APC	182	178	162	143	127	113
75 mm HE	HE	10	10	10	10	10	10
PCOT-51P	APCBC	202	198	180	159	141	125

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%
POT-51A	APC	1,000	6.4	N/A	N/A	N/A	48°	63°	71°
75 mm HE	HE	753	6.2	0.4	0.1	675	79°	80°	81°
PCOT-51P	APCBC	1,000	6.4	N/A	N/A	N/A	48°	63°	71°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the AMX-13 (identical).

Full ammo	1st rack empty	2nd rack empty	3rd rack empty	4th rack empty	5th rack empty	6th rack empty	7th rack empty	Visual discrepancy
36	32 (+4)	28 (+8)	23 (+13)	18 (+18)	13 (+23)	7 (+29)	1 (+35)	No

Notes:

• Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
• Rack 6* and 7* (autoloader magazines) are first stage ammo racks. They total 12 shells.
• These racks get filled first when loading up the tank and are also emptied first.
• As the AMX-13 (HOT) is equipped with an autoloader, manual reloading of the gun is not possible.
• Once the autoloader magazines have been depleted, you can't shoot until the loader has restocked the autoloader. The restocking time is longer than the normal reload time of the gun (about 15 seconds). Take this into account when playing.
• Simply not firing when the gun is loaded will move ammo from racks 1 to 5 into rack 7* then 6*. Firing will interrupt the restocking of the ready racks.
• The depletion order at full capacity is: 6* - 7* - 1 - 2 up to 5.

Additional armament

HOT ATGM
Capacity	Vertical	Horizontal	Stabilizer
6	N/A	N/A	N/A

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
HOT	ATGM	700	700	700	700	700	700

Shell details
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Velocity (m/s)	Range (m)	Projectile Mass (kg)	Fuse delay (m)	Fuse sensitivity (mm)	Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g)	Ricochet
								0%	50%	100%
HOT	ATGM	240	4,000	26	0	0.1	3,000	80°	82°	90°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the AMX-13 (HOT)

Full ammo	Visual discrepancy
6	No

Notes:

• The missiles are fired from 1 to 6.
• It is not possible to select how many missiles to bring into battle.

Machine guns

7.5 mm MAC 31
Mount	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal
Coaxial	4,950 (150)	1,350	N/A	N/A

Usage in battles

The AMX-13 HOT cannot be played as the standard AMX-13 due to the increased battle rating. This particular modification should be used always as a support vehicle. The commander should always keep this in mind:

- ATGM: frontal engagements at 100 m (the ATGM has to fly up a couple of metres to be able to follow the crosshair due to the launcher placement). Distance engagements past 200-300 m.

- 75 mm gun: Side shots at distances between 0-200 m

It should be noted that the AMX-13 HOT can face Leopard 1s, meaning the main gun is capable of destroying the tank from all sides. Enemy targets like T-54/55 will only be able to be penned frontally with the ATGM and from the sides with the 75 mm gun. The T-55AM-1 can be one of the toughest enemies it will face as the ATGM will not be able to penetrate the turret mantlet when seen directly from the front, aim for centre-mass with the ATGM.

Do not stay alone with this tank unless you are being a scout vehicle (as it has that capacity).

When in urban combat:

The AMX-13 should be played as a flanker or as a "medic" vehicle thanks to being able to repair friendlies due to being a light tank. It should be noted that the ATGM use is reduced considerably when in urban combat due to the way the launchers are placed. Use your mobility, scouting capabilities and autoloader to mark, disable and support allies in killing enemy vehicles. When facing Russian tanks, always try to get side shots. When facing NATO tanks (excluding heavy tanks and WW2 tanks), side shots might not be required depending on the armour the AMX-13 is facing.

When in rural combat:

The AMX-13 should be played as a scout or as an ATGM sniper. Be aware of your zoom sights as the AMX-13 lacks potent zoom. Use ATGMs when engaging far targets as your main gun will lose penetration at ranges longer than 300 m, reducing spalling or not penetrating enemy armour at all. Use your scout ability to mark targets for teammates and let them engage them. Using your speed, you are able to flank the enemy as you are able to cross the map side to side with relative ease and speed.

Modules

Tier	Mobility		Protection	Firepower
I	Tracks		Parts	Horizontal Drive
II	Suspension	Brake System	FPE	Adjustment of Fire	Airstrike	PCOT-51P
III	Filters		Crew Replenishment	Elevation Mechanism	Smoke grenade
IV	Transmission	Engine		Artillery Support	Improved optics

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Mouse-guided HOT missiles, capable of breaching even strong NERA plating
• Can annihilate a lot of tanks in quick succession
• Reasonably fast turret rotation speed

Cons:

• Autoreloader rearm time after 12 shots is long
• After you run out of HOT missiles you essentially drive a Rank IV light tank in a top-rank match
• Only 6 ATGMs
• Horrendous gun performance at top tier, you will be unable to penetrate almost all enemies frontally
• Oscillating turret causes up and down bobbing of the gunsight when coming to a stop
• Mediocre mobility for a light tank

History

Development

Development of the AMX-13 began in 1946 in response to a requirement by the French Army for a light tank to support paratroopers. It was designed at Atelier de Construction d'Issy-les-Moulineaux (AMX). A long line of prototypes lead to the production model. The first prototype was the AMX-13 2A in 1948, with four road wheels. Next came the 2B with five road wheels and a raised idler wheel, and the 2C with the FL-10 turret and two return rollers. The 2D introduced an arrangement with four return rollers.

Design

The turret held the commander and gunner, and was set to the rear of the vehicle. The hull was very compact and low profile, with the engine on the right side and the driver in the front, left side.

The main feature of the AMX-13 was the FL-10 oscillating turret, armed with a 75 mm gun with an automatic loader system fed by two six-round magazines, for a total of 12 rounds in the autoloading mechanism. The gun could depress 8° and elevate 12°, with 5° per second of elevation speed. The turret could rotate 360° with 30° per second of traverse speed. A TCV 107 laser rangefinder was provided to the gunner. 6 smoke grenade launchers were fitted on the turret, with 6 more grenades stored in the vehicle. One coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun was fitted, with 1,800 rounds in belts of 200. Another 7.62 mm machine gun could be fitted on an anti-aircraft mount with 1,800 rounds.

The gasoline engine produced 250 horsepower, and the manual transmission had five forward and one reverse gear. The suspension was of the torsion bar type. The drive sprockets were in the front, return rollers in the back, and there were five road wheels and four return rollers. The AMX-13 could reach a speed of 60 kph, and it had a range of 400 kilometers.

The protection of the AMX-13, it being a light tank, was not great. It could withstand heavy machine gun and low-caliber autocannon rounds from the front, but the sides could not even withstand heavy machine gun fire. An appliqué armor package was developed to increase protection at the choice of the user.

Production

Production began in 1952, at Atelier de Construction Roanne (ARE). Over 7,000 AMX-13s of all variants were produced, seeing export to a number of nations as well as seeing service with the French Army. Production shifted to Creusot-Loire at Chalon-sur-Saône in 1964, since ARE began producing the AMX-30 in that year.

Service

The French Army received most of the original 75 mm-armed version, with about 3,000 entering service. They were assigned to the regular armored units, which were mostly filled with M47 and M48 Patton medium tanks at the time. AMX-13 squadrons had four tanks, and were split into two sections of one infantry section and one light tank section each, along with an ammunition truck and command vehicle. These squadrons were used for screening and reconnaissance, locating enemy forces and engaging them. After the first section had engaged the enemy and was reloading, the second section engaged the enemy. The process of alternating reloading and firing between the sections allowed the tanks to hold off the enemy until medium tanks arrived.

In the 1960’s, the AMX-30 entered service. AMX-13s were used during the decolonization war in Algeria (1954-1962), although they saw little combat due to the lack of opposition and the terrain. After the French AMX-13s were up-gunned with the 90 mm gun, they often saw service in foreign theaters of operation due to their relative inexpensiveness. The AMX-13s were decommissioned and put into reserve starting in 1985.

HOT variant

The AMX-13 HOT was a prototype made by AMX featuring HOT launchers and ATGM as an intent to upgrade the AMX-13 SS.11

Media

Skins

Skins and camouflages for the AMX-13 (HOT) from live.warthunder.com.

Videos

The Shooting Range #77 - Pages of History section at 05:19 discusses the AMX-13.

The Shooting Range #148 - Metal Beasts section at 04:54 discusses the AMX-13 (HOT).

See also

Vehicles equipped with the same chassis

• AMX-13 (Family)

Vehicles equipped with the same missile

• RakJPz 2 (HOT)

External links

• [Wikipedia] AMX-13
• [Tanks Encyclopedia] AMX-13