Lorraine 40t
The Lorraine 40t was a prototype French medium tank of the Cold War.
Development
After the end of the Second World War, the French Army was in pressing need of a modern tank with heavy armament. In March 1945, French industry was invited to design a tank, which resulted in the AMX-50.
However, it was already obvious in the early 1950s that the AMX-50 tank might turn out to be too heavy due to attempts to improve the gun and armor in response to Soviet tanks such as the IS-3. Thus, in 1950, a 40 tonne medium tank project was started. The Lorraine company built a medium tank prototype based on their earlier Canon D’Assaut Lorraine project.
Description
The total weight was limited to 39.7 tonnes.[1] The Lorraine 40t featured a pike nose design similar to the IS-3. It had an oscillating turret like the AMX-50.[2] The Lorraine 40t mounted a 100 mm SA47 gun fed from a drum autoloader similar to that of the AMX-50 project.
The vehicle inherited the Veil Picard pneumatic tires from the Canon D’Assaut Lorraine which helped to reduce weight.[2] The engine used was the Maybach HL 295 12VC engine which gave a speed of 60 km/h (37 mph).[2]
The Lorraine 40t had a SCR 508 radio for external communications.[3]
The two prototypes were apparently scrapped after the discontinuation of the project.
References
- v
- t
- e
- M24 Chaffee
- AMX-13
- M4 Sherman
- Panther
- M26 Pershing
- M46 Patton
- ARL 44
- M47 Patton
- AMX-30
- Panhard EBR
- Panhard AML
- AMX-40
- AMX-50
- AMX Chasseur de Char
- Batignolles-Chatillon Char 25T
- Batignolles Chatillon 155mm
- Canon Automoteur AMX 50 Foch
- Canon D’Assaut Lorraine
- ELC project
- FCM 50t
- Lorraine 40t
- Lorraine 155 mm
- Somua S35 CA