Panhard M3 APC (France) KEY RECOGNITION FEATURES • Pointed front with well sloped glacis plate, driver's position in upper part, horizontal roof with main armament normally centre, secondary armament rear • Vertical hull sides with upper part sloping inwards, three observation/firing hatches each side, vertical hull rear with two outward-opening doors each with firing port • Two large road wheels each side with forward-opening door between, wheels outside hull envelope with mudguards which blow off if vehicle runs over mine
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SPECIFICATIONS
DEVELOPMENT
Crew: Armament: Length: Width: Height:
M3 (4x4) was developed by Panhard as a private venture, first prototype completed in 1969 and first production vehicles in 1971. Well over 1,200 have been built for export with sales made to some 35 countries. Ninety-five per cent of automotive components are identical to those of the Panhard AML range 4x4 armoured cars. Panhard M3 is used for a wide range of roles including internal security, ambulance and command post. Driver sits front, engine to his rear, troop compartment occupies remainder of vehicle. Troops enter and leave via single door in sides and twin doors in rear. Eight firing ports. Wide range of turrets, mounts and cupolas can be mounted on roof armed with cannon, machine guns and ATGWs such as MILAN. Vehicle is fully amphibious, propelled by its wheels. Wide range of optional equipment including front-mounted winch, air-conditioning system and two electrically operated smoke grenade dischargers.
2+10 See text 4.45m 2.4m 2.48m (with twin 7.62mm MG turret) Height to hull top: 2m Ground clearance: 0.35m 2.7m Wheelbase: 6,100kg Weight, combat: 5,300kg Weight, unloaded: Power-to-weight ratio: 14.75hp/tonne Panhard Model 4 HD 4-cylinder Engine: air-cooled petrol developing 90hp at 4,700rpm 90km/hr Maximum road speed: Maximum water speed: 4km/hr 600km Maximum road range: Fuel capacity: 165 lit Amphibious Fording: 0.3m Vertical obstacle: 0.8m Trench (1 channel): 3.1m Trench (5 channels): 60% Gradient: Side slope: 30% Armour: 12mm (maximum) Armour type: Steel NBC system: Optional Night vision equipment: Optional
VARIANTS M3/VDA anti-aircraft vehicle with one-man power-operated turret armed with twin 20mm cannon. Before firing four outriggers are lowered to ground for a more stable firing platform. This version known to be in service with Ivory Coast, Niger and United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi). M3/VAT repair vehicle with lifting gear at rear. M3/VPC command vehicle with extensive communications equipment. M3/VLA engineer vehicle with front-mounted obstacleclearing blade. M3/VTS ambulance which carries four stretcher patients or six walking wounded, or a mixture, plus its crew. M3 radar can be fitted with wide range of radars including RASIT
