ARL-44 (ACL-1)

ARL-44 (ACL-1)

2C

▄M4A3E2

ARL-44 (ACL-1)

2C

▄M4A3E2

France

III Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
3.7	3.7	3.7

Class:

Heavy tank

Research:18 000

Purchase:47 000

Show in game

This page is about the heavy tank ARL-44 (ACL-1). For the tank destroyer version, see ARL-44.

Description

The ARL-44 (ACL-1) is a Rank III French heavy tank with a battle rating of 3.7 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.75 "La Résistance". The ARL-44 (ACL-1) is the second heavy tank in the French tree. It is a well-rounded foe more suited for a medium tank role than an heavy one due to lacking armour (which is still very good). It distinguishes from previous French heavy tanks for having a potent gun. The ARL-44 (ACL-1) is a prototype design that would be finalized as the ARL-44.

The ARL-44 (ACL-1) bears very distinctive characteristics, with a WWI-style track system (similar to the Churchill) which runs across the whole side of its chassis. This tank is a mix of different inspirations, mainly late war German tank technology such as the Panther series or the Tiger II, from which it takes its slope frontal armour and tall profile. As France was reviving from WW2, its engineers were hard at work to catch up with tank technology, the ARL-44 series was a training ground for them. This is why this tank has rather weird design choices, coming from both experience and experimentation.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armour type:

• Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull)
• Cast homogeneous armour (Turret, gun mantlet, MG port)

Armour	Front (Slope angle)	Sides	Rear	Roof
Hull	60 mm (48°) Front glacis 100 mm (spherical) MG port 50 mm Hull compartment between the tracks 50 mm (63°) Lower glacis	50 mm 25 mm Tracks cover	35 mm (32°) Rear glacis 35 mm (20°) Hull compartment between the tracks	20 mm 5 mm Radiator vents 5 mm (18°) Engine access panel
Turret	100 mm (0-44°) Turret front 80-100 + 30 mm (spherical) Gun mantlet	60 mm (3°)	30 mm 20 mm Rear hatch	20 mm (13-15°)
Cupola	60 mm			20 mm

Notes:

• Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick while tracks are 20 mm thick and bogies are 10 mm thick.
• 25 mm RHA plate separate the engine from the crew compartment.
• Turret ring is 55 mm thick, with an additional 20 mm armour behind it.

The armour on this version of the ARL-44 is average as it can be penetrated by most foes it encounters up close from the front: with 60 mm at 48°, it is similar to a M4A3 (105). With that in mind, this tank should be kept a fair distance from the frontline. In order to put this "land battleship" to good use, it should be angled at about 25° facing towards the enemy. An even better way to maximise its armour is by keeping an hull-down position, using its -10° depression : turret armour is ~100 mm thick, with a bit of distance and angle, most rounds will not penetrate.

Be advised that this tank has 3 main ammo racks: between driver and machine gunner, in the turret's back and in the plain middle of the right track, shooting them down can be an easy ammorack explosion. Another thing to consider is this tank's large elevation mechanism, a penetrating shot to the tank's center of mass may damage or disable it, making it very hard for this foe to return fire.

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	40	9	47	775	1,145	16.49	24.36
Realistic	38	8		531	600	11.3	12.77

At 47 tons, this is not a light tank, even more so that its tracks have bad ground traction. What saves this vehicles from feeling too slow is its 954 HP engine, capable of maintaining its top speed even when climbing slight hills. Do not expect too much from this tank, especially in highly inclined and soft terrains. Don't forget its reverse speed of only -4 km/h won't get you out quick of the situations: don't overextend.

Armaments

Main armament

75 mm SA44					Turret rotation speed (°/s)					Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode	Capacity	Vertical	Horizontal	Stabilizer	Stock	Upgraded	Full	Expert	Aced	Stock	Full	Expert	Aced
Arcade	37	-10°/+20°	±180°	N/A	12.1	16.8	20.4	22.6	24.0	9.75	8.63	7.95	7.50
Realistic					8.9	10.5	12.8	14.1	15.0

When compared to other tanks at the same battle rating, it has the same characteristics as other medium tanks' gun, the weak points being its lack of explosive filler and the long reload time.

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
75 mm OR Mle.44	APC	111	108	96	82	71	61
75 mm OE Mle.28	HE	10	10	10	10	10	10

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%
75 mm OR Mle.44	APC	700	6.5	N/A	N/A	N/A	48°	63°	71°
75 mm OE Mle.28	HE	700	6.2	0.4	0.1	675	79°	80°	81°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the ARL-44 (ACL-1)

Full ammo	1st rack empty	2nd rack empty	3rd rack empty	Visual discrepancy
37	25 (+12)	13 (+24)	1 (+36)	No

Notes:

• Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
• Turret empty: 25 (+12) shells

Machine guns

7.5 mm MAC 31
Mount	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal
Coaxial	5,000 (150)	1,350	N/A	N/A

The small calibre of the MAC 31 machine gun makes it largely ineffective against all armoured vehicles but the ones with an open compartment. It still can be used to ping targets as a rangefinding help or to mow down minor obstacles blocking your line of sight.

Usage in battles

Combat tactics

The ARL-44 (ACL-1) is a relatively well armoured vehicle and should be played as a support tank: take advantage of your strong armour to shrug enemy fire off from a distance while answering with well placed shots. Your frontal glacis and turret armour are strong enough to resist most enemy guns beyond 500 m. But there are weak spots your opponents will prioritize: the front glacis (if not properly angled) and the turret cupola. Refrain from rushing towards the frontline: your sides are weak and your turret traverse speed is slow so avoid close combat. Staying at a distance from the frontline will also prevent from being taken in a pincer move. Your gun has a good penetration power allowing you to stay at a distance but the lack of explosive filler is detrimental to your performance as you'll need two to three shells to take down enemies. Your reload time is a bit longer than most opponents, so aim precisely and make every shot count. Your mobility is rather poor, with a rigid suspension, outdated tracks and a long and cumbersome chassis. Terrain irregularities will make you slow down and hinder your progress. Position your hull carefully when getting to a shooting spot to avoid hull twitching that will impact your targeting process.

Notable enemies

• Tank destroyers with powerful guns that can penetrate you from afar: M10, StuG III F, YaG-10 (29-K), ASU-57, SU-85A, Achilles, Na-To, 90/53 M41M, Breda 501, Pvkv II and Pvkv m/43 (1946). You can add the Pz.IV F2, the Pz.IV G to the list as they sport powerful cannons too.
• Tanks firing HEAT shells that can defeat your frontal glacis: 75/34 M43, P40,
• Tanks whose cannon is powerful enough when in close proximity: any M24, any Sherman (M4, M4A1, M4A2, M4A4, M4A5), any T-34 (1941, 1942, 1943, E STz), any KV-2 (1939, 1940, 754), the Chi-Nu and the AMX-13 (FL11).
• Heavy tank able to resist your fire and get close enough to damage you: KV-1S, MK-II "Matilda"

How to defeat a ARL-44 (ACL-1)

• Do not attack the ARL-44 (ACL-1) frontally unless you have enough armour to afford it.
• Sneak around it and target the turret from the back or the side. The ARL-44 (ACL-1) has a slow turret traverse and flat side and rear armour, making it especially vulnerable to flanking.
• If you have no other option than to attack it frontally, blind it with smoke before closing the gap. Target either the turret cupola or the lower part of the front glacis when the ARL-44 (ACL-1) is not angling as they are weak spots.

Modules

Tier	Mobility		Protection	Firepower
I	Tracks		Parts	Horizontal Drive
II	Suspension	Brake System	FPE	Adjustment of Fire
III	Filters		Crew Replenishment	Elevation Mechanism
IV	Transmission	Engine

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Good gun
• Okay mobility for a heavy tank, suited with a powerful engine
• Hull turning is fast due to wide hull
• 5 crew members for increased internal survivability
• Thick side armour enables strong angling
• Complex side armour can negate HEAT round effectiveness
• -10° of gun depression

Cons:

• Large profile makes it a well-known battlefield target
• Many tanks can reliably penetrate its frontal armour.
• No explosives in APC shots
• Large elevation mechanism, often get damaged
• Bad ammo storage layout makes ammo rack shots frequent
• Track traction is subpar (pre-war track pattern)
• Thin roof armour
• Many shot traps
• Long reload time
• Only 2 shell choices
• Weak 20 mm plate in turret back protects one of the main ammo racks.
• Subpar reverse speed

History

Development

The ARL-44 (ACL-1) was the initial variant of the ARL-44 in 1944, with a 75 mm SA 44 gun, a 60 mm sloped front plate and an ACL1 turret designed by the shipyard "Ateliers et Chantiers de la Loire". Isolated from the latest evolutions of tank design, the tank was deemed too weak and sent back to the drawing board to equip the tank with better armour and firepower. The design evolved towards the known version of the ARL-44: a 90 mm gun, a Schneider turret and a 120 mm sloped front plate. While 60 ACL1 turrets were ordered, the ARL-44 (ACL-1) never made it past the prototype stage.

Combat usage

The ARL-44 (ACL-1) saw no service or combat action.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the ARL-44 (ACL-1) from live.warthunder.com.

Videos

ARL-44 (ACL-1), French, Tier-3, Heavy Tank - Angry Nerd Gaming

ARL-44 (ACL-1) Tank Review - NUSensei

See also

Vehicles equipped with the same chassis

• ARL-44

Other vehicles of similar configuration and role

• Churchill III

External links

• [Wikipedia] ARL 44
• [Tanks Encyclopedia] ARL-44

France heavy tanks
B1	B1 bis · B1 ter
2C	2C · 2C bis
ARL-44	ARL-44 (ACL-1)
AMX-50	Somua SM · AMX-50 Surbaissé · AMX-50 Surblindé
USA	▄M4A3E2