Difference between revisions of "AML-90 (Israel)"

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== Description ==
 
== Description ==
 
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
 
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
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The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Israeli light tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Wind of Change"]].
+
The AML-90 was developed by the French company Panhard in the late 1950s, as a response to a commission by the French Ministry of Defense. It was based on the earlier AML-60, which mounted a 60 mm mortar as its main weapon. The AML-90 replaced the mortar with a DEFA low-pressure 90 mm rifled gun capable of firing high-explosive and high-explosive anti-tank shells. The AML-90 was used by several countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, but one of its most notable users was Israel. Israel acquired about 23 AML-90s from France in the early 1960s, and used them extensively in the Six-Day War of 1967 and the Yom Kippur War of 1973, amongst others.
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 +
Introduced in [[Update "Wind of Change"]], relies heavily on its speed and good positioning to avoid getting killed, since the lack of armour of the AML-90 makes it so that any shot would result in death, even .50 cal can penetrate the armour of the AML-90. Therefore, it should be used in flanking manoeuvres, harassing enemies, capturing points, and supporting allies. It features a very powerful 90 mm cannon with good penetration and decent reload speed. Since it is a wheeled vehicle, it may get stuck in some terrains, and as such using it in flat areas should be prioritized.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
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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.'' -->
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''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.''
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The AML-90 was designed to be fast, agile, and air-transportable, making it suitable for various terrains and climates. However, these traits came at the cost of the AML-90's armour, as the {{PAGENAME}} lacks protection against heavy machine gun fire and is susceptible to damage by light machine gun fire. The crew is located in a rather small compartment, making the armoured car prompt to being knocked out by a single shot from almost any direction. It is also vulnerable to overpressure, meaning chemical energy ammunition will take out your vehicle regardless of where they impact. A kinetic energy ammunition can damage your AML through the projectile itself or the spalling generated but the inflicted damages are lesser and has a higher chance to knock out the crew members or critical modules than to destroy the vehicle. It should be noted that the thin armour has a chance to not activate fused shells like APHE, APCBC, etc, although it will trigger HEAT, HEATFS, HE and ATGM.
  
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'''Armour type:''' <!-- The types of armour present on the vehicle and their general locations -->
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'''Armour type:'''
−
<!-- Example: * Rolled homogeneous armour (Front, Side, Rear, Hull roof)
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−
* Cast homogeneous armour (Turret, Transmission area) -->
+
* Rolled homogeneous armour (hull, turret)
 +
* Structural steel (mudguards, storage boxes)
 +
* Wheel (tires)
  
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
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! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Hull || ___ mm || ___ mm ''Top'' <br> ___ mm ''Bottom'' || ___ mm || ___ - ___ mm
+
| Hull || 10 mm (51°) ''Upper glacis'' <br> 10 mm (17°) ''Upper glacis'' || 10 mm (4°) ''Front half'' <br> 10 mm (6°) ''Rear half'' || 10 mm ''Upper plate'' <br> 10 mm (46°) ''Upper glacis'' <br> 10 mm (20°) ''Lower glacis'' || 10 mm (40°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 10 mm (44°) ''Rear glacis''
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Turret || ___ - ___ mm ''Turret front'' <br> ___ mm ''Gun mantlet'' || ___ - ___ mm || ___ - ___ mm || ___ - ___ mm
+
|Turret || 12 mm (30°) ''Turret front'' <br> 12 mm (8°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 10 mm (17-21°) <br> 10 mm ''Viewports'' || 10 mm (16°) || 10 mm (16°) ''Front part'' <br> 10 mm ''Rear part'' <br> 8 mm ''Gunner hatch''
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Cupola || ___ mm || ___ mm || ___ mm || ___ mm
+
|Cupola || colspan="4" style="text-align:center" | 8 mm (spherical)
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
 +
'''Notes:'''
  
−
'''Notes:''' <!-- Any additional notes which the user needs to be aware of -->
+
* Wheels are 10 mm thick and a spare wheel covers the left side of the hull.
−
<!-- Example: * Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick, tracks are 30 mm thick, and torsion bars are 60 mm thick. -->
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* Storage boxes and mudguards are 5 mm thick.
 +
* The belly is 8 mm thick.
 +
* The gun barrel is 20 mm thick.
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
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<!-- ''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.'' -->
  
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{{tankMobility|abMinHp=139|rbMinHp=91}}
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{{tankMobility|abMinHp=139|rbMinHp=80}}
 +
 
 +
The AML-90 has very good top speed while on flat and stable surfaces like roads and ice. Mobility however in irregular terrain may result in the AML-90 getting stuck or having very bad speed, sometimes only being capable of reaching 20-30 km/h. The acceleration is a little inferior compared to MBTs and other armoured vehicles at the battle rating, however it has very good reverse speed compared to most MBTs that will save your life in the battlefield.
  
 
=== Modifications and economy ===
 
=== Modifications and economy ===
 
{{Specs-Economy}}
 
{{Specs-Economy}}
 +
 +
Tankers should prioritize upgrades to improve the traction and survivability of the vehicle, as well as mobility upgrades as late modifications. Priority upgrades listed below:
 +
 +
* Improved Parts
 +
* Tires
 +
* Smoke Grenades
 +
* Crew Replenishment
 +
* Improved Optics
 +
* Suspension
 +
 +
After this upgrades, going for the mobility upgrades would compensate somehow the lacking of acceleration while going for the rest of firepower would improve the turret performance.
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
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<!-- ''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: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. 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.'' -->
 
<!-- ''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: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. 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.'' -->
 
{{main|DEFA F1 (90 mm)}}
 
{{main|DEFA F1 (90 mm)}}
 +
 +
The 90 mm DEFA F1 cannon is a very solid choice for its BR, since it features very good penetration with its HEAT ammunition with decent reload rate when stock. The post penetration damage may feel insufficient, thus careful aiming is very important.
  
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
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|-
 
|-
 
! ''Arcade''
 
! ''Arcade''
−
| rowspan="2" | 20 || rowspan="2" | -8°/+15° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 23.8 || 32.9 || 40.0 || 44.2 || 47.1 || rowspan="2" | 8.71 || rowspan="2" | 7.71 || rowspan="2" | 7.10 || rowspan="2" | 6.70
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| rowspan="2" | 20 || rowspan="2" | -8°/+15° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | - || 23.8 || 32.9 || 40.0 || 44.2 || 47.1 || rowspan="2" | 8.71 || rowspan="2" | 7.70 || rowspan="2" | 7.10 || rowspan="2" | 6.70
 
|-
 
|-
 
! ''Realistic''
 
! ''Realistic''
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==== Ammunition ====
 
==== Ammunition ====
−
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
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{{:DEFA F1 (90 mm)/Ammunition|OCC 60-62, OE 90 F1, OFUM PH90-F2}}
−
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
 
−
|-
 
−
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
−
! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
 
−
! colspan="6" | Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
 
−
|-
 
−
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
 
−
|-
 
−
| OCC 60-62 || HEATFS || 320 || 320 || 320 || 320 || 320 || 320
 
−
|-
 
−
| OE 90 F1 || HE || 13 || 13 || 13 || 13 || 13 || 13
 
−
|-
 
−
|}
 
−
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 
−
! colspan="10" | Shell details
 
−
|-
 
−
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
−
! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
 
−
! rowspan="2" | Velocity<br>(m/s)
 
−
! rowspan="2" | Projectile<br>Mass (kg)
 
−
! rowspan="2" | Fuse delay<br>(m)
 
−
! rowspan="2" | Fuse sensitivity<br>(mm)
 
−
! rowspan="2" | Explosive Mass<br>(TNT equivalent) (g)
 
−
! colspan="3" | Ricochet
 
−
|-
 
−
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
 
−
|-
 
−
| OCC 60-62 || HEATFS || 750 || 8.95 || 0.05 || 0.1 || 877.7 || 65° || 72° || 77°
 
−
|-
 
−
| OE 90 F1 || HE || 640 || 10.45 || 0 || 0.1 || 945 || 79° || 80° || 81°
 
−
|-
 
−
|}
 
−
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
−
! colspan="7" | Smoke shell characteristics
 
−
|-
 
−
! Ammunition
 
−
! Velocity<br>(m/s)
 
−
! Projectile<br>Mass (kg)
 
−
! Screen radius<br>(m)
 
−
! Screen deploy time<br>(s)
 
−
! Screen hold time<br>(s)
 
−
! Explosive Mass<br>(TNT equivalent) (g)
 
−
|-
 
−
| OFUM PH90-F2 || 640 || 10.2 || 13 || 5 || 20 || 50
 
−
|-
 
−
|}
 
  
 
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
 
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
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'''Notes''':
 
'''Notes''':
  
−
* Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
+
* Shells are modelled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
 
* Racks 3 and 4 are first stage ammo racks. They total 10 shells and get filled first when loading up the tank.
 
* Racks 3 and 4 are first stage ammo racks. They total 10 shells and get filled first when loading up the tank.
 
** These racks are also emptied early: the rack depletion order at full capacity is: 3 - 4 - 1 - 2.
 
** These racks are also emptied early: the rack depletion order at full capacity is: 3 - 4 - 1 - 2.
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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)}}
 +
 +
The 7.62 mm MG of the AML-90 is only useful against low-flying helicopters lacking armour. Most targets are invulnerable to this calibre at all points and tracks are also usually strong enough to hold many shots of this MG.
  
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
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| Pintle || 800 (100) || 900 || -10°/+40° || ±120°
 
| Pintle || 800 (100) || 900 || -10°/+40° || ±120°
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Coaxial || 2,150 (100) || 900 || N/A || N/A
+
| Coaxial || 2,200 (100) || 900 || - || -
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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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).'' -->
−
''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 AML-90 relies on speed to survive in the battlefield. Positioning is very important, flanking since the start of the game, picking apart slow enemies from the sides. Use in frontline combat is highly not advised since it can be penetrated by even .50 cal fire.
 +
 
 +
When flanking, the AML-90 needs to shoot and change position quickly, while staying hidden. The gun of the AML-90 takes some time to stabilize when stopping and as such, rushed shots may result in a miss, and the play style of the AML-90 is not very friendly. Prioritize heavy targets and shoot from hidden positions like forest or hills, often from relatively close range due to the lack of a rangefinder. While flanking, players can also scout enemies, and only target opponents that can be taken out easily.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->
 
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->
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''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".''
 
  
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
  
−
* Is very short and narrow, can effectively hide itself
+
* Very short and narrow, can effectively hide itself and squeeze in-between tanks , shrubs and bushes while fighting in a city
−
* High speed on road (~50-80 km/h), faster than tracked light tanks like [[M41A1|M41]]
+
* High speed on road (~50-80 km/h), faster than tracked light tanks like [[M41A1]], can sometimes rush through enemy fire while taking superficial damage
−
* 90mm HEATFS is lethal thanks to its high penetration. Can go through almost all common tanks like [[Leopard 1 (Family)|Leopard 1]]
+
* Generous speed off road (~40-50 km/h), allowing to be faster most medium tanks such as the [[T-54 (1949)|T-54]] and [[Leopard 1]] although it may lag behind some tracked light tanks such as the [[Wiesel 1A4]].
 +
* 90 mm HEATFS is lethal thanks to its high penetration. Can go through almost all common tanks like [[Leopard 1 (Family)|Leopard 1]] or [[T-44]]
 
* -18 km/h reverse speed can pull it out of a dangerous situation rather quickly
 
* -18 km/h reverse speed can pull it out of a dangerous situation rather quickly
−
* -8° gun depression allows it to hull-down comfortably
+
* Smoke grenades can conceal the vehicle when needed
−
 
+
* Stable hull, driving at maximum speed on flat terrain does not affect accuracy too much
−
*
 
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
  
−
* Cannon isn't stabilised in any way, can be very fatal considering that the gun needs a while to fully stabilise when braking a fast vehicle
+
* Cannon itself isn't stabilised in any way, needs significant amount of time to aim after driving over a hill or any slope (particularly with the low "targeting" crew skill)
−
* HEAT has limited post-penetration damage especially against spacious tanks like [[M60 (Family)|M60]]
+
* Must be used without expert crew against elite crews of other nations, making it instantly inferior to the same tank of other nations at first
−
* Wheeled design makes it extremely sluggish in off-road conditions
+
* Armour is so poor that even German 7.92 mm can penetrate it at close range, laughably easy to destroy with HMG even over long range, especially from the side
−
* Armour cannot stop any projectile except rifle-caliber bullets shot from a distance (eg. 400m)
+
* HEATFS has limited post-penetration damage especially against spacious tanks like [[M60 (Family)|M60]] and may fail to damage tanks like the [[T32E1]]
−
 
+
* HEATFS of AML-90 is slightly slower than general tank ammunition and thus its trajectory is quite curved, long range shots require practice
−
*
+
* Wheeled design and low mass makes it extremely sluggish when turning or driving through obstacles
  
 
== 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).'' -->
−
''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 AML-90 is a variant of a light armoured car developed by the French company Panhard in the late 1950s. It was designed to replace the older and less capable scout vehicles that the French Army had used during World War II, such as the AMD 35 and the Laffly S15. The AML family of cars had a had a four-wheel drive chassis, a three-man crew, and the AML-90 had a 90 mm low-pressure gun that could fire high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) shells. The AML-90 was also very agile and compact, making it suitable for reconnaissance and raiding missions in various terrains.
 +
 
 +
One of the most notable users of the AML-90 was Israel, who were impressed by the vehicle's mobility and compact size. Israel received their first batch of 29 vehicles by the end of 1963, where they were assigned to the reconnaissance units of the IDF, where they performed scouting, screening, and raiding missions. The AML-90s saw action in several conflicts with Israel's Arab neighbours, such as the Six-Day War in 1967<ref>Nachum Baruchy: ''The Hare'l (10th) Armoured Brigade In The Six Day War''. Ariel Publishing, Jerusalem. 2010 (In Hebrew).</ref>, the War of Attrition<ref>''Defence Update (International)''. Defence Update G.m.b.H., 1984, 1984–85 Volume Collected Issues 48–58</ref> from 1967 to 1970, and the Yom Kippur War in 1973, where the AML-90 demonstrated their mobility, firepower, and reliability in the harsh desert terrain. They often engaged enemy tanks and armoured vehicles at long distances, using their 90 mm HEATFS shells to penetrate their armour.
 +
 
 +
Of particular note is the the Arab–Israeli conflict , where the AML-90 achieved some of the highest armour-to-armour kill ratios achieved with the AML platform to date, which included the destruction of 13 Jordanian and Egyptian T-54s<ref>''Armed Forces''. Contributions by the Royal United Services Institute for Defence Studies. Allan Limited and the Royal United Services Institute for Defence Studies. 1986.</ref>.
 +
 
 +
However, the AML-90s also faced many challenges and limitations in these wars. They were vulnerable to enemy anti-tank missiles, such as the Soviet-made [[9M14|9M14 Malyutka]], which could hit them from longer ranges than their guns. They also lacked adequate protection against mines and artillery fire, which caused many casualties among their crews. Moreover, they were outnumbered by the larger and more modern tanks and armoured vehicles of the Arab and Jordanian armies, such as the T-54, T55, and M48 Patton. As a result, the AML-90s suffered heavy losses in some battles, such as the Battle of Karameh in 1968 and the Battle of Chinese Farm in 1973.
 +
 
 +
The AML-90s continued to serve in the IDF until the late 1980s, when they were gradually replaced by more advanced vehicles, such as the M113 APCs and the Merkava tanks. They were also sold or donated to some of Israel's allies, such as South Lebanon Army and Ethiopia.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
 
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
−
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''
+
 
 +
;Skins
 +
 
 +
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=il_aml_90 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
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* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
−
''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;''
+
;Related development
−
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
+
 
 +
* [[AML-90 (Family)]]
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
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* ''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:''
 
  
−
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
+
'''References'''
−
* ''other literature.''
+
 
 +
<references />
  
 +
{{TankManufacturer Panhard}}
 
{{Israel light tanks}}
 
{{Israel light tanks}}
 
[[Category:Wheeled ground vehicles]]
 
[[Category:Wheeled ground vehicles]]

Latest revision as of 10:20, 6 August 2023

Rank VI | Premium | Golden Eagles
Chinese A-5C Pack
This page is about the light tank AML-90 (Israel). For other versions, see AML-90 (Family).
AML-90
il_aml_90.png
GarageImage AML-90 (Israel).jpg
AML-90
Israel flag.png Israel
IV Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
7.0 7.7 7.7
Class:
Research:63 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:200 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The AML-90 was developed by the French company Panhard in the late 1950s, as a response to a commission by the French Ministry of Defense. It was based on the earlier AML-60, which mounted a 60 mm mortar as its main weapon. The AML-90 replaced the mortar with a DEFA low-pressure 90 mm rifled gun capable of firing high-explosive and high-explosive anti-tank shells. The AML-90 was used by several countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, but one of its most notable users was Israel. Israel acquired about 23 AML-90s from France in the early 1960s, and used them extensively in the Six-Day War of 1967 and the Yom Kippur War of 1973, amongst others.

Introduced in Update "Wind of Change", relies heavily on its speed and good positioning to avoid getting killed, since the lack of armour of the AML-90 makes it so that any shot would result in death, even .50 cal can penetrate the armour of the AML-90. Therefore, it should be used in flanking manoeuvres, harassing enemies, capturing points, and supporting allies. It features a very powerful 90 mm cannon with good penetration and decent reload speed. Since it is a wheeled vehicle, it may get stuck in some terrains, and as such using it in flat areas should be prioritized.

General info

Survivability and armour

Smoke grenades
Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle
Armourfront / side / back
Hull10 / 10 / 10
Turret12 / 10 / 10
Crew3 people
Visibility84 %

The AML-90 was designed to be fast, agile, and air-transportable, making it suitable for various terrains and climates. However, these traits came at the cost of the AML-90's armour, as the AML-90 (Israel) lacks protection against heavy machine gun fire and is susceptible to damage by light machine gun fire. The crew is located in a rather small compartment, making the armoured car prompt to being knocked out by a single shot from almost any direction. It is also vulnerable to overpressure, meaning chemical energy ammunition will take out your vehicle regardless of where they impact. A kinetic energy ammunition can damage your AML through the projectile itself or the spalling generated but the inflicted damages are lesser and has a higher chance to knock out the crew members or critical modules than to destroy the vehicle. It should be noted that the thin armour has a chance to not activate fused shells like APHE, APCBC, etc, although it will trigger HEAT, HEATFS, HE and ATGM.

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour (hull, turret)
  • Structural steel (mudguards, storage boxes)
  • Wheel (tires)
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 10 mm (51°) Upper glacis
10 mm (17°) Upper glacis 		10 mm (4°) Front half
10 mm (6°) Rear half 		10 mm Upper plate
10 mm (46°) Upper glacis
10 mm (20°) Lower glacis 		10 mm (40°) Front glacis
10 mm (44°) Rear glacis
Turret 12 mm (30°) Turret front
12 mm (8°) Gun mantlet 		10 mm (17-21°)
10 mm Viewports 		10 mm (16°) 10 mm (16°) Front part
10 mm Rear part
8 mm Gunner hatch
Cupola 8 mm (spherical)

Notes:

  • Wheels are 10 mm thick and a spare wheel covers the left side of the hull.
  • Storage boxes and mudguards are 5 mm thick.
  • The belly is 8 mm thick.
  • The gun barrel is 20 mm thick.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB101 / 20 km/h
RB and SB91 / 18 km/h
Number of gears10 forward
2 back
Weight5.5 t
Engine power
AB172 hp
RB and SB90 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB31.3 hp/t
RB and SB16.4 hp/t
Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 101 20 5.5 139 172 25.27 31.27
Realistic 91 18 80 90 14.55 16.36

The AML-90 has very good top speed while on flat and stable surfaces like roads and ice. Mobility however in irregular terrain may result in the AML-90 getting stuck or having very bad speed, sometimes only being capable of reaching 20-30 km/h. The acceleration is a little inferior compared to MBTs and other armoured vehicles at the battle rating, however it has very good reverse speed compared to most MBTs that will save your life in the battlefield.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB2 445 → 3 550 Sl icon.png
RB2 954 → 4 289 Sl icon.png
SB3 995 → 5 800 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications52 700 Rp icon.png
90 600 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost1 700 Ge icon.png
Crew training57 000 Sl icon.png
Experts200 000 Sl icon.png
Aces800 Ge icon.png
Research Aces520 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
110 / 140 / 190 % Sl icon.png
172 / 172 / 172 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new wheels.png
Tires
Research:
3 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 000 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods new car suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
2 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 100 Sl icon.png
145 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
2 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 100 Sl icon.png
145 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Research:
2 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 500 Sl icon.png
155 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Research:
4 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
7 400 Sl icon.png
260 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
4 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
7 400 Sl icon.png
260 Ge icon.png
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Research:
3 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 000 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Research:
2 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 100 Sl icon.png
145 Ge icon.png
Mods tank reinforcement il.png
Crew Replenishment
Research:
2 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 500 Sl icon.png
155 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Research:
3 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 000 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
2 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 100 Sl icon.png
145 Ge icon.png
Mods airstrike.png
Airstrike
Research:
2 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 100 Sl icon.png
145 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
2 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 500 Sl icon.png
155 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
90mm_CN90_Smoke_ammo_pack
Research:
2 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 500 Sl icon.png
155 Ge icon.png
Mods smoke screen.png
Smoke grenade
Research:
2 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 500 Sl icon.png
155 Ge icon.png
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support
Research:
4 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
7 400 Sl icon.png
260 Ge icon.png
Mods scouting.png
Improved optics
Research:
4 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
7 400 Sl icon.png
260 Ge icon.png

Tankers should prioritize upgrades to improve the traction and survivability of the vehicle, as well as mobility upgrades as late modifications. Priority upgrades listed below:

  • Improved Parts
  • Tires
  • Smoke Grenades
  • Crew Replenishment
  • Improved Optics
  • Suspension

After this upgrades, going for the mobility upgrades would compensate somehow the lacking of acceleration while going for the rest of firepower would improve the turret performance.

Armaments

Main armament

90 mm DEFA F1 cannon
Ammunition20 rounds
First-order10 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
8.7 → 6.7 s
Vertical guidance-8° / 15°
Main article: DEFA F1 (90 mm)

The 90 mm DEFA F1 cannon is a very solid choice for its BR, since it features very good penetration with its HEAT ammunition with decent reload rate when stock. The post penetration damage may feel insufficient, thus careful aiming is very important.

90 mm DEFA F1 Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 20 -8°/+15° ±180° - 23.8 32.9 40.0 44.2 47.1 8.71 7.70 7.10 6.70
Realistic 14.9 17.5 21.3 23.5 25.0

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
OCC 60-62 HEATFS 350 350 350 350 350 350
OE 90 F1 HE 13 13 13 13 13 13
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 60-62 HEATFS 800 3.65 0.05 0.1 877.7 65° 72° 77°
OE 90 F1 HE 640 5.27 0.2 0.1 945 79° 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 PH90-F2 640 5.4 9 5 20 50

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the AML-90 (Israel)
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		3rd
rack empty 		4th
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
20 17 (+3) 11 (+9) 6 (+14) 1 (+19) No

Notes:

  • Shells are modelled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
  • Racks 3 and 4 are first stage ammo racks. They total 10 shells and get filled first when loading up the tank.
    • These racks are also emptied early: the rack depletion order at full capacity is: 3 - 4 - 1 - 2.
    • Simply not firing when the gun is loaded will move ammunition from rack 1 then 2 into ready rack 4 then 3. Firing will interrupt the restocking of the ready racks.

Machine guns

7.62 mm A-A-F1N machine gun (coaxial)
Ammunition2 200 rounds
Belt capacity100 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate900 shots/min
7.62 mm A-A-F1N machine gun
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 7.62 mm MG of the AML-90 is only useful against low-flying helicopters lacking armour. Most targets are invulnerable to this calibre at all points and tracks are also usually strong enough to hold many shots of this MG.

7.62 mm A-A-F1N
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Pintle 800 (100) 900 -10°/+40° ±120°
Coaxial 2,200 (100) 900 - -

Usage in battles

The AML-90 relies on speed to survive in the battlefield. Positioning is very important, flanking since the start of the game, picking apart slow enemies from the sides. Use in frontline combat is highly not advised since it can be penetrated by even .50 cal fire.

When flanking, the AML-90 needs to shoot and change position quickly, while staying hidden. The gun of the AML-90 takes some time to stabilize when stopping and as such, rushed shots may result in a miss, and the play style of the AML-90 is not very friendly. Prioritize heavy targets and shoot from hidden positions like forest or hills, often from relatively close range due to the lack of a rangefinder. While flanking, players can also scout enemies, and only target opponents that can be taken out easily.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Very short and narrow, can effectively hide itself and squeeze in-between tanks , shrubs and bushes while fighting in a city
  • High speed on road (~50-80 km/h), faster than tracked light tanks like M41A1, can sometimes rush through enemy fire while taking superficial damage
  • Generous speed off road (~40-50 km/h), allowing to be faster most medium tanks such as the T-54 and Leopard 1 although it may lag behind some tracked light tanks such as the Wiesel 1A4.
  • 90 mm HEATFS is lethal thanks to its high penetration. Can go through almost all common tanks like Leopard 1 or T-44
  • -18 km/h reverse speed can pull it out of a dangerous situation rather quickly
  • Smoke grenades can conceal the vehicle when needed
  • Stable hull, driving at maximum speed on flat terrain does not affect accuracy too much

Cons:

  • Cannon itself isn't stabilised in any way, needs significant amount of time to aim after driving over a hill or any slope (particularly with the low "targeting" crew skill)
  • Must be used without expert crew against elite crews of other nations, making it instantly inferior to the same tank of other nations at first
  • Armour is so poor that even German 7.92 mm can penetrate it at close range, laughably easy to destroy with HMG even over long range, especially from the side
  • HEATFS has limited post-penetration damage especially against spacious tanks like M60 and may fail to damage tanks like the T32E1
  • HEATFS of AML-90 is slightly slower than general tank ammunition and thus its trajectory is quite curved, long range shots require practice
  • Wheeled design and low mass makes it extremely sluggish when turning or driving through obstacles

History

The AML-90 is a variant of a light armoured car developed by the French company Panhard in the late 1950s. It was designed to replace the older and less capable scout vehicles that the French Army had used during World War II, such as the AMD 35 and the Laffly S15. The AML family of cars had a had a four-wheel drive chassis, a three-man crew, and the AML-90 had a 90 mm low-pressure gun that could fire high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) shells. The AML-90 was also very agile and compact, making it suitable for reconnaissance and raiding missions in various terrains.

One of the most notable users of the AML-90 was Israel, who were impressed by the vehicle's mobility and compact size. Israel received their first batch of 29 vehicles by the end of 1963, where they were assigned to the reconnaissance units of the IDF, where they performed scouting, screening, and raiding missions. The AML-90s saw action in several conflicts with Israel's Arab neighbours, such as the Six-Day War in 1967[1], the War of Attrition[2] from 1967 to 1970, and the Yom Kippur War in 1973, where the AML-90 demonstrated their mobility, firepower, and reliability in the harsh desert terrain. They often engaged enemy tanks and armoured vehicles at long distances, using their 90 mm HEATFS shells to penetrate their armour.

Of particular note is the the Arab–Israeli conflict , where the AML-90 achieved some of the highest armour-to-armour kill ratios achieved with the AML platform to date, which included the destruction of 13 Jordanian and Egyptian T-54s[3].

However, the AML-90s also faced many challenges and limitations in these wars. They were vulnerable to enemy anti-tank missiles, such as the Soviet-made 9M14 Malyutka, which could hit them from longer ranges than their guns. They also lacked adequate protection against mines and artillery fire, which caused many casualties among their crews. Moreover, they were outnumbered by the larger and more modern tanks and armoured vehicles of the Arab and Jordanian armies, such as the T-54, T55, and M48 Patton. As a result, the AML-90s suffered heavy losses in some battles, such as the Battle of Karameh in 1968 and the Battle of Chinese Farm in 1973.

The AML-90s continued to serve in the IDF until the late 1980s, when they were gradually replaced by more advanced vehicles, such as the M113 APCs and the Merkava tanks. They were also sold or donated to some of Israel's allies, such as South Lebanon Army and Ethiopia.

Media

Skins

See also

Related development

External links

References

  1. ↑ Nachum Baruchy: The Hare'l (10th) Armoured Brigade In The Six Day War. Ariel Publishing, Jerusalem. 2010 (In Hebrew).
  2. ↑ Defence Update (International). Defence Update G.m.b.H., 1984, 1984–85 Volume Collected Issues 48–58
  3. ↑ Armed Forces. Contributions by the Royal United Services Institute for Defence Studies. Allan Limited and the Royal United Services Institute for Defence Studies. 1986.


Panhard
Armoured Cars  AML-90
AMD.35  AMD.35 · AMD.35 (SA35)
E.B.R.  E.B.R. (1951) · E.B.R. (1954) · E.B.R. (1963)
Export  AML-90

Israel light tanks
Tracked  AMX-13 · Namer 30
Wheeled  AML-90

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