The armoured recovery
vehicle, known as the AMX-30D, was designed to recuperate or help
maintain vehicles in the field. The recovery vehicle includes a winch
powered by the vehicle's engine, with the ability to pull a maximum of
35 metric tons (39 short tons) of weight. The vehicle also has a
80-meter (87 yd) heavy towing cable, while an auxiliary winch has
another 120-meter (130 yd) towing cable, able to tow up to 20 metric
tons (22 short tons) when working over the front of the AMX-30D. In the
latter case the vehicle must be supported by removable props, which are
carried on the vehicle, and the bulldozer blade must be lowered on the
ground. The crane can lift up the 3.29 metric tons (3.63 short tons)
power pack and the 10 metric tons (11 short tons) turret. Instead of a
turret, the AMX-30D is fitted with a superstructure, and weighs 36
metric tons (40 short tons), although with the extra power pack it can
weigh up to 40 metric tons (44 short tons). The vehicle can protect
itself with a 7.62-millimeter (0.300 in) machine gun. The driver's
visibility is aided by the inclusion of three M-223 episcopes. The
AMX-30D has a maximum on-road velocity of 60 kilometers per hour (37
mph) and a maximum road range of 500 kilometers (310 mi).
GIAT AMX-30D Recovery Vehicle
Designed as a main
battle tank for the French Army the AMX-30 prototype was completed in
1961 and the type entered full-scale
production in 1966.