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Chatellerault AAT-52


AAT-NF1


Overview

AAT-NF1

Rear view of AAT-NF1 with heavy barrel mounted on a Leclerc main battle tank.
Source: Rama - © GNU Attribution - Share Alike license

Origin
France
Type
Machine gun
Entered service
1952
Status
In service
Development
1950 - 1952
Developer
France - MAC / Manufacture d’Armes de Chatellerault
Production
1952 - 1980's
Producer
France - MAC / Manufacture d’Armes de Chatellerault
France - MAS / Manufacture d’Armes de St Etienne
Designations
AAT-52 / Arme Automatique Transformable Modèle 1952

Description

Introduction

The AAT-52 is a machine gun of French origin. It was developed in the early 1950’s to replace the various weapons in different calibers in service up to that point. The name AAT-52 stands for "Arme Automatique Transformable Modèle 1952", which translates to "transformable automatic weapon, model 1952". This refers to its use as a general purpose machine gun, being fired from a bipod by infantry, used on tripods as a heavy machine gun and fitted to vehicles as fixed or flexible weapon.

Design

The AAT-52 has a somewhat peculiar design using a lever-delayed blowback mechanism. A telescoping metal buttstock is fitted, as well as metal pistol grip with plastic grip plates. The barrel can be easily changed, with a light barrel available for infantry use and a heavy barrel for mounted use. The light barrel is fitted with bipod and carrying handle.

Firepower

The AAT-52 fires the 7.5x54mm French round from interconnectable 50 round belts. The AAT-NF1 is a modified version to cater the 7.62x51mm NATO round using US M13 links. The rate of fire is rather high with a cyclic rate of fire of 900 rpm. The effective range from the bipod is 600 meters. This increases to 1 km when mounted on a tripod or vehicle.

Users

The main user of the AAT-52 was France, using it in the infantry role as well as mounted on various vehicles and aircraft. With the adoption of NATO ammunition many existing AAT-52 were converted to 7.62x51mm NATO. Large quantities in both calibers have been exported to nations with close ties to France. In French service the AAT-NF1 is being replaced by the Minimi in the infantry role and by the MAG for vehicle use.

Variants

AAT-NF1

Forward view of AAT-NF1 with heavy barrel mounted on a Leclerc main battle tank.
Source: Rama - © GNU Attribution - Share Alike license

List of variants of the AAT-52

AAT-52
Original model chambered in 7.5x54mm. Available with light barrel and bipod for the light machine gun role, known as "AAT Légère". The original version is also referred to as the "AAT Lourde"
AAT-NF1
AAT-52 modified to chamber the 7.62x51mm NATO round. Available with both a light and heavy barrel as in the original AAT-52.
AAT-52 Char
AAT-52 or AAT-NF1 for vehicle use with solenoid trigger. The Char No.1 model has a solenoid trigger and is meant for coaxial use. The Char No.2 has a manual trigger, shoulder stock and light barrel and is meant for use on a pintle mount.
AAT-52 Avion
AAT-52 or AAT-NF1 for aircraft use. Available in the versions No.1, No.2 and No.3 with solenoid trigger, plus the No.4 with manual trigger and iron sights.

Details

Facts AAT-52 Légère AAT-52 Lourde AAT-NF1 Légère AAT-NF1 Lourde
General
Origin
France
Type
Machine gun
Caliber
Caliber
7.5x54mm French
Feed system
Belt fed, 50 round belts
Barrel length
490 mm
Muzzle velocity
820 m/s
Operation
Action
Gas operated, lever-delayed blowback
Fire selector
0 - F
Rate of fire
700 rpm
Dimensions
Stock type
Retractable
Length
1.145 mm stock extended
980 mm stock retracted
Weight
9.85 kg empty
Sights
Mechanical
Iron sights, barleycorn front and tangent leaf with U-notch rear
Range adjustment
200 to 2.000 m gradations
Accessories
Bipod
Optional bipod (0.82 kg) and monopod (0.69 kg)

Media

Related articles

Chatellerault M24/29

The AAT-52 replaced the M24/29 light machine gun in French service. The AAT-52 was heavier, but was belt-fed and had a quick change barrel.

Read more about Chatellerault M24/29