VAB Mephisto
Véhicule de Combat Anti-Char
Overview
VAB Mephisto
French army VAB VCAC with Mephisto anti-tank missile system during Operation Desert Shield in 1992.
Source: US Army -
© Public domain
Origin
France
Type
Tank destroyer
Entered service
Early 1980's
Status
In service
Development
1978
Developer
France
Production
1980's
Producer
France
Number produced
135
Designations
VCAC / Véhicule de Combat Anti-Char
French for "anti-tank combat vehicle"
MEPHISTO / Module Élévateur Panoramique Hot Installé Sur Tourelle Orientable
French for "elevated panoramicHOT launch module on rotating turret"
French for "anti-tank combat vehicle"
MEPHISTO / Module Élévateur Panoramique Hot Installé Sur Tourelle Orientable
French for "elevated panoramicHOT launch module on rotating turret"
Notable users
France
Morocco
Morocco
Details
Facts
VAB Mephisto
General
Origin
France
Type
Tank destroyer
Crew
4
Dimensions
Weight
13.4 t combat load
Length
5.98 m
Width
2.49 m
Height
3.25 m with launcher raised
2.81 m with launcher lowered
2.10 m to hull top
Main armament
Type
HOT anti-tank missile
Mount
Mephisto quadruple launcher
Ammunition
12 missiles, 4 ready to fire
Elevation
-10° to +10°, powered
Traverse
360°, powered
Stabilizer
No
Chassis
Chassis type
Wheeled chassis, 4x4
Tire size
14.00 x20
Tire type
Run flat tire
Tread
2.04 m
Wheelbase
3 m
Amphibious propulsion
2x water jet
Automotive
Engine model
Renault MIDS 06-20-45
Engine type
6-cylinder water-cooled diesel
Power output
220 hp at 2.200 rpm
Transmission
5 forward, 5 reverse
Fuel
300 L
Mobility
Speed
92 km/h on road
7 km/h afloat
Range
1.000 km
Turn radius
9 m
Power to weight ratio
16.4 hp/t
Obstacle crossing
Ground clearance
0.4 m
Wall
0.6 m
Trench
0.5 m
Gradient
50 %
Slope
35 %
Fording
Amphibious
Protection
Armor type
Steel
Armor thickness
Rated against 7.62 mm
NBC system
Yes
Smoke system
None
Equipment
Night vision
Yes, for passive driver and thermal sight for gunner
Fire control
APX 590 gyrostabilized day sight
3x and 12x magnification
MEPHIRA thermal sight with 3 km range
Media
VAB Mephisto
VAB VCAC in the Saumur tank museum
Source: www.museedesblindes.fr
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
VAB Mephisto
French army VAB VCAC firing a HOT missile during live fire training.
Source: davric
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
VAB Mephisto
VAB 4x4 with Mephisto launcher in raised position.
Source: www.photobucket.com
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
Related articles
HOT
The Mephisto launcher on de VAB VCAC has four HOT wire-guided anti-tank missiles ready to launch.
VAB 4x4
The Mephisto is based on the 4x4 variant of the VAB wheeled armored personnel carrier.
VAB UTM-800
The VAB UTM-800 is another tank destroyer on the VAB chassis that also uses the HOT missile. This variant is fitted with the UTM-800 turret and is based on the 6x6 chassis.