The running gear includes five double-tired road wheels to a track side. The track links run about the wheels in the usual way, straddling either side of the armored hull. The drive sprocket is located at the rear of the arrangement with the track idler at the front. Five track return rollers are mounted along the upper portion of the track and are clearly visible as no side skirt armor is implemented into the design of the GCT.
The 155mm main gun was cleared to fire a variety of ordnance options including High-Explosive (HE). Additionally, the system could fire smoke, anti-tank mines and any rocket-assisted projectiles as needed. The howitzer nature of the weapon means that the 155mm system lobs its projectile in a trajectory against a given target area (as opposed to a direct fire field gun). The gun is mounted to the angled frontal panel of the turret which sports flat sides and rear, the rear section covering some of the engine deck. The recoil mechanism is clearly visibly at the base of the gun as it enters the turret. The barrel is capped by a double-baffled muzzle brake to help dispense with the inherently violent outgoing forces. The onboard ammunition supply totals 42 x 155mm projectiles.
Production of the GCT began in 1977 out of the GIAT Roanne facility and completed in 1995 to which 400 units were delivered. Initial versions were represented by the "AUF 1" designation and modernized versions later appeared as the "AUF 2". Beyond their operation by the French, the GCT (AUF 1 models) were sold to Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Saudi Arabia received 51 examples beginning in 1978 to Iraq's 85 which were delivered from 1983 to 1985.
The GCT retains an operational level status with modern French Army forces. Seventy units were modernized to the new AUF 2 standard (built upon the AMX-30B2 MBT chassis). The standard incorporated an new automatic loader with an increased rate-of-fire to 10 projectiles. Also, range of the main gun is slightly improved as is accuracy. The GCT turret is also more modular, able to be fitted across a wide range of existing MBT chassis.
The GCT has gone on to see some combat service in its long-running tenure. During the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s, Iraqi Army GCTs were used to good effect against Iranian targets. French Army GCTs were then utilized in support of NATO forces during the Bosnia and Herzegovina campaigns.
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