ELC project

Prototypes of the AMX ELC were manufactured by GIAT Industries under the AMX (Ateliers de construction d'Issy-les-Moulineaux) designation, however the vehicle was not mass-produced and did not formally enter military service.[4]

The vehicle weighed 6 tons, with the driver and gunner located on either side of the 90mm D. 915 gun mounted on the turret. Since in addition to being very light, the tank was also very short (half a meter shorter than the AMX-13), the driver used a reclined position and the gunner had to have his body halfway inside the hull, making turret traverse limited: the turret could be traversed through 360 degrees when immobile, with a far more modest traverse arc, comparable to that of an assault gun, being available when in motion. The AMX ELC had a SOFAM 8 Gxb engine. Several models of the turret (AMX ELC bis) were tested on chassis manufactured from plans created by Hotchkiss.[5] The vehicle's drive suspension featured four roadwheels and two top rollers on each side.[6] A new chassis began development in 1957, and was completed in 1961 under the designation of the ELC bis; this newer prototype had five roadwheels per side. The prototype is preserved at the Museum of Armour in Saumur.[5]

The ELC EVEN was a series of light tanks created in competition with AMX's proposals.[7] These prototypes featured an oscillating turret with a cupola for the gunner located along the turret centerline. The turret itself was offset to the left in order to make room for a driver's compartment in the hull.

ELC EVEN 120

The ELC EVEN 120 featured four recoilless rifles arranged in horizontal pairs on either side of the turret. These weapons were to be reloaded by the driver either by rotating the turret so that the driver could open his hatch and insert new projectiles without leaving his seat, or by having the driver climb out and reload the weapons from a standing position next to the tank. It was also suggested that the rear ends of the 120mm weapons' barrels be cut so that the rear sections could be rotated into the turret, allowing the gunner to reload the weapons without opening his hatch.

Another version of the tank featuring two 120mm weapons, each with a five-round revolver-type autoloader, was suggested but not constructed.

ELC EVEN 30 prototype at Museé des Blindés

ELC EVEN - Nord-AVIATION Missiles

The 90mm version of the ELC EVEN, also located at Museé des Blindés.

A vehicle armed with either four SS-11 ATGMs or two SS-12 SSMs mounted on arms on either side of a purpose-built welded plate turret, with an armored glass observation window on its front. A prototype featuring a combination of these weapons (two SS-11 on the right side of the turret and one SS-12 on the left) was built.