| Lorraine 40t | |
| Origin: | France |
| Type: | Medium Tank |
| Is Vehicle: | yes |
| Length: | 10.8m (35.4feet) |
| Width: | 3.3m (10.8feet) |
| Height: | 2.85m (09.35feet) |
| Weight: | 39.7 metric tonnes |
| Crew: | 4 (commander, gunner, driver, loader/radio) |
| Suspension: | torsion bar |
| Speed: | 60km/h |
| Primary Armament: | 100 mm SA 47 |
| Secondary Armament: | 1 x 7.5 mm coaxial machine gun and 1 x 7.5 mm machine gun on roof |
| Armour: | 30-45 mm |
| Engine: | Maybach HL 295 12VC |
| Engine Power: | 850 hp |
| Vehicle Range: | 300 km |
The Lorraine 40t was a prototype French medium tank of the Cold War.
After the end of the Second World War, the French Army was in pressing need of a modern tank with heavy armament. In March 1945, French industry was invited to design a tank, which resulted in the AMX-50.
However, it was already obvious in the early 1950s that the AMX-50 tank might turn out to be too heavy due to attempts to improve the gun and armor in response to Soviet tanks such as the IS-3. Thus, in 1950, a 40 tonne medium tank project was started. The Lorraine company built a medium tank prototype based on their earlier Canon D’Assaut Lorraine project.
The total weight was limited to 39.7 tonnes.[1] The Lorraine 40t featured a pike nose design similar to the IS-3. It had an oscillating turret like the AMX-50. The Lorraine 40t mounted a 100 mm SA47 gun fed from a drum autoloader similar to that of the AMX-50 project.
The vehicle inherited the Veil Picard pneumatic tires from the Canon D’Assaut Lorraine which helped to reduce weight. The engine used was the Maybach HL 295 12VC engine which gave a speed of 60km/h.
The Lorraine 40t had a SCR 508 radio for external communications.
The two prototypes were apparently scrapped after the discontinuation of the project.