- For PC
- For MAC
- For Linux
- OS: Windows 10 (64 bit)
- Processor: Dual-Core 2.2 GHz
- Memory: 4GB
- Video Card: DirectX 11 level video card: AMD Radeon 77XX / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660. The minimum supported resolution for the game is 720p.
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Hard Drive: 17 GB
- OS: Windows 10/11 (64 bit)
- Processor: Intel Core i5 or Ryzen 5 3600 and better
- Memory: 16 GB and more
- Video Card: DirectX 11 level video card or higher and drivers: Nvidia GeForce 1060 and higher, Radeon RX 570 and higher
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Hard Drive: 95 GB
- OS: Mac OS Big Sur 11.0 or newer
- Processor: Core i5, minimum 2.2GHz (Intel Xeon is not supported)
- Memory: 6 GB
- Video Card: Intel Iris Pro 5200 (Mac), or analog from AMD/Nvidia for Mac. Minimum supported resolution for the game is 720p with Metal support.
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Hard Drive: 17 GB
- OS: Mac OS Big Sur 11.0 or newer
- Processor: Core i7 (Intel Xeon is not supported)
- Memory: 8 GB
- Video Card: Radeon Vega II or higher with Metal support.
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Hard Drive: 95 GB
- OS: Most modern 64bit Linux distributions
- Processor: Dual-Core 2.4 GHz
- Memory: 4 GB
- Video Card: NVIDIA 660 with latest proprietary drivers (not older than 6 months) / similar AMD with latest proprietary drivers (not older than 6 months; the minimum supported resolution for the game is 720p) with Vulkan support.
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Hard Drive: 17 GB
- OS: Ubuntu 20.04 64bit
- Processor: Intel Core i7
- Memory: 16 GB
- Video Card: NVIDIA 1060 with latest proprietary drivers (not older than 6 months) / similar AMD (Radeon RX 570) with latest proprietary drivers (not older than 6 months) with Vulkan support.
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Hard Drive: 95 GB
Today we’ll be taking a look at the MSC, the first Leclerc that was created to test and evaluate new systems, which will be coming to the game in the Leviathans major update.
MSC: An MBT (Medium Tank) for France at Rank VII
At a glance:
- 120 mm cannon!
- HEAT-FS and APFSDS
- Good mobility
- Light protection
In the 1960s, France started to look into a new project to replace their AMX-30s as they were becoming outdated compared to NATO and Soviet tanks. In 1978, a project was agreed with Germany to design a brand-new MBT together, but it never came into fruition mainly due to different views on the core design.
In 1982 France continued work alone on an MBT through the Engin Principal de Combat (EPC, or “Main Combat Vehicle”) program, with the aim to design new systems for a domestically produced MBT in France. Several proposals for different turrets with and without an autoloader were made, but at the end of it, an autoloading turret was selected. In 1986 the project was renamed after French general Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque to “Leclerc”.
Following a series of testing different systems, a complete tank was rolled out at Satory in France in 1986. This tank was called the MSC (Mulet Système Complet, or “Testbed”) and was the result of many proposed components in one package to evaluate how they work together. It tested turret internals such as a stabilizer and autoloader, and also featured a new chassis optimized for mobility and a 120 mm gun, making it a huge upgrade over the AMX-30.
After three years of tests, the MSC ultimately paved the way for pre-series and production Leclerc tanks to come down the line. Production Leclerc tanks entered service with the French Army in 1992.
Introducing the MSC!
Meet the MSC, the first Leclerc to have been produced. This tank was fully built and acted as a testbed between 1986 and 1989 to test electronic equipment, a stabilizer and other important features that would be used in future Leclercs. It ultimately helped pave the way for the full-production Leclerc that we all know today, first produced in 1992. Today we’ll compare it to the Leclerc variants already in the game, so let’s dive in.
If you’ve already played the Leclerc tanks in War Thunder, you’ll know they are mainly characterized by excellent firepower. Compared to them, the MSC features a 120 mm cannon with the same two rounds on the AMX-40: a OCC 120 G1 HEAT-FS and an OFL 120 G1 APFSDS. This is all backed up by an autoloader, albeit with the downside of having 3 crew instead of 4. Other finishing touches to the FCS is a laser rangefinder and thermal sights for the gunner.
Interesting: “MSC” stands for “Mulet Système Complet” which in English means “Testbed”.
Right, so the firepower is that of the AMX-40, but what about the armor? The armor is simplified compared to the production Leclerc tanks in general. Those who are keen eyed would have also noticed that the smoke canisters are on the turret cheeks instead of the back of the turret, and there’s just six instead of 14. The autoloader features 24 pcs in the first-stage ammo stowage instead of the 22 found on the production Leclerc tanks, which may come in handy once in a while!
The MSC can reach a max speed over of 70 km/h thanks to its excellent engine with a thick exhaust pipe sticking out at the back, propelling the fumes to the side and above the tank, instead of just above like on the production Leclercs.
All-in-all the MSC is still a good tank compared to the production Leclercs, instead at a lower rank and Battle Rating, meaning it can fit into more suitable lineups. Thanks for reading! Be sure to check out other dev blogs coming your way!
Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.
You can greatly speed up the research with these packs:
Kick-start your French vehicles research with this starter pack
You can greatly speed up the research of the MSC with this pack
- B1 ter tank (Rank II, France)
- P-40F-5 Lafayette fighter (Rank II, France)
- Premium Account for 7 days
- 120.000 Silver Lions
- Leopard 2 (OTCo) (Rank VII, France)
- Premium account for 20 days
- 2500 Golden Eagles
- Pre-order bonus: "Will to uphold" unique title
- Pre-order bonus: unique "Insignia of the 43 Mechanised Brigade insignia of the Royal Netherlands Army" decal
Comments (25)
Comments will be premoderatedShould have been premium instead of generic Leopard.
Bruh...
disagree, I'd much rather have more unique vehicles like this in the tech tree and copy-paste stuff as premiums
It says HEAT-FS & One APFSDS round, So does that mean you can only take one sole APFSDS shell into battle? Sorry I just found that funny, hmm still a long way away from those french tanks but will look to researching it this year.
No, it has one available APFSDS type, you can take around about 35 of them into battle :) we've changed the text to avoid confusion!
Yeh, I found that funny how you got to that conclusion too! Probs need to reread again
It looks amazing, arguably better than the production-serie Leclercs! The MSC's most distinctive feature compared to the production-serie Leclercs is that it used a more elaborate (but more expensive) autoloader that's able to store 24 rounds instead of 22 rounds. But most importantly, this autoloader's fire rate was also higher, making it able to reload every 3.0 - 4.0 seconds! France really needed a MBT at that BR so I can't wait to play it personally.
finally, a 10.7 tank for France
Now this, this is fkn cool!
Can we get a devblog for the iconic Bismarck? It’s a shame that we still haven’t got one.
📰🐌👀
TBH this should have been the french top tier premium...
Why? It's worse if actually unique and interesting vehicles are premium. I'd much rather a copy paste vehicle be premium than something I actually want.
The exhaust on every Leclerc (even the MSC) is rotating, when you use it every day it is placed upwards (to avoid getting fumes in your lungs) but in combat mode it is turned over to send the fumes towards the ground and drastically reduce the cloud of smoke. The exhaust is just held by a HOSE CLAMP ! (which you have already modeled on 5 Leclerc) and put MAG-58 on their supports (for the commander and gunner) !
This thing is just the French counterpart of the Leo 2K
Absolutely not lol, it's the counterpart of the Leopard 2A4
Not really.The Leo2k was a dead end. It's more like the 2 AV.
what BR though hmmm
Testserver was 10.7 from what i saw
10.7
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