Vehicles in Focus: SPHINX

The Panhard SPHINX is currently the only Tier 10 Armored Fighting Vehicle and as such can be considered the ultimate recon vehicle of Armored Warfare. In real life, the SPHINX (Secret Project for High Intensity and New Conflicts) is a prototype that was first introduced to the public at the Eurosatory 2010 Expo alongside the light CRAB, another Panhard vehicle.

It was developed as a private venture by Panhard to become France's next armored recon and fire support vehicle, as a part of the Scorpion program. Its role would be to replace the aging ERC 90 Sagaie and AMX 10 RC fire support vehicles.

Much like the Jaguar, it is a 6x6 lightly armored fire support vehicle, armed with a 40mm automatic cannon and guided missiles. It has a crew of three men (commander, gunner, and driver). With its 17 tons, it is considerably lighter than the Jaguar. It is also likely to be more mobile and accelerate faster, as there were plans to equip it with a 600hp engine. Its top speed is rated at 110 km/h, which is quite fast for a vehicle of its weight category.

The vehicle is only lightly armored, with an estimated level of protection of STANAG 4569 Level 4 (the same as the Jaguar). The same protection level with a lower weight is probably possible because, although no official dimensions for the Jaguar have been released yet, the SPHINX appears to be much more compact. However, there is the option of increasing protection even further (to resist the fire of 25mm automatic cannon armor-piercing ammunition), should any potential customer want that, at the expense of a weight increase of course.

The armament consists of a 40mm automatic cannon (the same weapon the Jaguar carries) and two missile launchers for MMP missiles. This combination is able to destroy almost any target the vehicle encounters, including Main Battle Tanks.

Unfortunately for Panhard, the French Military was not interested in the SPHINX and selected the Jaguar instead.As such, it is unlikely that SPHINX will make it past the prototype stage.

The SPHINX is currently Armored Warfare's best scout. Fast and nimble, it can outrun most enemy vehicles on the battlefield, but it can deal damage as well. Due to its role and light armor, it should never engage heavily armored targets head on. Waiting in ambush or firing missiles at longer distances is a more viable approach.

While the SPHINX can only somewhat upgrade its armor and firepower, it has the highest amount of Technology upgrades out of all Tier 10s (save for the PL-01) – most are aimed at increasing the vehicle's scouting capabilities and accuracy. Mobility upgrades are another important group. Speed is life and for the AFV class this counts for double, as not being hit is more important for any scout than withstanding hits thanks to armor. SPHINX's camouflage factor is unsurprisingly the highest of all Tier 10 with only the PL-01 coming close, making it an excellent ambusher.

However, for all its advantages, the SPHINX's blazing speed and the fact it's a wheeled vehicle that relies on flanking due to its cannon's inability to penetrate high-tier MBTs head on, make it a difficult to use vehicle for new players. A certain amount of experience in wheeled AFVs is required to control the SPHINX properly, but once such control is achieved, you will be dancing around your helpless opponents, taking them apart without them having a chance to retaliate.

• Tier: 10
• Class: Armored Fighting Vehicle
• Hitpoints: 2110
• Crew: Commander, Gunner, Driver
• Base Camouflage: 0.385
• Viewrange: 440 meters

SPHINX Stock Armor

• Hull Armor Type: Steel
• Hull Armor Modifiers: 1.0 vs. AP, 1.0 vs. HEAT, 1.0 vs. HE
• Hull Armor Thickness vs. AP: 175/145/80
• Hull Armor Thickness vs. HEAT: 175/145/80

STANAG Level 5 Protection Upgrade

• Hull Armor Type: High Hardness Steel
• Hull Armor Modifiers: 1.5 vs. AP, 1.5 vs. HEAT, 1.5 vs. HE
• Hull Armor Thickness vs. AP: 263/218/120
• Hull Armor Thickness vs. HEAT: 263/218/120

SPHINX Stock Armor

• Turret Armor Type: Steel
• Turret Armor Modifiers: 1.0 vs. AP, 1.0 vs. HEAT, 1.0 vs. HE
• Turret Armor Thickness vs. AP: 175/175/80
• Turret Armor Thickness vs. HEAT: 175/175/80

STANAG Level 5 Protection Upgrade

• Turret Armor Type: High Hardness Steel
• Turret Armor Modifiers: 1.5 vs. AP, 1.5 vs. HEAT, 1.5 vs. HE
• Turret Armor Thickness vs. AP: 263/263/120
• Turret Armor Thickness vs. HEAT: 263/263/120

Main Gun (Stock): 40mm CTAS Cannon and ATGM Launchers

• Loading: Automatic Loader
• Caliber: 40mm
• Clip Reload Time: 10 seconds (20 seconds for ATGM)
• Nominal Rate of Fire: 100 rounds per second
• Clip Size: 13 rounds
• Aim Time: 2.84 seconds
• Accuracy: 0.13
• Gun Depression: +60/-16 (frontal), -4 (rear)
• Turret Traverse: 61.2 deg/s

Stock Engine: Turbocharged Diesel Engine

• Acceleration to 32 km/h: 1.98 seconds
• Maximum Speed: 109.8 km/h

Mobility Upgrades:

• Improved Suspension (improves handling on rough terrain by 10%)
• Electrical Starter and Generator (reduces the effectiveness of Thermal Sights by 15% and increases the vehicle's camouflage factor while moving by 20%)
• Run Flat Tires (upgraded wheels increase the vehicle’s acceleration and top-speed on off-road surfaces and are also harder to destroy)
• Improved Power Steering (increases wheeled vehicle turning speed by 15%)

Stock Technology:

• SPHINX Technology
• Reconnaissance Package (improves base capture rate by 10%, increases view range of the vehicle by 80 meters when stopped)

Technology Upgrades:

• Smoke Grenades (allows the vehicle to use one smoke grenade discharge)
• Improved Gunner's Sight (enhances overall accuracy by 7%)
• Improved Targeting Computer (enhances overall accuracy by 7%)
• Improved Gun Stabilization (enhances accuracy while on the move by 20%)
• Upgraded Camera System (increases the view range of the vehicle by 40 meters)
• Improved Air Conditioner (increases crew stats by 2%)
• Enhanced Cooling System (reduces the effectiveness of Thermal Sights by 15% and increases the vehicle's camouflage factor by 5%)

• Armor Retrofit Slot
• Universal Retrofit Slot
• Universal Retrofit Slot
• Mobility Retrofit Slot

• Battle-Hardened (9500 Gold)
• 1.012.650 Credits (135020 Reputation)
• 1.012.650 Credits (135020 Reputation)
• 1.012.650 Credits (135020 Reputation)
• 1.012.650 Credits (135020 Reputation)