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Centauro AIFV VBM Freccia 8x8 Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle
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The Centauro AIFV Freccia VBM (Veicolo blindato medio - Medium Armoured Vehicle) is an 8x8 Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle designed and produced by the joint Italian Company CIO s.a.r.l. (Iveco Fiat-Oto Melara). This is the latest generation of wheeled armored infantry fighting vehicle used by the Italian Army. The vehicle represents the main platform of the NEC (Network Enabled Capability) Land Brigade and is the first digitalized wheeled armored vehicle in service with the Italian Army. The NEC is a program that has been developed to equip combat vehicles with Battle Management System (BMS) at the tactical level, create a link with individual future soldier equipment and all networks of command and radio systems at the battalion level. The VBM Freccia is derived from the combat-proven Centauro 105mm anti-tank vehicle. The vehicle can accommodate a fully equipped crew of 13 men including one driver, one commander, one gunner and ten infantry soldiers in the rear compartment with an internal volume of around 11m³. The Centauro AIFV VBM "Freccia" is an 8X8 combines the proven and highly reliable drive train of the Centauro Family with a hull especially designed to ensure the maximum crew survivability. The Centauro AIFV VBM "Freccia" is focused on providing the infantry with the firepower and protection which they need to undertake their mission effectively, be it warfighting or peacekeeping. There are two versions of the Centauro AIFV VBM Freccia, the combat infantry vehicle equipped with a two-man turret armed with one 25mm cannon, and the anti-tank version with the same armament and one additional anti-tank launcher for Spike missile mounted to each side of the turret.
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| Variants |
- Centauro 120mm: armed with 120mm cannon
- Centauro 105mm B1: with add-on armour
- Centauro ARV: No turret, blade dozzer at the front of the vehicke and one crane on the top of the hull.
- Centauro VBM Freccia: This vehicle is equipped with an Oto Melara HITFIST Plus turret, mounting a 25 mm or 30 mm cannon. |
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| Technical Data |
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| Armament |
The Centauro AIFV VBM Freccia is fitted with the OTO Melara HITFIST turret. The HITFIST is a two-man, power-operated turret armed with 25 or 30mm automatic cannon, a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun and two elevations controlled TOW missile launchers (option). The turret is built with ballistic aluminum alloy and additional steel armor plates to reach the required protection level.
The new HITFIST® fire control system (together with the TOW guidance set) allows engagement of targets by day and night; the electrical, fully digital servo-systems and the line of fire stabilization ensure high accuracy of fire. The crew consists of two men who sit side by side in the turret: the commander on the left, the gunner on the right. A single man can fully operate the turret. The main armament is automatic cannon of 25 or 30mm, electrically controlled for elevation, traversing and firing operations; feeding is through belted rounds housed in two ammunition containers. Assembly and disassembly of the weapon do not require special tools, thus making control and servicing operations possible in unfavorable conditions. Cannon control is through the HITFIST® fire control system which includes a sight with an eye-safe laser rangefinder and a thermal night vision camera. A 7.62mm machine gun is coaxially mounted to the main cannon. Two Spike anti-tank missile launchers are side-mounted on the turret with remote control (Digital Missile Guidance Set) integrated into the HITFIST® fire control system for the ATGW (Anti-Tank Guided Weapon) variant. |
| Design and protection |
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The hull and the turret of the Centauro AIFV VBM Freccia are made in all-welded steel armor which provides protection against firing of small arms 14.5mm caliber and shell splinters. The vehicle can be also equipped with add-on armor to increase protection against 30mm caliber ammunition. The bottom part of the vehicle provides protection against anti-tank mine. The adoption of an innovative "H shaped" transmission, with twin side-mounted driveshafts in place of the more traditional single central shaft, provides the vehicle with a low silhouette and an inherently more stealthy profile than others in its class. The driver is seated at the front of the vehicle with the engine at its right. A two-man turret is mounted in the middle of the top hull, with infantry soldiers compartment at the rear. A hydraulic ramp is mounted at the rear of the hull to allow the soldiers to leave and enter quickly in the vehicle.
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| Mobility |
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The Centauro AIFV VBM Freccia has outstanding tactical mobility, deriving from its powerful Iveco engine driving an automatic gearbox and enhanced by the 3-axles steering. Independent MacPherson suspensions on each wheel provide an exceptional ride quality, complemented by long excursion. The Centauro AIFV VBM Freccia is motorized with an IVECO 8262 6V turbocharged after cooler Diesel engine coupled to an automatic gearbox with 5 forward and two reverse speeds. The vehicle can run at a maximum speed of 110 km/g with a maximum cruising range of 800 km.
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| Accessories |
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The Centauro AIFV VBM Freccia is equipped with command, control and communication systems and is the core platform of the net-centric scenario. The gunner has a day/night sight with visualization of the images on a TFT display. The commander has eight episcopes around its hatch and a TFT display for the visualization of the images coming from the day/night sight. He has also a panoramic day/night sight with visualization of the images on a TFT display. Standard equipment of the vehicle includes one hydraulic winch, NBC protection system with collective individual backup, fire extinguishing and anti-explosion systems in crew cabin and auxiliary heaters.
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| Specifications |
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Armament
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One 25mm KBA Oerlikon gun, one 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, one 5.56 or 7.62 mm anti-aircraft machine gun, two anti-tank launchers for Spike Rafael missile and 8 grenade launcher dischargers
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Country users
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Italy
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Designer Country
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Italy
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Accessories
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Central tire inflation system, air conditioning, NBC protection system and night vision equipment
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Crew
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3 + 10 soldiers
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Armor
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Protection against 14.5mm caliber small arms, shell splinters and anti-tank mine.
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Weight
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22,000 kg empty
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Speed
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110 km/h on road
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Range
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800 km
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Dimensions
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Length, 7.99 m; Width, 2.99 m; Height, 2.67 m
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Centauro AIFV VBM Freccia with Hitfist turret 25mm cannon
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Centauro AIFV VBM Freccia ATGW variant with Spike missile launchers
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Centauro AIFV VBM Freccia with Hitfist turret 25mm cannon
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Centauro AIFV VBM Freccia ATGW variant with Spike missile launchers
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