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Italian wheeled infantry fighting vehicle From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The VBM – Freccia is a family of 8x8 armoured vehicles that was designed and manufactured for the Italian Army by IVECO for the hull, the engine and the suspension, and OTO Melara for the armament. The first variant to be developed was the IFV, the Freccia being equipped with a Hitfist turret, the same as the one installed on the Dardo IFV.[2]
VBM Freccia | |
---|---|
![]() A Freccia IFV of the Mechanized Brigade "Pinerolo" | |
Type | 8x8 Armoured Fighting Vehicle |
Place of origin | ![]() |
Service history | |
In service | Since 2008 |
Used by | ![]() For more details, see Operators |
Production history | |
Designer | IVECO FIAT and OTO Melara |
Designed | 1996 |
Manufacturer | IVECO FIAT and OTO Melara |
Unit cost | € 6 million in 2008 € 7 million in 2022 |
Produced | Since 2002 |
No. built | 283 [1] |
Variants | See Variants |
The Italian Army was looking for a successor to some of the Cold War era M113 variants in the Italian Army, among which the VCC-1 infantry fighting vehicle, the VCC-2 armoured personnel carrier and the M106 mortar carrier.
The VCC-1 IFV was replaced by the Dardo IFV. The Freccia was ordered to replace Cold War VCC-2 armoured personnel carriers of the Mechanized Brigade "Pinerolo" in Southern Italy.
A change in the doctrine for a more mobile vehicle was the reason behind the choice of a wheeled platform. And as a support to the infantry, a turret was selected to equip the successor of the VCC-2 APC variant, which increased the capabilities and the power of the infantry brigades. Some other variants such as command post vehicles, mortar carriers are also in use in the Italian Army.
Several batches have been ordered since the first one in 2006.
The VBM – Freccia is a Medium Armoured Combat Vehicle ("Veicolo Blindato Medio Freccia"). It is an up-armoured variant of the Centauto B1 (tactical reconnaissance and tank destroyer). It was designed by Iveco and OTO Melara with their own ressources in order to meet the needs of the Italian Army. A first prototype was produced in 1996. Following a long test campaign, the Italian army selected this vehicle as the winner of the competition and placed a first order for 249 vehicles in 2006.[3] In 2021, a contract was concluded for the design of a MLU of this first generation of vehicles.[4]
After this first batch, the Italian Army needed additional vehicles to replace the specialised variants of the M113 in service.
The electronic architecture of the vehicle is designed according to the NATO General Vehicle Architecture (NGVA) STANAG 4754.[5] This agreement focuses on making the architecture modular, easy and less costly to adapt. Applications can be added to the multi functional control unit as plug and play. It reduces the number of application specific control units, and therefore minimises the need for space and energy. The data, power, communication, sensors, effectors are all integrated according to this architecture. One of the element of this architecture is the SICCONA C2D command, control and navigation system, which includes NEC (Network Enabled Capability).[6]
The main variant is the Infantry Fighting Vehicle, and the Anti Tank variant. Both are equipped with a Hitfist manned turret, which has a KBA 25 mm autocannon. For the anti-tank variant, the first variant is equipped with anti-tank missiles to be employed by the dismounted infantry. In the future, a Spike LR missile is to be integrated to the turret.
Additional vehicles for reconnaissance and additional infantry fighting capabilities were needed to equip the infantry troops. Improvements on the Freccia platform were necessary to keep up with the new technologies.[4]
The Freccia EVO is a development of the Centauro II. The main improvements include a new powertrain. The engine power is raised from 550 hp (410 kW) to 660 hp (490 kW), and a hybrid traction system is optionally available.[4]
The armament capabilities are improved. The turret selected is the unmanned Hitfist ® OWS equipped with the Bushmaster II 30×173mm chain gun replacing the Oerlikon KBA 25 mm autocannon and can be equipped with anti-tank guided missiles mounted on the side of the turret. The Spike LR is the one used by the Italian Army. The turret is also equipped with a new fire control system. The thermal aiming for the gunner is supplied by Leonardo with the Lothar D (Land Optronic Thermal Aiming Resource). The commander gets a digital sight, and a mast with a panoramic sight is available especially for the reconnaissance variant, the Janus D also supplied by Leonardo.[4]
As for the communications, Leonardo supplies the SWave VQ1 4-channel software defined radio which operates in the HF, VHF and UHF bands, plus a digital intercom system is available. The Italian Army variant is including it in its Network Enhanced Capability, known as the SICCONA C2D/N EVO which is to be expanded to the other armoured fighting vehicles.[6]
The navigation system is using both the GPS signals and the Galileo PRS.
The Iron Fist hard-kill protection system has already been tested, a potential integration is being evaluated by the Italian Army. It would most likely be the Light-Decoupled Iron Fist (IF-LD).[4]
Variants of the Freccia platform in service with the Italian Army.[7]
The army plans to acquire 300 Freccia EVO, 120 of which in the Reconnaissance variant.[11]
Prototypes based on both the Freccia and the Centauro common chassis:
Parameters | APC
Armoured personnel carrier |
IFV
Infantry Fighting Vehicle |
C2V
Platoon Command Post |
C2V
Squadron Command Post |
AMC
Armoured Mortar Carrier |
ARV
Armoured Recovery Vehcile |
Dimensions | ||||||
Internal volume | 13.5 m3 (480 cu ft) | 11.0 m3 (390 cu ft) | 11.0 m3 (390 cu ft) | 13.5 m3 (480 cu ft) | 13.5 m3 (480 cu ft) | Crew 7 m3Technical 6 m3 |
Length | 7.99 m (26.2 ft) | 8.56 m (28.1 ft) | 8.56 m (28.1 ft) | 8.00 m (26.25 ft) | 7.99 m (26.2 ft) | 8.25 m (27.1 ft) |
Height (hull) | 2.01 m (6.6 ft) | 2.04 m (6.7 ft) | 2.04 m (6.7 ft) | 2.04 m (6.7 ft) | 2.90 m (9.5 ft) | 2.04 m (6.7 ft) |
Height (with turret) | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) | 3.18 m (10.4 ft) | 3.22 m (10.6 ft) | 3.00 m (9.84 ft) | — | 2.75 m (9.0 ft) |
Width | 2.99 m (9.8 ft) | |||||
Mass | ||||||
Empty | 19.5 t | 22.0 t | 22.0 t | 20.6 t | 21.5 t | 23.0 |
Payload | 10.5 t | 8.0 t | 8.0 t | 8.0 t | 8.5 t | 7.0 |
GVW (max) | 31.5 t | |||||
Weapon System / Mission Equipment | ||||||
Crew + passengers | 3 + 10 | 3 + 8 | 3 + 3 | 3 + 4 | 3 to 5 crews | 4 |
Main mission equipment | RWS Hitrole® | Turret Hitfist® | Turret Hitfist® | RWS Hitrole® | Thales 2R2M | Recovery equipment |
40 mm grenade launcher /Machine gun heavy or medium | KBA 25 mm /Spike LR / Coaxial MG 7.62 mm | KBA 25 mm / Spike LR / Coaxial MG 7.62 mm | 40 mm grenade launcher / Machine gun heavy or medium | Rifled Recoiled Mounted Mortar 120 mm | Hydraulic crane 245.2 kN·Main winch 30 t | |
Vehicle performances | ||||||
Max speed | 110 km/h (68 mph) | |||||
Range on road | 800 km (500 mi) | |||||
Gradient / Side | 60% (31.0°) | |||||
Side slope | 30% (16.7°) | |||||
Step | 0.6 m (2.0 ft) | |||||
Trench | 2.0 m (6.6 ft) | |||||
Fording depth | 1.5 m (4.9 ft) | |||||
Turning radius | 9.0 m (29.5 ft), with 3 steering axles (1st, 2nd, 4th) | |||||
Power train | ||||||
Engine performance | Engine, Iveco 8262 / Power 550 hp (410 kW) / Torque 2,000 N⋅m (1,500 lb⋅ft) | |||||
Power / mass ratio | 17.5 hp/t (13.0 kW/t) at GVW | |||||
Transmission | Automatic, 5 front + 2 rear gars | |||||
Driveline | Single-differential twin-shaft design (H-shaped driveline) | |||||
Suspension | Hydro-pneumatic and independent suspension | |||||
Protection | ||||||
Hull | Hull made of high hardness monocoque steel and direct fire ballistic armour (ceramic).
| |||||
Floor | V-shaped floot made of high hardness steel
| |||||
Optional systems | Smoke grenade launchers (8 x 80 mm) / NBC protection / IED active jamming protection suite / laser warning system / fire extinguishing system in the crew cabin |
The main modifications are: [27]
Italian Army (330)
Italian Army (300) [29]
Slovenian Ground Force (up to 106)
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