The first of 249 VBM Freccia was officially delivered today to italian army, some informations about this new toy
The VBM Freccia (Veicolo Blindato Medio, medium armored vehicle) IFV is a variant of the Italian Centauro B1 tank destroyer. Sometimes this IFV is referred as the Centauro VBC. It was developed as a private venture, but was aimed at the Italian Army requirement for a wheeled IFV to operate alongside the Centauro tank destroyers. The first prototype was completed in 1996. Italian Army ordered a number of the Freccia (Arrow) IFVs in 2006. Army has requirement for 249 vehicles of this type to equip two medium brigades. The VBM Freccia received no export orders.
The Freccia is fitted with the OTO Melara Hifist Plus turret. It is an improved variant of the turret used on the Dardo IFV, armed with 25-mm cannon and two 7.62-mm machine guns. An ATGW variant of the Freccia is equipped with two Rafael Spike ML/LR anti-tank guided missiles additionally to the 25-mm cannon.
Secondary armament consists of two 7.62-mm machine guns. One of them is mounted coaxially with the main gun, and another is located on top of the roof.
It is claimed that front armor of the Freccia provides protection against 25 to 30 mm rounds. Underside of the vehicle can withstand 6 kg anti-tank mine blasts. Protection can be increased to withstand 8 kg mine blasts under any wheel. The VBM Freccia is fitted with NBC protection and automatic fire suppression systems.
Vehicle has a crew of three, including commander, gunner and driver and can carry eight fully equipped troops in the rear troop compartment. Infantrymen enter and leave vehicle through the rear ramp or roof hatches.
The VBM Freccia is virtually identical to that of the Centauro tank destroyer, but has a slightly longer and narrower hull, it's weight is 28 tonn. The VBM Frecia is not amphibious.
Variants:
Armored personnel carrier, fitted with Oerlikon KBA 25-mm cannon and 7.62-mm machine gun. Vehicle has a crew of three and can carry eight troops;
ATGW carrier, variant of the IFV, fitted with two Rafael Spike ML/LR anti-tank missiles;
Mortar carrier, armed with a 120-mm mortar;
Command vehicle;
Armored ambulance;
Recovery vehicle.
Credit:easyand
กองทัพบกอิตาลีได้รับมอบรถหุ้มเกราะล้อยาง แบบ Freccia ในรุ่นรถรบทหารราบ(IFV) ชุดแรกจำนวน 249คัน
โดย VBM Freccia เป็นรถหุ้มเกราะ8x8 ขนาด28ตัน ซึ่งรุ่นIFV ติดอาวุธหลักเป็นปืนใหญ่กล 25mm และ ปก.ร่วมแกนขนาด 7.62mm ซึ่งสามารถติดตั้งอาวุธวิถีต่อสูรรถังแบบ Spike เพิ่มที่ป้อมปืนได้อีก2นัดด้วย
