Freccia IFV
The Freccia (Italian: Arrow) is an Italian 8x8 wheeled Infantry fighting vehicle in use with the Italian Army. The first batch of 249 vehicles were ordered to replace Cold War VCC-2 armoured personnel carriers of the Mechanized Brigade "Pinerolo" in Southern Italy. The Freccia is built by a consortium combining Iveco (hull, engine, suspension) and Oto Melara (armament).
| Freccia | |
|---|---|
 Mechanized Brigade "Pinerolo" Freccia | |
| Type | Wheeled infantry fighting vehicle |
| Place of origin | Italy |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2006 – present |
| Wars | War in Afghanistan |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 28 tonnes (31 short tons; 28 long tons) |
| Length | 7.6 m (24 ft 11 in) |
| Width | 2.9 m (9 ft 6 in) |
| Height | 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) |
| Crew | 3 crew (commander, gunner, driver) + 8 passengers |
| Armor | Welded steel hull with ceramic applications |
Main armament | Oerlikon KBA 25×137 mm automatic cannon (200 rounds) |
Secondary armament | 7.62mm co-axial machine gun (4,000 cartridges), optional 7.62mm anti-air machine gun, 8 smoke generators |
| Engine | IVECO Diesel 5HP-1500 V6 405 kW (560 hp) |
| Power/weight | 22,2 hp/tonne |
| Suspension | hydropneumatic |
Operational range | 800–1,000 km (500–620 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 105 km/h (65 mph) 25–30 km/h (16–19 mph) off road |
Design
The Freccia is up-armoured and improved variant of the wheeled Centauro tank destroyer fitted with the Hitfist turret (an evolution of the turret used on the Dardo infantry fighting vehicle), which is armed with an Oerlikon KBA 25mm autocannon and carries 200 rounds of 25×137mm ammunition. Two 7.62mm NATO machine guns are also fitted. Additionally, a pair of Spike MR/LR anti-tank missiles can be fitted on the turret. The Hitfist turret could theoretically also fit cannons and guns of up to 60mm calibre. Four 80mm smoke grenade launchers are mounted on each side of the turret. The fire control system is the same as for the Centauro reconnaissance/anti-tank version. The Freccia can carry up to eight combat-ready troops.
Procurement
In 2006, the Italian government ordered a first batch of 249 Freccia vehicles in the versions: 190 Combat, 36 Combat Anti-tank, 2 Command Post and 21 Mortar Carrier. All of these were delivered by 6 June 2017 and used to equip the Mechanized Brigade "Pinerolo".
In December 2019 a further 81 Freccia were ordered: 5 Combat, 36 Combat Anti-tank, 26 Command Post and 14 Mortar Carrier.[1]
An additional 300 Freccia EVO will be ordered: 180 in various versions to complete the accouterment of the Mechanized Brigade "Aosta", and 120 Freccia EVO Reconnaissance to equip the army's cavalry regiments.[1]
Variants
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- Freccia Combat, with a two-man Hitfist turret with KBA 25mm autocannon
- Freccia Combat Anti-tank, with a two-man Hitfist turret with KBA 25mm autocannon and dual Spike LR anti-tank missile launcher
- Freccia Command Post, in two versions: Freccia Tactical Squad and Freccia Command Squad
- Freccia Mortar Carrier, with TDA-2R2M 120mm mortar
Freccia EVO
The Freccia EVO is a development of the Centauro II with a remote Hitfist OWS turret with 30mm autocannon. The army plans to acquire 300 Freccia EVO, 120 of which in the Reconnaissance variant.[1]
- Freccia EVO Combat, with a remote Hitfist OWS turret with 30mm autocannon
- Freccia EVO Reconnaissance, with a remote Hitfist OWS turret with 30mm autocannon and Janus sensor mast
Current operators
Italian Army - the Freccia EVO reconnaissance and Centauro II will equip the army's cavalry regiments:
See also
References
- "I programmi di acquisizione ed ammodernamento dell'Esercito Italiano". Analisi Difesa. Retrieved 27 May 2020.