Finmeccanica´s Oto Melara SpA has recently displayed the Centauro VBM (Veicolo Blindato Medio) 8×8 armoured vehicle modified as a 155mm self-propelled artillery system.

It comprises a 155mm/39 turreted gun installed in the wheeled armoured high mobility chassis. The protected turret has a stealth design and is fitted with eight grenade dischargers, a digitized suite, a powerful elevation system, an automatic loading system for ammunition and propelling charges and can be equipped with a remotely controlled weapon station like the Oto Melara SpA HITROLE lightweight and stealth system which is armed with a 12.7mm heavy machine gun. It can fire the Oto Melara SpA Vulcano family of guided ammunitions and as well as standard NATO shells. It requires less than three minutes to be deployed ready for fire and one minute to abandon the scene after the action.

Centauro VBM family of vehicles is build by CIO (Società Consortile Iveco-Oto Melara), a consortium between Iveco D.V. and Oto Melara SpA.

Centauro VBM is the chassis for different combat vehicles including Centauro VBM Freccia infantry fighting vehicle of the Italian Army, Centauro VBM reconnaissance and fire support vehicle in service with the armies of Italy, Spain and Oman which feature the Oto Melara SpA HITFACT turret armed with 105mm/52 or 120mm/45 guns, Centauro VBM Draco equipped with a 76mm turreted gun, Centauro VBM Recovery combat armoured recovery vehicle of which Spain has procured four units and a the chassis for the artillery system and Centauro VBM Freccia Explorer which feature a hull with increased protection and Oto Melara SpA HITFIST Plus turret armed with a 25mm gun and two twin launchers for Oto Melara SpA HORUS mini-unmanned air systems for surveillance and tactical reconnaissance missions.

CIO also presented the VBA wheeled infantry fighting vehicle, a combination of the SUPERAV 8×8 amphibious armoured vehicle of Iveco D.V. and the Oto Melara SpA HITFIST OWS remotely operated weapon station of Oto Melara, and as well as a Dardo tracked infantry fighting vehicle configured as a mobile mortar carrier. The vehicle is equipped with the 120mm 2R2M mortar system from TDA Armements.

(Oto Melara SpA).

(Oto Melara SpA ).

(Oto Melara SpA ).