B1 Centauro

Infobox Weapon|is_vehicle=yes
name=Centauro


caption=
type=Wheeled Tank Destroyer
origin=flagcountry|Italy
crew= 4 (commander, gunner, loader and driver)
length= 7.85 m
width= 2.94 m
height= 2.73 m
emptyweight= 25.25 mt
combatweight=26.85 mt
armour= Welded steel armoured hull
primary_armament= Oto Melara 105 mm 52 cal. gun
secondary_armament= 2 x 7.62 mm MG (coaxial, AA mount)
engine=Iveco turbo-charged V6 diesel
engine_power=512 hp (382.2 kW)
suspension=Wheel 8 x 8
speed= 110 km/h
pw_ratio= 19.35 hp/tonne
vehicle_range= 800 km

The Centauro is a wheeled tank destroyer designed for light to medium territorial defense and tactical reconnaissance. It was developed by a consortium of manufacturers, the Società Consortile Iveco Fiat - Oto Melara (CIO). Iveco Fiat was tasked with developing the hull and propulsion systems while Oto Melara was responsible for developing the turrets and weapon systems.

Description

The vehicle was developed in response to an Italian Army requirement for a tank destroyer with the firepower of the old Leopard 1 main battle tank then in service with the Italian Army but with greater strategic mobility. The main mission of the Centauro is to protect other lighter elements of the cavalry, using its good power-to-weight ratio, excellent range and cross country ability (despite the wheeled design) and computerized fire control system to accomplish this mission. Centauro entered production in 1991 and deliveries were complete by 2006.

Armament

The main armament consists of the Oto Melara 105 mm / 52 caliber gyro-stabilized low pressure gun equipped with a thermal sleeve and an integrated fume extractor, with 14 ready rounds in the turret and another 26 rounds in the hull. The gun can fire standard NATO ammunition, including APFSDS (Armour Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot) rounds.

Secondary weapons are a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun, and another 7.62 mm anti-aircraft machine gun with 4,000 rounds of ammunition.

Aiming is provided by Galileo Avionica TURMS fire control system (the same fitted to the Italian Ariete tank) and is equipped with a muzzle referencing system and a fully digital ballistic computer. The gunner sight is fully stabilized and comes equipped with a thermal imager and laser rangefinder. The commander's station is equipped with a panoramic stabilized sight, an image intensifying night sight and a monitor displaying the image from the gunner's thermal sight. This allows Centauro to engage targets while stationary or on the move against stationary or moving targets day or night.

Armour

The Centauro hull is an all-welded steel armoured hull which is designed to withstand in the baseline configuration 14.5 mm bullets and shell fragments with protection against 25 mm munition on the frontal section. Protection can be increased by the addition of bolt on appliqué armour which increases protection against 30mm rounds.

The Centauro is also equipped with an NBC (Nuclear, Chemical and Biological) warfare protection system which is integrated with the vehicle's air conditioning system. The vehicle is also equipped with a four-barreled smoke grenade launcher mounted on each side of the turret and a laser warning receiver.

Propulsion

Centauro is powered by an Iveco 6V turbo-charged after-cooled diesel engine delivering 512 hp (382.2 kW). This drives a ZF-designed automatic transmission which is manufactured under license by Iveco Fiat. The transmission system has five forward and two reverse gears. This drives 8 wheels which are each equipped with an independent suspension system and is furthermore equipped with run-flat inserts and a Central Tyre Inflation System (CTIS). Braking is provided by 8 disc brakes. Steering is provided on the first and second axles and at slow speed with also the fourth axle. Together, this allows Centauro to achieve road speeds in excess of 100km/h, negotiate gradients up to 60%, ford water up to a depth of 1.5m without preparation, and have a turning radius of 9m.

Combat history

Centauro was deployed in the former Yugoslavia and Somalia, where the design apparently proved successful. Centauro was usually used to escort motor convoys, for wide area control and for road patrols. Centauros were also deployed during operation "Antica Babilonia", the Italian involvement in the Iraq War. During this operation, a Centauro troop took part in the second battle for the bridges of Nassiriya destroying a building with enemy snipers insideFact|date=February 2007. It is currently deployed as part of UNIFIL forces in Lebanon.

Variants

* Centauro Reconnaissance Anti-Tank Variant:: The baseline variant.

* Centauro 120mm: A Centauro with a low recoil 120/45 cannon, in newly designed turret and with new composite up-armour that can resist to 40mm APFSDS rounds on the front. This version could in the future replace the Leopard 1A5 in the Italian army.

* VBM Freccia (Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle): This Centauro up-armoured and revised variant is fitted with the Hitfist Plus turret (an evolution of that used on the Dardo IFV), which is armed with the Oerlikon KBA 25mm automatic cannon and carries 200 rounds of 25mm ammunition. A pair of 7.62mm NATO machine guns is also equipped. The vehicle can be further armed with a pair of Spike ML/LR anti-tank missiles, and eight 80mm smoke grenade launchers. The fire control system is the same as for the reconnaissance / anti-tank version. This variant is crewed by a crew of three which consists of a gunner, driver and commander, and can further carry an additional eight combat-ready troops. 49 units of the different types have been ordered by Italian government in 2006.

Operators

;ITA::* 400 Centauro Reconnaissance Anti-Tank Variant :* 249 VBM Freccia (172 standard, 36 combat anti-tank, 20 command center and 21 mortar carrier on order);ESP::* 84 Centauro Reconnaissance Anti-Tank Variant

External links

* [http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/centauro.htm FAS.org]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/centauro.htm Globalsecurity.org]
* [http://www.army-technology.com/projects/centauro/ Army-technology.com]
* [http://www.d-2-128.org/armorid/centau.htm Explore Company D, 2/128th Infantry info page]
* [http://www.janes.com/defence/land_forces/supplement/lav/lav_centauro.shtml Jane's Light Armoured Vehicles]