Dardo IFV
| Dardo | |
|---|---|
Dardo IFV
|
|
| Type | Infantry fighting vehicle |
| Place of origin | Italy |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1998–present |
| Wars | Operation Iraqi Freedom, War in Afghanistan |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1998 |
| Produced | 1998–present |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 23.4 tonnes (25.8 tons) |
| Length | 6.7 m (22 ft) |
| Width | 3.0 m (9.8 ft) |
| Height | 2.64 m (8.66 ft) |
| Crew | 3 (commander, gunner, driver) + 6 troops |
|
|
|
| Armor | modular Front armour against 25mm APDS |
|
Main
armament |
25mm Oerlikon KBA automatic cannon; 2x Spike Anti-Tank Missile launchers (optional) |
|
Secondary
armament |
7.62 mm coaxial machine gun; Smoke-grenade launchers |
| Engine |
Iveco – Fiat 6V MTCA turbodiesel 512 hp (382.2 kW) |
| Power/weight | 24.5 hp/tonne |
| Suspension | hydropneumatic torsion bar |
|
Operational
range |
600 km (372.8 mi) |
| Speed | 70 km/h (43.5 mi/h) |
The Dardo is an infantry fighting vehicle designed for the Italian Army as a replacement for the M113 APC. It is designed and built by the Iveco Fiat Oto Melara Syndicated Company based in Rome. Iveco is responsible for the hull and propulsion systems, while Oto Melara is responsible for the weapons and fire control systems.
The Dardo is primarily armed with the 25mm Oerlikon KBA automatic cannon firing 600 rounds per minute, with 200 rounds of ready to fire ammunition stored in the turret . Two 7.62mm NATO machine guns are also installed in the turret, one coaxially mounted with the main gun. Five rifle ports, two on each side of the hull and one in the rear are provided to allow troops inside to use their personal weapons, if needed.
Fire control is provided by the Galileo Avionica Hitfist integrated fire control system, which is capable of measuring target speed and range. The commander is provided with six episcope sights, which provide 360° field of view. The cupola can be further fitted with a panoramic stabilised sight. Additionally, a laser range finder and a thermal imager is provided for the gunner. The commander is equipped with a monitor that displays the view from the gunner night vision system.
For dealing with heavy armoured threats, two Spike-LR anti tank missiles can be installed, one on each side of the turret. These missiles have a maximum range of 4 km.
The Dardo hull is built from welded aluminum alloy with add on steel armour plates for increased protection. Over the frontal arc, the vehicle is protected against 25mm APDS projectiles. The side armour protects against 14.5 API projectiles. Four 80mm smoke grenade launchers are installed on each side of the turret.
The Dardo is powered by an Iveco V6 turbo-charged after-cooled diesel engine delivering 512 hp (382.2 kW). This drives a ZF-designed automatic transmission system, which is manufactured under license by Iveco Fiat. The transmission system has four forward and two reverse gears, and incorporates the steering system and the hydraulic retarder.
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Wikipedia