Centauro 2 II MGS 120/105 8x8 anti-tank wheeled armoured vehicle

Описание: The Centauro 2 is a new Italian fire support vehicle. It is a next-generation version of the previous Centauro with a 120 mm gun. This combat vehicle was jointly developed by IVECO and OTO Melara to meet an Italian Army requirement. Development commenced in 2010. The first prototype was ready in 2015. It was first publicly revealed in 2016. Italian Army plans to obtain 74 of these new fire support vehicles to replace some of its Centauro B1 vehicles in medium brigades.

The Centauro 2 is intended to carry out tactical reconnaissance, fire support of combat units and territorial defense tasks. It can escort convoys and be used for road patrol missions. Once in service with Italian Army the Centrauro 2 will operate in medium brigades alongside Freccia infantry fighting vehicles, and associated combat vehicles based on similat 8x8 wheeled chassis.

This fire support vehicle is currently the most capable in this class. Most other vehicles are limited by their 6x6 chassis, or carry smaller 105 mm guns. Furthermore this vehicle has an 8x8 chassis, that was purpose-designed to withstand recoil of the powerful 120 mm gun. Most other fire support vehicles use ordinary armored personnel carrier chassis, that are not well suited for this role. Currently there are only few other fire support vehicles, armed with a powerful 120 mm gun. Most of them are demonstrators.

This fire support vehicle is armed with a more powerful 120 mm high-pressure gun. It is compatible with all standard NATO 120 mm tank ammunition. The gun is fed by an automatic loading system.

This fire support vehicle uses APFSDS, multi-role, and other munitions. The 120 mm APFSDS round penetrates 600 mm of rolled homogenous steel armor at a range of 3 000 m.

This fire support vehicle has got a modern fire control system and the latest generation optics. It has a hunter-killer engagement capability. The commander uses a panoramic sight to search for targets. Once the target is selected the gun is laid on the target automatically and the gunner completes al the aiming and firing process. During that time commander looks for the next target. Such hunter-killer engagement method is present on all modern main battle tanks. It allows to acquire and engage targets faster.

The Centauro 2 comes with add-on composite armor. Its front arc provides protection against 40 mm armor-piercing rounds, while all-round protection is against 14.5 mm rounds and artillery shell splinters. Chassis has a number of design features, that improve protection against mine blasts and improvised explosive devices.

The Centauro 2 is operated by a crew of 4, including commander, gunner, driver and loader. The loader transfers ammunition form stowage compartment to the autoloader, and loads the main gun manually in case the autoloader fail