B1 Centauro
| Centauro | |
|---|---|
| File:B1 centauro.jpg | |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 25 mt |
| Length | 7.85 m |
| Width | 2.94 m |
| Height | 2.73 m |
| Crew | 4 (commander, gunner, loader and driver) |
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 Consorzio Iveco Fiat - Oto Melara (CIO).
Description
The main armament consists of the Oto Melara 105 mm / 52 caliber gyrostabilised gun, for which up to 40 rounds are carried. Secondary weapons are a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun MG, and another 7.62 mm anti-aircraft MG with 4,000 rounds of ammo. Two missile launchers may also be mounted.
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. The armor withstands 14.5 mm bullets with 25 mm protection on the front, this can be increased to up to 30 mm through additional armor. It was deployed in the former Yugoslavia as well as Somalia and has lived up to its design admirably. It was usually used to escort motor convoys, for wide area control and for road patrols, a centauro troop taook part in the second battle for the bridges of Nassirija destroing a building with enemy snipers inside. Currently it is in use with the Italian and Spanish armed forces.
Variants
- Centauro VBC Infantry Fighting Vehicle
It has a new turret for 25/30mm cannon.
- The Italian government in 2006 has found the money for a first tranche of 49 Centauro VBC [citation needed].
- Centauro 120mm.
- A Centauro with a light weight 120/45 cannon, in new design turret and with new composite up-armour that can resist to 40mm APFSDS rounds on the front. This version may replace the MBT Leopard 1A5 in the Italian army.