Freccia IFV


The VBM – Freccia is a family of 8×8 armoured vehicles that was designed and manufactured for the Italian Army by Iveco Defence Vehicles for the hull, the engine and the suspension, and OTO Melara for the armament. The first variant to be developed was the IFV, the Freccia being equipped with a Hitfist turret, the same as the one installed on the Dardo IFV.

Background

The Italian Army was looking for a successor to some of the Cold War era M113 variants in the Italian Army, among which the M113 armoured personnel carrier#Italy|VCC-1] infantry fighting vehicle, the VCC-2 armoured personnel carrier and the M106 mortar carrier.
The was replaced by the Dardo IFV. The Freccia was ordered to replace Cold War VCC-2 armoured personnel carriers of the Mechanized Brigade "Pinerolo" in Southern Italy.
A change in the doctrine for a more mobile vehicle was the reason behind the choice of a wheeled platform. And as a support to the infantry, a turret was selected to equip the successor of the VCC-2 APC variant, which increased the capabilities and the power of the infantry brigades. Some other variants such as command post vehicles, mortar carriers are also in use in the Italian Army.
Several batches have been ordered since the first one in 2006.

Design

Design of the Freccia platform

The VBM – Freccia is a Medium Armoured Combat Vehicle . It is an up-armoured variant of the Centauro. It was designed by Iveco Defence Vehicles and OTO Melara with their own resources in order to meet the needs of the Italian Army. A first prototype was produced in 1996. Following a long test campaign, the Italian army selected this vehicle as the winner of the competition and placed a first order for 249 vehicles in 2006. In 2021, a contract was concluded for the design of a MLU of this first generation of vehicles.
After this first batch, the Italian Army needed additional vehicles to replace the specialised variants of the M113 in service.
The electronic architecture of the vehicle is designed according to the NATO General Vehicle Architecture STANAG 4754. This agreement focuses on making the architecture modular, easy and less costly to adapt. Applications can be added to the multi functional control unit as plug and play. It reduces the number of application specific control units, and therefore minimises the need for space and energy. The data, power, communication, sensors, effectors are all integrated according to this architecture. One of the element of this architecture is the SICCONA C2D command, control and navigation system, which includes NEC.
The main variant is the Infantry Fighting Vehicle, and the Anti Tank variant. Both are equipped with a Hitfist manned turret, which has a KBA 25 mm autocannon. For the anti-tank variant, the first variant is equipped with anti-tank missiles to be employed by the dismounted infantry. In the future, a Spike LR missile is to be integrated to the turret.

Upgrade to the Freccia PLUS Platform

Additional vehicles for reconnaissance and additional infantry fighting capabilities were needed to equip the infantry troops. Improvements on the Freccia platform were necessary to keep up with the new technologies.
The Freccia PLUS is a development of the Centauro 2. The main improvements include a new powertrain. The engine power is raised from to, by modifying the engine to common rail direct injection, and preparing it for a future hybrid-electric propulsion system.
The armament capabilities are improved. The turret selected is the unmanned Hitfist OWS equipped with the Leonardo’s X-GUN 30mm 30×173mm chain gun replacing the Oerlikon KBA 25 mm autocannon and can be equipped with anti-tank guided missiles mounted on the side of the turret. The Spike LR is the one used by the Italian Army. The turret is also equipped with a new fire control system. The thermal aiming for the gunner is supplied by Leonardo with the . The commander gets a digital sight, and a mast with a panoramic sight is available especially for the reconnaissance variant, the also supplied by Leonardo.
As for the communications, Leonardo supplies the SWave VQ1 4-channel software defined radio which operates in the HF, VHF and UHF bands, plus a digital intercom system is available. The Italian Army variant is including it in its Network Enhanced Capability, known as the SICCONA C2D/N EVO which is to be expanded to the other armoured fighting vehicles.
The navigation system is using both the GPS signals and the Galileo PRS.
The Iron Fist hard-kill protection system has already been tested, a potential integration is being evaluated by the Italian Army. It would most likely be the Light-Decoupled Iron Fist.

Variants

Operational variants

Variants of the Freccia platform in service with the Italian Army.VBM da Combattimento :
An infantry fighting vehicle equipped with a two-man Hitfist turret with a KBA 25 mm autocannon.VBM Controcarro :
An infantry fighting vehicle equipped with a two-man Hitfist turret with a KBA 25 mm autocannon. Anti-tank guided missiles are included in the internal armament of the variant. A dual Spike LR anti-tank missile launcher will be added to the turret with the middle-life upgrade. VBM Porta Mortaio:
A mortar carrier equipped with the TDA-2R2M 120 mm mortar system and a RCWS Hitrole L with a M2 Browning 12.7 mm NATO machine gun VBM Posto Comando:
Two variants are in operation in the Italian Army
  • * Veicolo Nucleo Comando :
Used by the brigade commander, equipped with a RCWS Hitrole L which uses a heavy machine gun, the M2 Browning in 12.7 mm NATO. A C4 installation is part of its equipment, and additional communication equipment compared to the base IFV variant. It has access to SATCOM, it is equipped with the SIACCON system, 3 servers, and 4 LRT350+ computer posts.
  • * Veicolo Nucleo Tattico '':
Vehicle used by the platoon commander. The base vehicle is the VBM da Combattimento, equipped with a two-man Hitfist turret with a KBA 25 mm autocannon and the same C4 equipment as for the Veicolo Nucleo Comando'' is available in the armoured vehicle.

Future variants

The army plans to acquire 300 Freccia PLUS, 120 of which in the Reconnaissance variant.
PLUS Combat:
With a remote Hitfist OWS turret with 30 mm autocannon and a Spike LR2 missile.Freccia PLUS Reconnaissance:
With a remote Hitfist OWS turret with 30 mm autocannon and a Spike LR2 missile launcher, plus a Janus sensor mast.

Prototypes

Prototypes based on both the Freccia and the Centauro common chassis: VBM Freccia APC:
An armoured personnel carrier variant that was initially planned, but none have been ordered yet, and none are planned to be ordered by the Italian Army.VBC con torretta T60/70A:
A variant equipped with a turret Hitfist on which a 60mm self-loading autocannon by OTO Melara is installed, expected to be used as an anti-armour vehicle, but it was never ordered.VBM Freccia Recupero: ''''
An armoured recovery vehicle.DRACO:
A SPAAG and anti-missile gun, based on the naval autocannon OTO-Melara 76 mm Super Rapido. It can also be used as C-RAM system with APFSDS ammunition.Porcospino:
The "Porcupine" is a self-propelled howitzer using a 155mm L/39 artillery gun.

Current operators

Operators

Italian Army

Successful bids

Total orders expected

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Detailed orders

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Future contracts

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Failed bids

Russian Ground Forces

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Comparable vehicles

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