Centauro 2 / NEW Italian Best Fire Support Vehicle

Centauro 2. The Centauro 2 is a new Italian fire support vehicle. It is a next-generation version of the previous Centauro with a 120mm gun. 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 Centauro 2 will operate in medium brigades alongside Frecchia 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 105mm guns. Furthermore this vehicle has an 8x8 chassis that was purpose designed to withstand recoil of the powerful 120mm 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 120mm gun. Most of them are demonstrators. This fire support vehicle is armed with a more powerful 120mm high-pressure gun. It is compatible with all standard NATO 120mm tank ammunition. The gun is fed by an automatic loading system. This fire support vehicle uses APFSDS, multi-role, and other munitions. The 120mm APFSDS round penetrates 600mm of rolled homogeneous steel armor at a range of 3,000m. 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 all the aiming and firing process. During that time commander looks for the next target. The Centauro II comes with add-on composite armor. Its front arc provides protection against 40mm armor-piercing rounds while all-round protection is against 14.5mm rounds and artillery shell splinters. Chassis has a number of design features that improve protection against mine blasts and improvised explosive devices. The Centauro II is operated by a crew of four including commander, gunner, driver, and loader. The loader transfers ammunition-formed stowage compartment to the autoloader and loads the main gun manually in case the autoloader fails. This fire support vehicle is powered by Iveco turbocharged diesel engine. Developing 720 horsepower engine is located at the front. It is mated to an automatic transmission. Steering is provided on the first and second axles and at slow speed with also the fourth axle. Vehicle is equipped with run-flat tires and fitted with central tire inflation system.