The Italian Military intends to increase operational lifetime of 135 Dardo Infantry Preventing Automobiles (IFVs), to maintain heavy functionality untill the enter in service of Armored Infantry Preventing Car (AIFV) in 2026. In line with a street map 2021-2023 revealed in 2021 by the Italian Ministry of Protection, the purpose of the Armoured Infantry Fight System (AICS) program is to resume your complete fight capability of Italian Military. Improve areas might be extra highly effective engine, new optics and enhanced safety. The Dardo IFVs at the moment in service with the Italian Military are fitted with the “Hitfist” IFV turret. The chassis is meant to be the essential mannequin of a household of automobiles, which can embrace a 120 mm mortar provider, command (C3I) car, ambulance and light-weight tank with a 105mm gun turret.
The Dardo is an infantry preventing car designed for the Italian Military as a alternative for the M113 APC. It’s designed and constructed by the Iveco Fiat Oto Melara Syndicated Firm primarily based in Rome. Iveco is accountable for the hull and propulsion programs, whereas Oto Melara is accountable for the weapons and fireplace management programs. The Dardo hull is constructed from welded aluminum alloy with add on metal armour plates for elevated safety. Over the frontal arc, the car is protected towards 25mm APDS projectiles. The aspect armour protects towards 14.5mm API projectiles. 4 80mm smoke grenade launchers are put in on either side of the turret.
Commercial
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 computerized transmission system, which is manufactured underneath license by Iveco Fiat. The transmission system has 4 ahead and two reverse gears, and incorporates the steering system and the hydraulic retarder. The suspension consists of a torsion bar, bumper and a hydraulic shock absorber on every suspension arm. The operating gear consists of six twin rubber-lined street wheels, with three return rollers on either side and connector sort tracks. Collectively, this permits the Dardo to attain speeds in extra of 70 km/h, maneuver on gradients of greater than 60% and ford waters as much as a depth of 1.5 m.
The Dardo is primarily armed with the 25mm Oerlikon KBA computerized cannon firing 600 rounds per minute, with 200 rounds of prepared to fireplace ammunition saved within the turret. Two 7.62mm NATO machine weapons are additionally put in within the turret, one coaxially mounted with the primary gun. 5 rifle ports, two on either side of the hull and one within the rear are supplied to permit troops inside to make use of their private weapons, if wanted. Fireplace management is supplied by the Galileo Avionica Hitfist built-in fireplace management system, which is able to measuring goal velocity and vary. For coping with heavy armoured threats, two BGM-71 TOW anti tank missiles might be put in, one on either side of the turret. These missiles have a most vary of roughly 4 km.
