CIO VBM Freccia AMC

8x8 Wheeled Mortar Carrier Vehicle [ 2008 ]

The VBM Freccia AMC is a dedicated mortar-carrying off-shoot of the original Freccia IFV line.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 07/29/2022 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

Image from official IVECO OTO-Melara marketing materials.

GO TO SPECIFICATIONS [+]

Advertisements

The VBM Freccia AMC from CIO of Italy is a dedicated mortar-carrying variant of the capable Freccia 8x8 wheeled, lightly-armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) line detailed elsewhere on this site. The vehicle retains the general form of the original while adding a mobile fire support capability critical to success on the modern battlefield. The AMC is outfitted with a 120mm rifled, semi-automatic mortar weapon system used to reach out to targets and target areas behind cover. The complete system is intended as an infantry support solution with an inherently valuable "shoot-and-scoot" capability.

Key changes to the Freccia IFV are the addition of a pair of outward-opening, hinged, electrically-powered roof doors providing access to the mortar weapon system, which are raised and lowered for action as needed. The firing software, coupled to the mounting hardware, is digital, allowing for powered traversal and elevation corrections by the crew (with manual backup / override possible). As the weapon sits in the hull of the vehicle, it is relatively protected from small arms fire and artillery "spray" by way of basic ballistics protection offered by the lightly-armored truck. Up to 250 mortar projectiles are carried within the vehicle and the weapon can sustain fire up to a theoretical 625 rounds-per-minute. The twin-axis stabilized mounting hardware of the gun tube allows for an elevation span of -20 to +70 degrees (limited to 40-degrees when the mortar is in the low position) across a full 360-degree traversal range left/right from centerline.

The operating crew consists of four total personnel (including a driver and vehicle commander) who have access to modern battlefield implements such as day-night sensors, night-vision equipment, and a laser range finder. The vehicle is further "network-ready" with existing battlefield forces by way of an integrated onboard Command, Control, and Communications (C3) suite.

As a defensive measure, a Leonardo "HITROLE" Remote Weapon is seated over the middle of the hull roof to protect against low-flying threats, light-armored threats, and infantry assaults. This station can accept a 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine gun or a 40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher (AGL) as needed. A manual turret can take its place supporting a 5.56mm or 7.62mm automatic weapon installation.

With the Freccia IFV as its framework, the AMC retains the same cross-country mobility and survivability features. Sharing automotive components also ensures logistical friendliness for budget conscious defense forces seeking to expand their fire support capabilities.

Dimensions of the design include a length of 7.99 meters, a width of 2.99 meters, and a height (to top of turret) of 2.9 meters. Empty weight is 21.5 tons and this increases to a maximum of 31.5 tons when loaded.

An IVECO 8262 6V turbo-charged after-cooler diesel-fueled engine develops 550 horsepower at 2,000rpm driving the vehicle to speeds of 110 kmh out to a range of 800 kilometers. The engine is mated to an automatic transmission system offering five forward and two reverse speeds.

The 8x8 wheeled, four-axle arrangement is largely conventional, featuring run-flat tires and steering of the first, second, and forth axles. A Central Tire Inflation System (CTIS) ensures real-time adjustments for maximum comfort and balance over uneven terrains.

Survivability features include a low overall profile, steel-based hull construction, basic anti-tank mine protection, mine-protected seats for the crew, anti-explosion measures across the crew cabin, an onboard laser warning system, and 8 x 80mm smoke grenade dischargers to screen the vehicle's actions. A full Nuclear-Biological-Chemical (NBC) suite is also present as is a fire suppression system. Armor protection can be enhanced through add-on kits.©MilitaryFactory.com

Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.

Specifications

Service Year

2008

Origin

Italy

Status

ACTIVE
In Active Service.

Crew

4
CREWMEN

Production

250
UNITS

IVECO / OTO-Melara / CIO - Italy

(View other Vehicle-Related Manufacturers)

Italy

(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)

✓ Amphibious Assault
Traverse bodies of open water under own power with / without preparation.

✓ Infantry Support
Support allied ground forces through weapons, inherent capabilities, and / or onboard systems.

✓ Reconaissance
Can conduct reconnaissance / scout missions to assess threat levels, enemy strength, et al - typically through lightweight design.

✓ Special Purpose
Special purpose design developed to accomplish an equally-special battlefield role or roles.

Wheeled Arrangement

Wheeled arrangement gives this system an inherent road-running capability, enhancing mobility.

Remote Weapon Station (RWS)

Vehicle supports a remote-operated weapons station, reducing crew exposure to outside dangers.

Amphibious

System can enter and traverse open water sources - either rivers, lakes, and streams; Amphibious Assault operation support.

Cross-Country Capability

Design includes such features as a track-link system or high ground clearance to better traverse offroad.

Angled Armor

Angled armor at key facings adds inherent ballistics protection to the vehicle.

Shallow Glacis

The shallow design of the glacis plate provides the vehicle with inherent ballistics protection as well as contributes to a lower overall profile - making it more difficult to disable.

Enhanced Armor Protection

Protection is enhanced by way of additional armor being installed over that of standard levels; plate steel for older designs and reactive armor for modern types.

NBC Protection

Crew is provided (either as standard or optional) protection against Nuclear-Biological-Chemical agents for enhanced survivability in contaminated zones.

Smoke Screening

Vehicle has capability to self-generate a smoke screen, either through launched grenades or built-in engine funtion (raw fuel injection).

Nightvision

Crew has access to night-vision equipment, allowing for low-light or night time operations.

Anti-Aircraft / Air-Defense Capable

System is given an anti-aircraft defense component to protect itself from low-flying aerial threats at range.

Anti-Infantry

Vehicle features an in-built anti-infantry capability for local defense of the vehicle or general troop suppression.

Remote Weapons Station

Vehicle supports an unmanned weapons station controlled remotely from within the safety of the vehicle.

Versatility

Vehicle's proven running gear and overall makeup lends itself well to fulfill other battlefield roles by way of specialized designs.

In-Direct Fire Capable

This system's capability is such that it can engage targets / target areas without Line-of-Sight attained.

Length

26.2 ft
7.99 m

Width

9.8 ft
2.99 m

Height

9.5 ft
2.9 m

Weight

69,446 lb
31,500 kg

Tonnage

34.7 tons
MEDIUM

(Showcased structural values pertain to the CIO VBC Freccia AMC production variant. Length typically includes main gun in forward position if applicable to the design)

Powerplant: 1 x IVECO 8262 6V turbo-charged diesel-fueled engine developing 550 horsepower at 2,000rpm driving conventional 8x8, all-wheeled arrangement.

Transmission: 1 x Automatic transmission system with five forward and two reverse speeds.

Speed

68.4 mph
(110.0 kph)

Range

497.1 mi
(800.0 km)

(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the CIO VBC Freccia AMC production variant. Compare this entry against any other in our database)

1 x 120mm rifled semi-automatic field mortar in hull.

OPTIONAL:
1 x Leonardo HITROLE Remote Weapon Station (RWS) supporting 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine guns OR 1 x 40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher (AGL).
1 x Manually-operated gun emplacement supporting 5.56mm or 7.62mm automatic weapon.

Supported Types