CIO VBM Freccia AIFV/ATGM

Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle / Missile Carrier

Italy | 2008

"The VBM Freccia AIFV/ATGM is a dual-role armored vehicle of Italian design - suitable for troop-carrying and tank-killing."

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 07/08/2023 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Image from official CIO marketing materials.

The VBM Freccia AIFV/ATGM is the Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) / tank-killer form of the base Freccia armored vehicle offered by CIO of Italy. The type retains the general form of the original vehicle but broadens its mission set to include infantry support and an anti-tank capability. The same 8x8 wheeled arrangement is retained as is the low profile design making it an ideal solution for the modern battlefield.

Internally, there is a crew of three made up of the driver, vehicle commander, and gunner with additional seating for up to eight combat-ready troops in the hull rear. Entry-exit is primarily accomplished through a powered door located at the rear hull face, giving unfettered access to the fighting cabin. This pushes the powerpack to the front-right which results in the driver being positioned at the front-left. Access hatches are located at the driver's position and at the commander's and gunner's turret positions. Night vision equipment is supported.

The turret is a Leonardo development known as the HITFIST Plus which features either a 25mm or 30mm automatic cannon solution (a 7.62mm co-axial machine gun being standard in either arrangement). Between six and eight smoke grenade dischargers can be featured on the turret. The Fire Control System (FCS) is digital an offered with a variety of sighting and sensor systems as well as fully-stabilization for firing "on-the-move". The vehicle is also given a complete Command, Control, and Communications (C3) suite to better network with allied battlefield components. Full 360-degree traversal can be had from the emplacement.

The 25mm automatic cannon is the KBA Oerlikon system while the 30mm fit is the ATK MK 44 model. 200 projectiles of either High-Explosive (HE) or Armor-Piercing, Discarding Sabot (APDS) rounds (typically a mix of both) can be carried and fed into the weapon systems.

600 x Rounds of 7.62mm ammunition are carried for the co-axial machine gun fitting.

Beyond its ballistics-based offerings, the AIFV/ATGM can optionally support Anti-Tank, Guided-Missiles (ATGMs) to ranged tank-killing firepower. The boxed launchers are mounted along the sides of the turret offering four ready-to-fire missiles with an additional eight missiles retained in the hull for reloading.

A single 7.62mm machine gun can be mounted on the turret roof as an Anti-Aircraft (AA) / anti-infantry measure.

Like other vehicles of the Freccia line, the AIFV/ATGM model is steerable at the first, second, and forth axles for an improved turn radius. The 8x8x wheeled arrangement, complete with its MacPherson independent hydro-pneumatic suspension system, offers excellent mobility when going cross-country.

Structurally, the vehicle has a running length of 8.56 meters with a width of 2.99 meters and a height of 3.18 meters to turret top. Empty weight is 22 tons against a gross weight of 31.5 tons when loaded.

The IVECO 8262 6V turbo-charged after-cooler engine delivers 550 horsepower at 2,000rpm and the transmission system is automatic, featuring five forward and two reverse gears.

The roadwheels are oversized for heavy-duty usage and are of run-flat design while being managed through a Central Tire Inflation System (CTIS).

Beyond its relatively compact form and low-profile shape, the AIFV/ATGM also sports a hardened steel hull, base ballistics protection, basic mine protection, mine-resistant seats for the occupants, and a laser warning system.

With its all-modern approach in form and function, the VBM Freccia AIFV/ATGM is a welcome addition to any ground force arsenal - combining a proven drivetrain and framework while offering inherent mobility to keep up with the main fighting force.

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Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one land system design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the CIO VBM Freccia AIFV/ATGM Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle / Missile Carrier.

1 x IVECO 8262 6V turbo-charged after-cooler engine developing 550 horsepower at 2,000rpm driving conventional 8x8 all-wheeled arrangement.
Installed Power

68 mph
110 kph
Road Speed

497 miles
800 km
Range

Structure
The physical qualities of the CIO VBM Freccia AIFV/ATGM Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle / Missile Carrier.

3
(MANNED)
Crew

28.1 ft
8.56 meters
O/A Length

9.8 ft
2.99 meters
O/A Width

10.4 ft
3.18 meters
O/A Height

69,446 lb
31,500 kg | 34.7 tons
Weight

Armament & Ammunition
Available supported armament, ammunition, and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the CIO VBM Freccia AIFV/ATGM Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle / Missile Carrier.

VARIABLE:
1 x 25mm KBA Oerlikon OR 1 x ATK Mk 44 automatic cannon in front turret face.
1 x 7.62mm co-axial machine gun in front turret face.
6 OR 8 x Smoke grenade dischargers on turret.

OPTIONAL:
2 x 2-cell Anti-Tank, Guided-Missile (ATGM) launchers on turret sides.
1 x 7.62mm Anti-Aircraft (AA) machine gun on turret roof.

AMMUNITION:
200 x 25mm / 30mm projectiles (HE or APDS types).
600 to 800 x 7.62mm ammunition (1 or 2 x 7.62mm machine gun systems).
6 to 8 x Smoke grenades.
12 x ATGMs (if equipped).

SPECIAL EQUIPMENT:
Nightvision - YES.
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Protection (CBRN) - YES.

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the CIO VBM Freccia AIFV/ATGM family line.

VBM Freccia AIFV/ATGM - Base Series Designation.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the CIO VBM Freccia AIFV/ATGM. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national land systems listing.

Total Production: 350 Units
Contractor(s): CIO / IVECO / OTO-Melara - Italy

[ Italy ]

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Image from official CIO marketing materials.

Design Qualities
Some designs are single-minded in their approach while others offer a more versatile solution to battlefield requirements.

AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT

ANTI-TANK/ARMOR

INFANTRY SUPPORT

RECONNAISSANCE

Recognition
Some designs stand the test of time while others are doomed to never advance beyond the drawing board; let history be their judge.

Military lapel ribbon representing modern aircraft

Going Further...
The CIO VBM Freccia AIFV/ATGM Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle / Missile Carrier appears in the following collections:

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