OTO-Melara SIDAM 25

Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun (SPAAG) Vehicle

Italy | 1987

"Using the chassis and hull of the American M113 APC and the existing Oerlikon autocannon, the Italians were able to produce a cost-effective air-defense weapon in the late 1980s."

Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one land system design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the OTO-Melara SIDAM 25 Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun (SPAAG) Vehicle.

1 x Detroit Diesel 6V-53 diesel-fueled engine developing 215 horsepower.
Installed Power

42 mph
68 kph
Road Speed

311 miles
500 km
Range

Structure
The physical qualities of the OTO-Melara SIDAM 25 Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun (SPAAG) Vehicle.

3
(MANNED)
Crew

16.6 ft
5.05 meters
O/A Length

8.9 ft
2.7 meters
O/A Width

6.1 ft
1.85 meters
O/A Height

27,558 lb
12,500 kg | 13.8 tons
Weight

Armament & Ammunition
Available supported armament, ammunition, and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the OTO-Melara SIDAM 25 Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun (SPAAG) Vehicle.

4 x 25mm Oerlikon KBA autocannons in traversing turret over hull.

AMMUNITION:
Not Available.

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the OTO-Melara SIDAM 25 family line.

SIDAM 25 - Base Series Name.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 07/28/2022 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Even into the 1980s the threat of open war in Europe against an invading Soviet force was very real. This prompted all major militaries of the region to continue to keep a noticeable presence as a natural deterrent. One of the largest threats to meet ground forces of the period would have been low-flying aircraft such as attack helicopters and this led to continued support for cost-effective, projectile-firing weapon systems for land forces.

When the Italian Army sought such a mobile, self-propelled weapons platform - and the OTO-Melara ADT failed to net much interest - it took a budget-conscious route and looked to the existing American M113 Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) of which it already operated in some number - thousands were in service and continue to be fielded today (2016). To this was added a turret component developed by OTO-Breda which sat four 25mm Oerlikon autocannons in a 2x2 pattern, the guns straddling the turret section. All other functions of the M113 remained intact and power was provided by a Detroit Diesel 6V-53 diesel-fueled engine of 215 horsepower allowing for a maximum road speed of 42 miles per hour and an operational range out to 310 miles. Armor protection was 38mm at its thickest and the operating crew numbered three. A side-mounted door was added for better crew access and firing ports were available for close-in self-defense by the operators.

The turret was given a full 360-degree rotating over the hull roof of the vehicle. Targets were dealt with through an optronic-based Fire Control System (FCS) as well as a laser rangefinder for accurized fire at range. However, no radar system was fitted to the machine which meant that its tactical capability was limited largely to good-weather, daytime operation. 8,600 x 25mm projectiles were typically carried and these were of the High-Explosive variety. A further 300 x 25mm shells of an Armor-Piercing (AP) flavor were stored on the vehicle should its guns need to contend with approaching enemy armor (limited to soft-skinned threats). Beyond this, the vehicle was also outfitted with a 7.62mm M136 Minigun Gatling-style support-minded weapon with 10,500 x 7.62mm ammunition carried.

The SIDAM 25 has remained in limited service since its introduction in 1987 with a total of 276 units completed. While never exported the turret has been seated on other foreign vehicle types seen in Brazil and Spain. The SIDAM 25 has also yet to see combat deployment and service.

Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the OTO-Melara SIDAM 25. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national land systems listing.

Total Production: 276 Units
Contractor(s): OTO-Melara (Leonardo-Finmeccanica) - Italy

[ Italy ]

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Image from the Italian Army.

Going Further...
The OTO-Melara SIDAM 25 Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun (SPAAG) Vehicle appears in the following collections:

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