| The Dardo tracked armoured vehicle is a development of the M113A1 based VCC-80 infantry fighting vehicle. It is produced by the Iveco-Fiat-Oto Melara
50/50 joint venture, a consortium set up in 1985 to produce combat vehicles, with plants in Bolzano (Iveco) and La Spezia (Oto Melara). Iveco produces
engines, spare parts, suspension systems, tracks and the hull for the wheeled vehicles, and Oto Melara the weaponry, fire-control system, turrets and
optical systems and hulls for the tracked vehicles. In service with the Italian Army, it will replace the VCC.
The hull is of all welded aluminium alloy with add on steel armour plates for increased protection. The vehicle has a very low profile, with height of
2.64 m to the top of the turreted versions, which decreases the radar and visual signature of the vehicle for enhanced survivability.
The vehicle has automatic fire control and passive night vision capabilities, and it is planned to develop a variety of different versions including combat
engineers, recovery, command, antiaircraft, 120 mm mortar carrier, ambulance and light tank with 105 mm gun turret.. It can accommodate a 3 + 7 crew.
The power pack, consisting of the engine and transmission system, is configured for ease of maintenance and are quickly and easily replaced in the
field. The 6V, 382 kW, (1865 Nm) engine supplied by Iveco is one of a modular range of turbo-charged after cooled diesel engines specially designed for
armoured fighting vehicles. The automatic transmission is built under licence from ZF, with 4 forward and 2 reverse gears, and incorporates the steering
system and the hydraulic retarder. The final drives are epicyclic.
The running gear consists of six dual rubber lined road wheels, with three return rollers on each side and connector type tracks. The suspension system
consists of a torsion bar, bumper and hydraulic shock absorber on each suspension arm. There are disc type brakes, on each of the final drives,
integrated by the transmission retarder. The steering gear consists of one stepless range of radii per gear plus the pivot. The maximum speed of the
vehicle is more than 70 km per hour. The vehicle can manoeuvre on gradients of more than 60%. The fording depth is 1.5 m without preparation.
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