The VBA (Veicolo blindato anfibio), a combination of the SUPERAV of Iveco D.V. and the HITFIST OWS weapon station turret of OTO Melara, has been developed to match the requirements of the new Italian Amphibious Brigade and represents an outstanding progress in the design of armoured amphibious vehicles. Capable of supporting littoral operations beyond Sea State 3, the VBA can carry a 10 tons mission load, including an overhead weapon station mounting up to a 40mm cannon. With outstanding mobility on land and in the water, and airtransportability in a C130, the VBA provides an optimum blend of tactical, operational and strategic mobility.
The HITFIST OWS is a remotely operated weapon station incorporating the latest technologies in the fields of electronics, signature and Man Machine Interface (MMI) and it is the best of class in terms of lethality, survivability and fightability. The main armament consists of the ATK Mk44 30mm chain gun of, electrically controlled for elevation, traversing and firing operations. As an option the main armament can be also completed by the introduction of two Anti Tank missile launchers, side mounted. The weapon station turret is fitted for receiving a secondary armament composed by a 7,62mm machine gun coaxially mounted. The HITFIST® OWS can be completely controlled by one member of the crew (the Gunner) from a remote position, under the hull protection, through a multifunction colour display and joysticks properly accommodated inside the vehicle. Moreover the operator, standing up from the own seat, can perform the 360° direct vision of the battlefield through the episcopes, the ammunition reloading and simple maintenance operations.
The VBA has an under armour volume of 14 m3 and can carry a crew of up to 13 in a highly protected compartment. The VBA HITFIST® OWS monocoque hull is made in high hardness steel which provids a protection for the crew against small arms fire and artillery shell splinters. The vehicle can be also fitted with add-on armour to increase protection against IEDs and mine blast withouth limiting its amphibious capability. The VBA HITFIST® OWS is motorized with an Iveco Cursor 13 6L turbocharged multifuel diesel engine coupled to a ZF 7HP902 gearbox with serven forward and one reverse speed. The vehicle can run at a maximum road speed of 105 km/h with a maximum road range of 800 km. Standard equipment includes NBC protection, automatic fire suppression systems and central tires inflation.
The Iveco – Oto Melara Consortium (CIO in short), was established in 1985 on equal participation between Iveco Defence Vehicles and Leonardo, in order to fulfil the technical-administrative requirements of the Italian Army that in those years launched a series of programmes that led to the production of MBTs, tracked IFVs, wheeled armoured cars and APCs. Iveco Defence Vehicles is a brand of CNH Industrial (NYSE: CNHI /MI: CNHI), a global leader in the capital goods sector with established industrial experience, a wide range of products and a worldwide presence. Through its commercial vehicles and specialty vehicles brands, CNH Industrial offers a range of light, medium and heavy vehicles for the transportation and distribution of goods with the Iveco brand, buses and touring coaches through the Iveco Bus and Heuliez Bus brands, quarry and mining equipment through Iveco Astra, firefighting vehicles through the Magirus brand and a full range of vehicles to meet a broad spectrum of defence applications through the Iveco Defence Vehicles brand.
