Dardo IFV: Difference between revisions

| name = name=Dardo

| caption = caption=Dardo IFV

| origin = [[flag | Italy]]

| type = [[Infantry fighting vehicle]]

| is_vehicle = yes

| service = 1998–present

| design_date =1998 1980s

| production_date = 1998–present

| wars = [[OperationIraq Iraqi FreedomWar]], [[War in Afghanistan (2001-present2001–14)|War in Afghanistan]]

| length = width=36.07 m (9.822 ft)

| width = height=23.640 m (9.8.66 ft)

| height = 2.64 m (8.66 ft)
| weight = 23.4 tonnes (25.8 tons)

| suspension = [[hydropneumatic]] torsion bar

| speed = 70 km/h (43.5 mi/h)

| vehicle_range = vehicle_range=600 km (372.8 mi)

| primary_armament = primary_armament=[[25 mm caliber|25mm25 mm]] [[Oerlikon Contraves|OerlikonKBA]] KBA [[automatic cannon]]; 2x Spike Anti-Tank MissileTOW launchersATGM (optional)

| secondary_armament = secondary_armament=7.62 mm [[Weapon_mount#Coaxial|coaxial]] [[machine gun]]; Smoke-grenade launchers

| armour = armour=modular Front armour against 25mm APDS

| engine = engine=[[Iveco]] – [[Fiat]] 6V MTCA turbodiesel

| crew crew= 3 (commander, gunner, driver) + 6 troops

| engine_power = engine_power=512 hp (382.2 kW)

| pw_ratio = pw_ratio=24.5 hp/tonne

The Dardo is primarily armed with the 25mm [[Oerlikon Contraves|OerlikonKBA]] KBA automatic cannon firing 600 rounds per minute, with 200 rounds of ready to fire ammunition stored in the turret. Two [[7.62mm NATO]] machine guns are also installed in the turret, one coaxially mounted with the main gun. Five rifle ports, two on each side of the hull and one in the rear are provided to allow troops inside to use their personal weapons, if needed.

Fire control is provided by the Galileo Avionica [[Hitfist]] integrated fire control system, which is capable of measuring target speed and range. The commander is provided with six episcope sights, which provide 360° field of view. The cupola can be further fitted with a panoramic stabilised sight. Additionally, a laser range finder and a thermal imager isare provided for the gunner. The commander is equipped with a monitor that displays the view from the gunner night vision system.

For dealing with heavy armoured threats, two [[Spike (missile)|SpikeBGM-LR71 TOW]] anti tank missiles can be installed, one on each side of the turret. These missiles have a maximum range of approximately 4 km.

The Dardo hull is built from welded aluminum alloy with add on steel armour plates for increased protection. Over the frontal arc, the vehicle is protected against 25mm APDS projectiles. The side armour protects against 14.55mm API projectiles. Four 80mm smoke grenade launchers are installed on each side of the turret.

The running gear consists of six dual rubber -lined road wheels, with three return rollers on each side and connector type tracks. The suspension consists of a torsion bar, bumper and a hydraulic shock absorber on each suspension arm. Disc brakes on each of the final drives controlled by a transmission retarder provide the braking.

The Dardo IFVs currently in service with the Italian Army are fitted with the "[[Hitfist]]" IFV turret. The chassis is intended to be the basic model of a family of vehicles, which may include a 120 mm mortar carrier, command (C3I) vehicle, ambulance and light tank with a 105mm gun turret.

Dardo IFVs were deployed with the Italian Army as part of the Italian contribution to [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]] in 2004. Currently10 tenwere arealso deployed in Afghanistan to reinforce the Italian Battlegroups there. Also, some are in use with the Italian [[UNIFIL]] contingent.

== Operators ==

* {{ITA}} -– 200 vehicles

** 8th[[1st Bersaglieri Regiment]], ''Garibaldi'' [[Bersaglieri Brigade "Garibaldi"]]

** 11th[[8th Bersaglieri Regiment]], [[Ariete ArmoredBersaglieri Brigade|''Ariete'' Armored Brigade]]"Garibaldi"

* [[{{lwc|ASCOD]]}}

* [[{{lwc|Bionix AFV|Bionix]]}}

* [[{{lwc|BMP-3]]}}

* [[{{lwc|CV-90]]}}

* [[Tulpar{{lwc|Abhay (IFV)]]}}

[[Category:ArmouredInfantry fighting vehicles of Italy]]

[[Category:OtoOTO Melara]]