In the early 2000 the Italian Army decided to transform two of its brigades into medium units, equipped with 8×8 wheeled armoured infantry fighting vehicles. Known as VBM, the Italian acronym for medium armoured vehicle, or Freccia, it is in service with the “Pinerolo” and “Aosta” brigades and has been first deployed to Afghanistan in 2010. Half-way through deliveries, the Italian Army will soon start receiving these 8×8 vehicles at a wholly new standard, named VBM 30 NG (New Generation)
EDR On-Line was given a full briefing on the VBM 30 NG by CIO (Consorzio Iveco-Oto Melara), representatives from IDV and Leonardo, responsible respectively for the vehicular platform and the turret, providing a full insight into the new vehicle, because the 76 Freccia ordered with the contract signed on 30 December 2024 are definitely wholly new vehicles.
“In 2021 we signed a contract for the Mid-Life Upgrade[1] of the Veicolo Blindato Medio (VBM), as the Freccia is officially known by the Italian Army. The updated version was known as VBM Plus, the upgrade aiming mostly at overcoming obsolescence and extend operational life, without major improvements on mobility, firepower, and protection,” IDV representatives told EDR On-Line. An improvement of the engine was planned, bringing its output from 550 to 660 hp and the torque from 2,100 to 2,500 Nm.
“Since 2021 the situation in the world has changed consistently, which led to the need to align the characteristics of the VBM Freccia to those of the other wheeled combat vehicles in use in Europe,” CIO representatives explained. All the upgrades to the vehicular platform planned in the Freccia Plus MLU programme remain valid, however protection will be considerably increased. “We are completely redesigning the hull, wheel arches are being eliminated, and the belly under the rear compartment will now feature a V-shape to deflect blast energy in case of mine or IED explosion, either under wheel or under belly,” the IDV representative explained. While energy absorbing seats will remain the same as in the original VBM, they are now decoupled from the floor, actions being taken to further reduce accelerations induced by explosions. “In the original VBM the walking surface of the rear compartment was tied to the floor by rubber pads. In the new hull this is tied to the seat structure, decoupling it from the floor, thus further reducing accelerations and possible leg injuries. This solution comes from the VBA amphibious vehicle,” EDR On-Line was told. The VBA is the version ordered by the Italian Navy of the SUPERAV 8×8, the vehicular platform developed by IDV and also in service with the US Marine Corps under ACV program, developed together with BAE Systems.
Ballistic protection is also being increased, EDR On-Line understanding that the VBM 30 NG is at least one level up according to STANAG 5469 compared to the legacy vehicle. “Its hull will be produced from scratch,” we were told, IDV representatives adding “its geometry is simplified, as eliminating wheel arches not only improves antimine performances but also simplifies the construction method,” the internal layout also benefitting from this modification. What is not changing is the design of the engine bay, which maintains identical mechanical interfaces. Protection improvement is ensured not only by the new geometry but also by exploiting new materials, leveraging developments used for the Centauro II and VBA.
As it always happens when vehicles evolve, gross vehicle mass (and payload) increases. “We started at 31.5 tonnes, then the contract signed in 2021 aimed at 33 tonnes, which led to the engine power increase up to 660 hp, the goal of the current programme being to reach 35 tonnes, hence a further output increase that will bring to 720 hp,” EDR On-Line was told. The engine remains the same, the IVECO 8262 6V Commonrail turbocharged with after cooler and electronic injection, which is now known as the IDV 6V TCA Commonrail. The main shift was done between the legacy and the Plus version, where electronic injection replaced the mechanical pump, and the engine displacement was increased. The further step, from 660 to 720 hp, is mainly due to a new software and calibrations, which increases the output while maximum torque remains at 2,500 Nm, possibly with a flatter curve. EDR On-Line understood that the development of the 660 hp version is now being completed. The power increase will lead to some changing to the “H” transmission; “the increase from 33 to 35 tonnes gross vehicle mass and the higher output will need some improvements to the drive chain; we are currently defining which are the mechanical parts we will have to work on,” IDV sources specified.
As for independent suspensions, which remain of the McPherson hydropneumatic type, an improvement was already planned for the VBM Plus in the contract signed in 2021; this included the strengthening of the shock absorber, and it is being retained for the VBM 30 NG. The increased output power was needed to ensure performances in line with original VBM requirements even with the increased mass, which are power-to-mass ratio over 20 hp/t, 105 km/h maximum speed on road, 60% ramp and 30% side slope. The hull redesign took into consideration also maintenance issues, the new VBM 30 NG being easier to repair and maintain compared to its predecessor. IDV experts also had to consider fuel consumption, the 800 km range at 70 km/h on road remaining the target.
The CIO is currently producing two prototypes of the Freccia Plus that will be used to validate and qualify the solutions that could then be used for upgrading the existing VBM fleet, while they also be included in the VBM 30 NG development, thus allowing an easier and quicker qualification of the latter.
Switching to the turret, which falls under the responsibility of Leonardo, the contract signed in 2021 was aiming at resolving the obsolescence of electronic components. “The company intended to make a technological leap forward by introducing the NATO General Vehicle Architecture (NGVA) concept, making it an NGVA-ready system, while introducing a whole set of new electronic systems, such as the Janus-D digital panoramic sight,” a Leonardo representative told EDR On-Line.
One of the key improvements of the VBM 30 NG over the legacy vehicle is the adoption of a new gun chambered for the 30×173 mm munition. This is fitted to a derivative of the two-man HITFIST turret that was proposed by Leonardo for the Spanish Dragon VEC (Vehículo de Exploración de Caballería), the Cavalry reconnaissance version of the 8×8 armoured vehicle. In the Italian Army version this turret will be armed with the 30 mm X-Gun which is in the last phase of development by Leonardo, together with an airburst ammunition, which should soon be qualified by KNDS Ammo Italy. “The 30 mm ABM round will also provide some Counter-UAS capacity; the Janus-D sight includes a laser rangefinder which repetition rate and beam divergence are able to cope with small flying targets such as UAS,” Leonardo representatives told EDR On-Line. The maximum elevation reached by the X-Gun is of 60°, maximum depression being -10°. He also underlined that specific algorithms were developed for predicting UAS trajectories to increase the kill probability. As for the gunner’s sight, the LOTHAR (Land Optronic Thermal Aiming Resource) is replaced by the LOTHAR SD (Stabilised Digital). In the old turret the 25 mm KBA Oerlikon gun was mechanically linked to the mirror of the original LOTHAR optronic gunner sight, therefore the 2128 contract included the replacement of the day and night cameras, while keeping the same link. The adoption of the two digital sights will reduce the logistic burden, as these are also in use on the Ariete C2, the upgraded version of the MBT, as well as on the Centauro II new generation armoured car. The VBM 30 NG turret will be fitted with the LOTHAR SD, which is slightly bigger than the legacy LOTHAR and therefore some turret re-design will be needed. Moreover, in the Next Gen Freccia the gunner sight will have its own stabilisation system and will not be mechanically linked to the 30 mm cannon. The main weapon will have over 200 ready-to-fire rounds in two feeds, usually with a 120/80 rounds split (the same number available in the current turret armed with the 25 mm cannon). Ammunition boxes reload is performed under armour, the 200 rounds limit being the best compromise between firepower and ease of reload, boxes being able to contain up to around 220 rounds of different types, depending on the mission, this number being higher than what is available to most of the turrets deployed of the previous generation, according to Leonardo officials.
While the 30 mm package answers NATO lethality requirements, Leonardo also considered safety as a key issue. The turret maintains the aluminium structure while the add-on armour has been upgraded, exploiting the most recent breakthroughs in protection, the level remaining obviously classified, but in line with the protection improvements of the chassis.
Technology insertion is the third development pillar of the turret, which electronic architecture is compliant with the NGVA standard, allowing future easy upgrades and the addition of new subsystems. EDR On-Line understood that such choice also aims at commonalities between the Centauro II, the VBN 30 NG, and the future tracked vehicles that will equip Italian Army heavy formations, starting from the Ariete C2 MBT, then to the A2CS infantry fighting vehicle, to the Panther MBT.
The command control and navigation system installed on the new 8×8 is the C2D/N EVO, the latest version of the system developed by Leonardo in close cooperation with the Army, the same that is being installed on all Italian Army new and upgraded platforms. Compared to the Freccia currently in service, the turret crew will have three displays rather than two, all provided by Larimart, a Leonardo company, which also provides the new Intercom system; in legacy Freccia the commander must switch from sighting images to tactical command and control views, to views concerning the vehicle status, the third screen allowing him or her to better manage all those information. Not only, the NGVA architecture allows reconfiguring the system to cope with possible failures of one of the screens. The fact that the two operators are seated close to each other is a further advantage, the middle screen being under the sight of both crew members. The VBM 30 NG is also equipped with a new GPS receiver that can operate on both GPS and Galileo signals.
“The communications suite will be centred on Leonardo’s SWave Vehicular Quad-channel Type1 (VQ1) radio operating in VHF/UHF and HF frequency bands, and on a Harris AN/PRC-152A which ensures SATCOMs. The VBM 30 NG will leverage the work done on the Ariete MBT in terms of antennas, and will feature some multiband aerials, the HF and SATCOM having of course dedicated antennas,” the Leonardo representative explains, underlining that the HF was not a requirement for the MBT. The HF channel will be linked to the dedicated antenna through Leonardo’s HF Integrated Couplifier, which includes a 125 W RF Power Amplifier and an antenna tuning unit operating in the 1.6-30 MHz frequency range. As for the AN/PRC-152A it is linked to two antennas through the Harris Trimline vehicular amplifier, which features three antenna ports, a SATCOM one, a UHF one and a VHF one; only the first two are used, the UHF for air ground communications. The vehicle will of course be fitted with the Leonardo’s Guardian H3 counter-IED jammer, which two antennas will be installed on two sponsons at the rear of the hull, as in the current Freccia.
A further improvement to the Freccia firepower comes from the antitank missile that will be installed. The VBM 30 NG will be fitted with Rafael’s Spike LR2 missiles which, compared to the Spike LR currently in use on legacy antitank Freccia, increases the range from 4 to 5.5 km and can be launched also against targets located beyond line of sight, exploiting the target grids provided by the Battle Management System. This is networked with the other players on the battlefield; therefore, the missile can be launched on grids provided by a third party, all this requiring a higher data exchange rate between the missile system and the turret firing control system. The upgrade to the Spike LR2 standard will also be introduced on legacy VMB Antitank platforms already in service.
Compared to the original VBM Freccia the VBM 30 NG is marginally longer, 8.64 metres (+0.14 metres) with winch, and wider, 3.0 metres versus 2.99 metres, while hull height is increased by 190 mm, up to 2.23 metres; this is due partly to the increased ground clearance, 0.45 versus 0.41 metres, the internal volume remaining of 11 m3. The height to the turret roof is decreased, 2.92 versus 3.18 metres, certainly due to the redesign of the turret armed with the new gun. Performances remain identical or very similar, over 105 km/h on road, with a range of over 800 km at 70 km/h, gradient and side slope respectively over 60% and 30%. 0.6 metres step and 2.0 metres trench, 1.5 metres fording without preparation, the turning cycle remaining under 9 metres thanks to the three-axle steering, on the first, second and fourth axles.
Looking ahead, CIO is working on Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms for numerous applications. EDR On-Line understood that some AI algorithms related to automatic target acquisition, recognition and identification might be already available and be added to the VBM 30 NG, while more sophisticated solutions meant to reduce the vehicle commander workload in the decision-making field might be inserted at a later date, when they will also be fed into the Centauro II and Ariete C2 platforms.
Hybrid propulsion might also become an option in the future. IDV invested heavily on hybrid propulsion in the last few years, some of its R&D programmes being part of the PNRM (National Military Research Plan). Different solutions are envisaged, and a hybrid version of the VMB 30 NG can be foreseen in the future.
How will the Italian Army deal with two generations of Freccia in service? First, let us consider numbers; the original requirement was for a total of 630 vehicles, counting all versions. According to Army sources 330 Freccia have been delivered over the 360 on order, therefore we are roughly halfway through the programme. The recent order for 76 VBM 30 NG brings the total to 436. The Italian Army order of battle currently includes two Medium Brigades, the “Pinerolo” and the “Aosta”, one based in southern Italy and the second in Sicily. Each of them has three infantry regiments equipped with the Freccia, Combat Support units being also meant to receive specialised versions of the 8×8 vehicle produced by the CIO. They also deploy one Cavalry regiment; this will field one squadron equipped with the Centauro II, while it was recently decided to add one squadron equipped with the Freccia, no details being provided on which type and generation of vehicle will be assigned to those units. Although initially the service will have to cope with vehicles armed with two different calibres, the end-state should see all combat vehicles fitted with the 30 mm cannon, legacy chassis possibly being converted in other configurations. What was made clear is that all Freccia assigned to both Cavalry and Engineer units will be fitted with a UAS system capable to stretch the reconnaissance range of the vehicles, the Army being acquiring 60 UAS of undisclosed type, quite probably of the VTOL type. The CIO underlines that logistic commonality between the original and the new generation VBM/Freccia remains very high.
The three prototypes of the Freccia (two Freccia Plus and one VBM 30 NG) should be available by late 2027, while deliveries should start one year later, following the vehicle qualification.
Images courtesy CIO, Leonardo, Rafael, P. Valpolini
[1] For the VBM in the Combat version the MLU mainly concerned the engine, a new fire and explosion protection system, the electrical system, the suspension and wheel system, the firing system, the replacement of the SICCONA with the C2D/N EVO, and the CIS system with the SDR VQ1 four-channel radio. The same upgrade of the SICCONA system and the CIS component also concerned the VBM in the Mortar Carrier and Command Post versions, which were to be equipped with a Satellite On the Move (SOTM) communication channel in Ka band, replacing the X band SATCOM system previously installed.