Eurosatory 2018 (Paris, 11-15 June 2018) gives the Iveco-Oto Melara Consortium (CIO) the opportunity to display the latest and most innovative achievement in the field of armored vehicles.

CIO is showing in Paris its newly developed Centauro II, the latest evolution of the Centauro Family. The Centauro having been the first 8x8 wheeled antitank vehicle in the world with a high-pressure gun. The Centauro II represents the logical evolution, being armed with a third generation 120/45 mm gun, with integrated muzzle brake and semi-automatic loading system.

The weapon system provides a fire power equivalent to that of most modern main battle tanks, and is capable of firing all latest generation 120 mm, NATO APFSDS and multi-role MP munitions.

To ensure unequalled mobility a new-generation engine, upgraded transmission, braking system and control electronics have been adopted. While maintaining the H-drive architecture, the Centauro family hallmark, the chassis was rearranged to further improve protection against mines and IEDs, state-of-the art add-on ballistic packages fitted to the hull ensuring high level protection against kinetic energy and hollow charge projectiles. The same applies to the turret, which also follows the add-on armor kit concept. Ammunition stored in the hull and in the turret are hosted in compartments separated from the crew section by explosion-proof doors, pre-carved panels and dedicated anti-explosion systems ensuring further crew safety.

The Centauro II turret is fitted with latest generation optronics for the commander and gunner and with a suite of communications and command and control systems ensuring maximum situational awareness. The turret can be fitted with a Hitrole Light RCWS, that increases flexibility in other-than-war scenarios while ensuring maximum crew protection.

Centauro II Powerpack 8V Main features and validation tests include:

• 8V
• Dedicated design for military application
• NATO test
• Maximum Power 720 KW
• Maximum torque, 2600 Nm, from 1100 rpm
• Euro III homologation
• Software and dataset development for military requirements
• Cold start until -32°C
• Tilting test for 60% slope in forward & rear side and 30% slope in lateral side 
• Able to use F34 and F35 fuel

The Iveco-Oto Melara Consortium, CIO in short, was established in 1985 on equal participation between Iveco Defence Vehicles and former Oto Melara, which is now Leonardo.

Within the Consortium, Iveco Defence Vehicles is responsible for engines, gears and all the automotive components, the hull and the final integration of wheeled armored vehicles while Leonardo is responsible for weapon systems, sight and fire control systems and the hull and the final integration of tracked armored vehicles. Both companies have excellent skills in the field of protection against direct fire, mines and IEDs.