| Dardo | |
|---|---|
| Type | Infantry fighting vehicle |
| Place of origin |  Italy |
| Service history | |
| Wars | Operation Iraqi Freedom, War in Afghanistan |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1998 |
| Produced | 1998-present |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 23.4 t |
| Length | 6.7 m |
| Width | 3.0 m |
| Height | 2.64 m |
| Crew | 3 (commander, gunner, driver) + 6 troops |
| | |
| Armor | modular Front armour against 25mm APDS |
| Main armament | 25mm Oerlikon KBA automatic cannon; 2x TOW Anti-Tank Missile launchers (optional) |
| Secondary armament | 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun; Smoke-grenade launchers |
| Engine | Iveco – Fiat 6V MTCA turbodiesel 512 hp (382.2 kW) |
| Power/weight | 24.5 hp/tonne |
| Suspension | hydropneumatic torsion bar |
| Operational range | 600 km |
| Speed | 70 km/h |
Dardo IFV Armament
The Dardo is primarily armed with the 25mm Oerlikon KBA automatic cannon firing 600 rounds per minute, with 200 rounds of ammunition stored in the turret ready to fire. Two 7.62mm NATO machine guns are also installed in the turret, one mounted coaxially 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 provides 360° field of vision. The cupola can be further fitted with a panoramic stabilised sight. Additionally, a laser range finder and a thermal imager is 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-LR anti tank missiles can be installed on both sides of the turret with a maximum range of 4km.
Dardo IFV Self protection
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 14.5 API projectiles. Four 80mm smoke grenade launchers, are installed on both sides of the turret, for a total of eight.
Dardo IFV Propulsion
The Dardo is powered by an Iveco V6 turbo-charged after-cooled diesel engine delivering 512 hp (382.2 kW). This drives a ZF-designed automatic transmission system which is manufactured under license by Iveco Fiat. The transmission system has four forward and two reverse gears, and incorporates the steering system and the hydraulic retarder.
The running gear consists 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.
Together, this allows the Dardo to achieve speeds in excess of 70 km/h, maneuver on gradients of more than 60% and ford waters up to a depth of 1.5 m.
