C1 Ariete

Talking about the history of the Italian Tank Corps, we had left a scenario which, between 1940 and 1945, due to the dramatic problems imposed to the Italian war industry by the lack of raw materials and by the destruction of the most important plants and factories, couldn't be regarded as an encouraging one.
The Italian carri armati where, in fact, either tankettes, like the CV 33/35, or medium tanks with modest armour protection and poor fire power, like the M-serie tanks (M11/39, M13/40, M14/41, and M15/42).

Now, fifty five years after the Battle of El Alamein, Italy has turned page !

In February 1997 some units of the Italian Army have received the first Ariete 1 tanks, the new "all Italian" second generation MBT, designed and manufactured by the Iveco Fiat and OTO Melara consortium, which will replace, within a couple of years, the older Leopard 1A2 as standard armored fighting vehicle of the Italian Army.

Main gun is a 120-mm smooth-bore gun, 44 caliber long, fitted with a thermal sleeve, fume extractor and muzzle reference system, stabilized on both axes by electrohydraulic servos.
Fire control system includes self-stabilized day/night sights for commander and gunner. The system permits to fire by day and night against stationary or moving target with own vehicle moving or stationary.
The gun can fire all available ammunition both of chemical and kinetic energy penetration type.
Secondary armament comprises two MG 42/59 - 7.62 mm.(one coaxial to main gun, the other on the turret roof for local and air defense) and a 8-barrels Galix 80 mm.grenade launcher. The grenade launcher can fire a variery of ammunition (ECL illuminating ammo, FUM smoke-producing grenades, LACRY anti riots tear gas bombs, AP-DR shrapnel, AP-TCP antipersonnel flash-bang bombs, and LEUR IR myssile attack countermeasure).
Both main gun and grenade launcher are interfaced with a Marconi Laser Warning System capable of detecting both laser beams emission on a 360 degree horizontal plan and nature of attack (other tanks, guns, air-ground missiles, air bombs, etc.)

Crew's personal armament, in addition to hand grenades and anti-aircraft MG, includes Franchi LF 57 9 mm. Parabellum sub-machine guns.

Engine is a new Fiat V-12 MTCA turbo-charged, intercooled, 12-cylinder diesel unit developing 1,275 hp, directly coupled to a fully automated transmission. Mufflers are located in the hull rear.

Steer/shift transmission is a ZF LSG3000 hydro-mechanical shift reversing steering gear with built-in retarder, 4 forward and 2 reverse speeds, allowing 3 ranges of steering radii and pivot.

Suspensions and track system is of the torsion bar type with seven dual rubber-tyred road wheels and four track-support rollers on each side. The track is of the rubber-bushed connector type with the individual track shoes joint by end connectors and center guiding teeth

Driver's seat has an hydraulic lifting system for both open or closed door driving, 3 sights, one cloche-type steering unit, two brake control leverages, and gears selector. In case of emergency an escape doortrap is available at the bottom of the hull; this can be accessed by the other crew members by 180 degree turret revolving.

Fire detection/suppression system, as well as an NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) system can operate both in standard or forced ventilation condition .

Combat weight : 54.0 ton
Power-to-weight ratio : 24.7 hp/t
Ground clearance : 0.44 mt
Maximum road speed : 65 km/hr
Sprint : from 0 to 32 km/hr in 6 sec
Range : 550 km
Vertical obstacle : 2.1 mt
Trench crossing : 3.0 mt
Fording : 1.2 mt

Acknowledgement : I wish to thank G. Cozzani for his invaluable help. Without his cooperation this page couldn't be on the Web !!

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