Difference between revisions of "VCC-80/30"
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The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Italian light tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Ground Breaking"]]. | The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Italian light tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Ground Breaking"]]. | ||
| − | + | The VCC-80/30 is one of the prototypes created during development of the Italian [[Dardo]] IFV, featuring a 30 mm quick firing Bushmaster II gun and a commander's sight. | |
== General info == | == General info == | ||
| Line 14: | Line 14: | ||
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}} | {{Specs-Tank-Armour}} | ||
<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' --> | <!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' --> | ||
| − | |||
| − | The survival of the | + | The survival of the VCC-80/30 is characterized by good armour and crew. The armour is made of rolled homogeneous armour and aluminum that make up an effective armour of 77 mm at the top of the hull, while at the bottom, the most vulnerable part, the armour amounts to 46 mm. This armour is very weak, it can barely defend against 20 mm shells. |
| − | Inside the | + | Inside the VCC-80/30 there are 3 crew members: the driver, the commander and the gunner. |
The engine is at the front of the vehicle and is separated from the driving area with a rolled homogeneous plate of 6 mm. This plate that separates the driver from the engine serves to increase the vehicle's resistance against shrapnel and fire. | The engine is at the front of the vehicle and is separated from the driving area with a rolled homogeneous plate of 6 mm. This plate that separates the driver from the engine serves to increase the vehicle's resistance against shrapnel and fire. | ||
| Line 27: | Line 26: | ||
* Aluminium alloy 5083 (Hull front, hull rear) | * Aluminium alloy 5083 (Hull front, hull rear) | ||
* Aluminium alloy 7039 (Turret, hull sides) | * Aluminium alloy 7039 (Turret, hull sides) | ||
| − | * Composite screen (Sideskirts) | + | * Composite screen (Sideskirts) |
| − | |||
| − | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
| Line 35: | Line 32: | ||
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof | ! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | Hull || 25 mm + 8 mm (78°) | + | | Hull || 25 mm + 8 mm (78°) ''Upper'' |
| − | 50 mm + 22 mm (38°) | + | 50 mm + 22 mm (38°) ''Lower'' |
| − | | 25 mm (33°) | + | | 25 mm (33°) ''Upper'' |
| − | 25 mm, 52 mm, 32 | + | 25 mm, 52 mm, 32 mm ''Lower'' |
| 38 mm (30°) || 25 mm | | 38 mm (30°) || 25 mm | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | Turret || 40 mm + 22 mm (18°) | + | | Turret || 40 mm + 22 mm (18°) ''Turret front'' |
| − | 40 mm + 6 mm (22°) | + | 40 mm + 6 mm (22°) ''Turret front sides'' |
| − | 25 mm + 25 | + | 25 mm + 25 mm ''Gun mantlet'' |
| − | | 40 mm (22-25°) || 40 mm (26°) || 40 mm (80°) | + | | 40 mm (22-25°) || 40 mm (26°) || 40 mm (80°) ''Front'' |
| − | 25 | + | 25 mm ''Rear'' |
|- | |- | ||
| Cupola || colspan="3" | 40 mm (cylindrical) || 25 mm | | Cupola || colspan="3" | 40 mm (cylindrical) || 25 mm | ||
| Line 204: | Line 201: | ||
==== [[Ammo racks]] ==== | ==== [[Ammo racks]] ==== | ||
<!-- [[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]] --> | <!-- [[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]] --> | ||
| − | <!-- '''Last updated:''' -->=== Machine guns === | + | <!-- '''Last updated:''' --> |
| + | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | ! Full<br>ammo | ||
| + | ! 1st<br>rack empty | ||
| + | ! 2nd<br>rack empty | ||
| + | ! 3rd<br>rack empty | ||
| + | ! 4th<br>rack empty | ||
| + | ! 5th<br>rack empty | ||
| + | ! 6th<br>rack empty | ||
| + | ! Visual<br>discrepancy | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | '''4''' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |} | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Machine guns === | ||
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|3}} | {{Specs-Tank-Weapon|3}} | ||
<!-- ''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.'' --> | <!-- ''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.'' --> | ||
| Line 225: | Line 238: | ||
=== Pros and cons === | === Pros and cons === | ||
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' --> | <!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' --> | ||
| − | |||
'''Pros:''' | '''Pros:''' | ||
| Line 253: | Line 265: | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' --> | <!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' --> | ||
| − | |||
| − | After the VCC-80 'Dardo' program was finalized, OTO Melara had | + | After the [[Dardo|VCC-80 'Dardo' program]] was finalized, OTO Melara also had many plans to export the machine, or parts of the machine, to foreign countries who might've been interested in acquiring Italian technology. The standard version of the VCC-80 'Dardo' IFV would itself be armed with a 25 mm Oerlikon autocannon, which would be installed onto the OTO TC-25 Hitfist turret, however during the '90s OTO had designed an upgrade kit for the TC-25 Hitfist turrets, which were primarily made as optional armament available for anyone interested in up-gunning the IFV from a 25 mm Oerlikon to a 30 mm Bushmaster. |
| + | |||
| + | This version of the TC-25 Hitfist turret would be mainly seen in military arms exhibitions, but for testing reasons, this up-gunned version of the turret would also be tested on the VCC-80 'Dardo' IFV. Not much is known in regards to the tests, however it is safe to assume that the Italian army at the time was not interested. | ||
| − | + | The upgraded TC-25 Hitfist was armed with a stabilised dual-fed 30 mm Bushmaster II which could fire a variety of munitions, including 30 mm APFSDS. In addition, it had access to a 7.62 mm MG with 700 rounds, and 2 TOW ATGM launchers, which were able to fire ITOW, TOW-2, TOW-2A, and TOW-2B. In terms of FCS, it utilised the same Kollsman Day/Night sight already present of the production batches of the Dardo IFV, more interestingly tests conducted on the up-gunned Dardo also showed that despite the new caliber, a commander sight was still always available. Lastly, if there was a need to disengage from a firefight, 8 x 80 mm smoke launchers were still available. Overall this would've been a great potential upgrade which could be easily done for the Dardo, however since the Italian army had no interest it was never done in a high amount. Instead, nearly 20 years later, OTO Melara would showcase a new upgrade for the Dardo which would use a 30 mm autocannon, but instead of the TC-25 Hitfist turret it would be presented on the 30 mm OWS turret. | |
| − | During the development of the Dardo IFV, several variants of chassis and turrets with different guns took part in the competition. The prototype VCC-80 with a HITFIST turret is slightly higher than Dardo, and designed to mount the American 30mm Bushmaster II cannon. Despite the more advanced fire control system and an additional electro-optical periscope for the commander, the military preferred a more compact version of the turret with a 25mm gun, the HITFIST turret later used for a prototype infantry fire support vehicle and escorting motorized columns with a 60mm gun. The VCC-80/30 is another variant of one of the best infantry fighting vehicles in War Thunder, the Italian Dardo. Despite the similarity of these machines, the VCC-80/30 - although it is only a prototype of the Dardo - surpasses its serial brother in some aspects. The main difference between the machines is the turret and the gun. The prototype has a HITFIST 30 turret, which houses a 30mm Bushmaster II cannon, which is more powerful than the first version already familiar to you from the Bradley, but with about the same rate of fire. | + | OTO would continue to showcase and hopefully sell the TC-25 Hitfist turret up to the early 2000s. The modified turret would generate some interest in the UK, specifically with the Alvis Stormer 30, which started as a private venture. The reasoning was mainly so the new vehicle could meet potential user requirements for a high-mobility air-portable armoured reconnaissance vehicle. The development of the Stormer 30 started in 1995, with the first prototype completed in the year 1997. Sadly, Alvis didn't manage to generate any interest with the Stormer 30 so OTO Melara was once again without a potential customer for one of their items. |
| + | |||
| + | === [[wt:en/news/7371-development-vcc-80-30-dardo-s-elder-brother-en|Devblog]] === | ||
| + | |||
| + | During the development of the Dardo IFV, several variants of chassis and turrets with different guns took part in the competition. The prototype VCC-80 with a HITFIST turret is slightly higher than Dardo, and designed to mount the American 30mm Bushmaster II cannon. Despite the more advanced fire control system and an additional electro-optical periscope for the commander, the military preferred a more compact version of the turret with a 25mm gun, the HITFIST turret later used for a prototype infantry fire support vehicle and escorting motorized columns with a 60mm gun. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The VCC-80/30 is another variant of one of the best infantry fighting vehicles in War Thunder, the Italian Dardo. Despite the similarity of these machines, the VCC-80/30 - although it is only a prototype of the Dardo - surpasses its serial brother in some aspects. The main difference between the machines is the turret and the gun. The prototype has a HITFIST 30 turret, which houses a 30mm Bushmaster II cannon, which is more powerful than the first version already familiar to you from the Bradley, but with about the same rate of fire. | ||
Just like the Dardo, it has ATGM launchers for the TOW-2, the tandem-warhead TOW-2A, and TOW-2B, that hit the enemy from above. The up-to-date fire control system includes sights with NVD (and thermal imaging for the gunner), it also includes a laser rangefinder, and an effective two-axis stabilizer. An additional periscope commander's sight is installed on the tower. | Just like the Dardo, it has ATGM launchers for the TOW-2, the tandem-warhead TOW-2A, and TOW-2B, that hit the enemy from above. The up-to-date fire control system includes sights with NVD (and thermal imaging for the gunner), it also includes a laser rangefinder, and an effective two-axis stabilizer. An additional periscope commander's sight is installed on the tower. | ||
| Line 266: | Line 285: | ||
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' --> | <!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' --> | ||
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' | ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
Revision as of 13:29, 4 December 2021
Contents
Description
The VCC-80 (HITFIST 30) is a rank VII Italian light tank with a battle rating of 10.0 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update "Ground Breaking".
The VCC-80/30 is one of the prototypes created during development of the Italian Dardo IFV, featuring a 30 mm quick firing Bushmaster II gun and a commander's sight.
General info
Survivability and armour
Smoke grenades
Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle
LWS
Notifies about the vehicle's exposure to laser emissions
Armourfront / side / back
Hull72 / 52 / 38
Turret40 / 40 / 40
Crew3 people
Visibility88 %
The survival of the VCC-80/30 is characterized by good armour and crew. The armour is made of rolled homogeneous armour and aluminum that make up an effective armour of 77 mm at the top of the hull, while at the bottom, the most vulnerable part, the armour amounts to 46 mm. This armour is very weak, it can barely defend against 20 mm shells.
Inside the VCC-80/30 there are 3 crew members: the driver, the commander and the gunner.
The engine is at the front of the vehicle and is separated from the driving area with a rolled homogeneous plate of 6 mm. This plate that separates the driver from the engine serves to increase the vehicle's resistance against shrapnel and fire.
Armour type:
- Rolled homogeneous armour
- Aluminium alloy 5083 (Hull front, hull rear)
- Aluminium alloy 7039 (Turret, hull sides)
- Composite screen (Sideskirts)
| Armour | Front (Slope angle) | Sides | Rear | Roof |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hull | 25 mm + 8 mm (78°) Upper
50 mm + 22 mm (38°) Lower |
25 mm (33°) Upper
25 mm, 52 mm, 32 mm Lower |
38 mm (30°) | 25 mm |
| Turret | 40 mm + 22 mm (18°) Turret front
40 mm + 6 mm (22°) Turret front sides 25 mm + 25 mm Gun mantlet |
40 mm (22-25°) | 40 mm (26°) | 40 mm (80°) Front
25 mm Rear |
| Cupola | 40 mm (cylindrical) | 25 mm | ||
Notes:
Mobility
Speedforward / back
AB78 / 36 km/h
RB and SB70 / 32 km/h
Number of gears8 forward
4 back
Weight23.5 t
Engine power
AB992 hp
RB and SB520 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB42.2 hp/t
RB and SB22.1 hp/t
| Game Mode | Max Speed (km/h) | Weight (tons) | Engine power (horsepower) | Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward | Reverse | Stock | Upgraded | Stock | Upgraded | ||
| Arcade | 78 | 36 | 23.5 | 806 | 992 | 34.3 | 42.21 |
| Realistic | 70 | 32 | 460 | 520 | 19.57 | 22.13 | |
Modifications and economy
Repair costBasic → Reference
AB3 552 → 5 946 
RB3 387 → 5 669
SB4 525 → 7 574
Total cost of modifications249 800 
409 000
Talisman cost2 900 
Crew training240 000
Experts830 000
Aces2 100
Research Aces1 140 000
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
140 / 180 / 230 %
238 / 238 / 238 %
| Mobility | Protection | Firepower | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Armaments
Laser rangefinder
Reduces the error and increases the maximum measurable distance of the rangefinder
Night vision device
Improves visibility by enhancing natural light or active illumination.
Thermal imager
Allows to see thermal radiation in the infrared range day and night
Main armament
30 mm Bushmaster 2 Mk.44 cannon
Two-plane stabilizer
Reduces the swing of the gun in two planes while moving
Ammunition360 rounds
Belt capacity90 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
13.0 → 10.0 s
Fire rate201 shots/min
Vertical guidance-10° / 60°
| 30 mm Bushmaster 2 Mk.44 | Turret rotation speed (°/s) | Reloading rate (seconds) | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mode | Capacity (Belt) | Fire rate | Vertical | Horizontal | Stabilizer | Stock | Upgraded | Full | Expert | Aced | Stock | Full | Expert | Aced |
| Arcade | 360 (90) | 200 | -10°/+60° | ±180° | Two-plane | 54.5 | 75.5 | 91.7 | 101.4 | 107.9 | 13.00 | 11.50 | 10.60 | 10.00 |
| Realistic | 34.1 | 40.1 | 48.7 | 53.9 | 57.3 | |||||||||
Ammunition
- Default: APDS · HEI-T* · HEI-T*
- MK266: HEI-T*
- MK258: APFSDS
| Penetration statistics | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belt | Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm) | |||||
| 10 m | 100 m | 500 m | 1,000 m | 1,500 m | 2,000 m | |
| Default | 87 | 86 | 81 | 75 | 70 | 65 |
| MK266 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| MK258 | 116 | 115 | 110 | 104 | 99 | 93 |
| Belt details | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belt | Type of warhead |
Velocity (m/s) |
Projectile Mass (kg) |
Fuse delay (m) |
Fuse sensitivity (mm) |
Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g) |
Ricochet | ||
| 0% | 50% | 100% | |||||||
| MK266 | HEI-T* | 1,080 | 0.36 | 0 | 0.1 | 54.4 | 79° | 80° | 81° |
| MK258 | APFSDS | 1,430 | 0.1 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 78° | 80° | 81° |
Ammo racks
| Full ammo |
1st rack empty |
2nd rack empty |
3rd rack empty |
4th rack empty |
5th rack empty |
6th rack empty |
Visual discrepancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 (+1) | 2 (+2) | 1 (+3) | N/A | N/A | N/A | No |
Additional armament
Ammunition8 rounds
Belt capacity2 rounds
Fire rate120 shots/min
Vertical guidance-6° / 30°
Fire on the moveup to 5 km/h
| BGM-71 TOW missile | Reloading rate (seconds) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity (Belt) | Vertical | Horizontal | Stabilizer | Stock | Full | Expert | Aced |
| 8 (2) | -6°/+30° | N/A | N/A | 13.0 | 11.5 | 10.6 | 10.0 |
Ammunition
| Penetration statistics | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammunition | Type of warhead |
Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm) | |||||
| 10 m | 100 m | 500 m | 1,000 m | 1,500 m | 2,000 m | ||
| TOW-2 | ATGM | 800 | 800 | 800 | 800 | 800 | 800 |
| TOW-2A | ATGM (tandem) | 800 | 800 | 800 | 800 | 800 | 800 |
| TOW-2B | ATGM | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Shell details | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammunition | Type of warhead |
Velocity (m/s) |
Range (m) |
Projectile Mass (kg) |
Fuse delay (m) |
Fuse sensitivity (mm) |
Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g) |
Ricochet | ||
| 0% | 50% | 100% | ||||||||
| TOW-2 | ATGM | 329 | 3,750 | 21.45 | 0.05 | 0.1 | 4,100 | 80° | 82° | 90° |
| TOW-2A | ATGM (tandem) | 329 | 3,750 | 22.63 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 4,190 | 80° | 82° | 90° |
| TOW-2B | ATGM | 309 | 3,750 | 22.59 | 0.05 | 0.1 | 3,140 | 80° | 82° | 90° |
Ammo racks
| Full ammo |
1st rack empty |
2nd rack empty |
3rd rack empty |
4th rack empty |
5th rack empty |
6th rack empty |
Visual discrepancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | __ (+__) | __ (+__) | __ (+__) | __ (+__) | __ (+__) | __ (+__) | __ |
Machine guns
7.62 mm Beretta MG42/59 machine gun (coaxial)
Ammunition1 200 rounds
Belt capacity200 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate801 shots/min
| 7.62 mm Beretta MG42/59 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount | Capacity (Belt) | Fire rate | Vertical | Horizontal |
| Coaxial | 1,200 (200) | 1,200 | N/A | N/A |
Usage in battles
Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Fantastic mobility
- High speed, both forwards (70 km/h) and in reverse (34 km/h)
- Responsive neutral steering
- Eager to accelerate both forwards and in reverse
- Uses the 30 mm Bushmaster II instead of the 25 mm Oerlikon - increased APFSDS penetration
- Access to a full APFSDS belt
- Various missiles at your disposal - standard TOW-2s, tandem-charge TOW-2As and the infamous top-attack TOW-2Bs
- Great zoom and wide FOV in the gunner's and commander's sight
- High gun elevation - capable of engaging helicopters and other aircraft
- Capable of firing 2 missiles without having to wait for the launchers to elevate
- Low profile, unlike its American and Swedish contemporary, the M3A3 Bradley and Strf 9040 BILL
- Very fast turret rotation
Cons:
- Much slower rate of fire (200 rpm) than the 25 mm Oerlikon found on the Dardo
- Weak armour, as is expected from an IFV
- Stock belts consists of one single APDS shot, this, combined with the slow rate of fire, can land you in serious trouble when engaging enemy vehicles
- Cramped turret with only 2 crew members - hits on the turret are usually fatal
- Cannot fire missiles on the move, unlike the Russian BMP-2M
- Tendency to oversteer at high speeds
History
After the VCC-80 'Dardo' program was finalized, OTO Melara also had many plans to export the machine, or parts of the machine, to foreign countries who might've been interested in acquiring Italian technology. The standard version of the VCC-80 'Dardo' IFV would itself be armed with a 25 mm Oerlikon autocannon, which would be installed onto the OTO TC-25 Hitfist turret, however during the '90s OTO had designed an upgrade kit for the TC-25 Hitfist turrets, which were primarily made as optional armament available for anyone interested in up-gunning the IFV from a 25 mm Oerlikon to a 30 mm Bushmaster.
This version of the TC-25 Hitfist turret would be mainly seen in military arms exhibitions, but for testing reasons, this up-gunned version of the turret would also be tested on the VCC-80 'Dardo' IFV. Not much is known in regards to the tests, however it is safe to assume that the Italian army at the time was not interested.
The upgraded TC-25 Hitfist was armed with a stabilised dual-fed 30 mm Bushmaster II which could fire a variety of munitions, including 30 mm APFSDS. In addition, it had access to a 7.62 mm MG with 700 rounds, and 2 TOW ATGM launchers, which were able to fire ITOW, TOW-2, TOW-2A, and TOW-2B. In terms of FCS, it utilised the same Kollsman Day/Night sight already present of the production batches of the Dardo IFV, more interestingly tests conducted on the up-gunned Dardo also showed that despite the new caliber, a commander sight was still always available. Lastly, if there was a need to disengage from a firefight, 8 x 80 mm smoke launchers were still available. Overall this would've been a great potential upgrade which could be easily done for the Dardo, however since the Italian army had no interest it was never done in a high amount. Instead, nearly 20 years later, OTO Melara would showcase a new upgrade for the Dardo which would use a 30 mm autocannon, but instead of the TC-25 Hitfist turret it would be presented on the 30 mm OWS turret.
OTO would continue to showcase and hopefully sell the TC-25 Hitfist turret up to the early 2000s. The modified turret would generate some interest in the UK, specifically with the Alvis Stormer 30, which started as a private venture. The reasoning was mainly so the new vehicle could meet potential user requirements for a high-mobility air-portable armoured reconnaissance vehicle. The development of the Stormer 30 started in 1995, with the first prototype completed in the year 1997. Sadly, Alvis didn't manage to generate any interest with the Stormer 30 so OTO Melara was once again without a potential customer for one of their items.
Devblog
During the development of the Dardo IFV, several variants of chassis and turrets with different guns took part in the competition. The prototype VCC-80 with a HITFIST turret is slightly higher than Dardo, and designed to mount the American 30mm Bushmaster II cannon. Despite the more advanced fire control system and an additional electro-optical periscope for the commander, the military preferred a more compact version of the turret with a 25mm gun, the HITFIST turret later used for a prototype infantry fire support vehicle and escorting motorized columns with a 60mm gun.
The VCC-80/30 is another variant of one of the best infantry fighting vehicles in War Thunder, the Italian Dardo. Despite the similarity of these machines, the VCC-80/30 - although it is only a prototype of the Dardo - surpasses its serial brother in some aspects. The main difference between the machines is the turret and the gun. The prototype has a HITFIST 30 turret, which houses a 30mm Bushmaster II cannon, which is more powerful than the first version already familiar to you from the Bradley, but with about the same rate of fire.
Just like the Dardo, it has ATGM launchers for the TOW-2, the tandem-warhead TOW-2A, and TOW-2B, that hit the enemy from above. The up-to-date fire control system includes sights with NVD (and thermal imaging for the gunner), it also includes a laser rangefinder, and an effective two-axis stabilizer. An additional periscope commander's sight is installed on the tower.
Media
Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.
See also
Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:
- reference to the series of the vehicles;
- links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.
External links
| OTO Melara | |
|---|---|
| Light Tanks/IFVs | |
| Centauro | Centauro I 105 · Centauro I 105 R · Centauro I 120 · VRCC |
| Dardo | Dardo · VCC-80/30 · VCC-80/60 |
| Other | C13 T90 · R3 T106 FA |
| MBTs | |
| OF-40 | OF-40 · OF-40 Mk.2A · OF-40 (MTCA) |
| Ariete | Ariete (P) · Ariete · Ariete PSO · Ariete AMV |
| Other | M47 (105/55) |
| Tank Destroyers | M113A1 (TOW) |
| SPAA | R3 T20 FA-HS · SIDAM 25 · SIDAM 25 (Mistral) · OTOMATIC |
| Patrol Boats | |
| Sparviero-class | Sparviero* |
| See Also | OTO |
| *Built by OTO Melara in La Spezia under the Alinavi S.p.A. consortium | |
| Italy light tanks | |
|---|---|
| Italy | |
| L6/40 | L6/40 · L6/40 (31 Rgt.) |
| M11/39 | M11/39 |
| Autoblindo | AB 41 · AB 43 |
| Fiat 6614/6616 | FIAT 6614 · AUBL/74 · AUBL/74 HVG |
| R3 Capraia | R3 T106 FA |
| Centauro | Centauro I 105 · Centauro I 105 R · Centauro I 120 · Centauro RGO · VRCC |
| Freccia | VBC (PT2) · Freccia |
| Dardo | Dardo · VCC-80/60 · VCC-80/30 |
| Other | C13 T90 |
| USA | ▄M3A3 · ▄M24 · ▄M18 |
| Hungary | |
| WWII | Csaba · Toldi IIA |
| Post | ◔BTR-80A · KF41 |
