VCC-80/30
| This page is about the Italian light tank VCC-80/30. For other versions, see VCC-80 Dardo (Family). |
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. These features optimize the tank performance for medium to long range combat, while close range combat becomes risky.
General info
Survivability and armour
The survival of the VCC-80/30 is characterized by its thin armour. 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.
As with Dardo, inside the VCC-80/30 there are 3 crew members: the driver, the commander and the gunner, and it's easy to lose both turret crew members if the tank was penetrated. The dual ammunition belt is also present to their side, and it explodes if hit.
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.
It's extremely important to note, that this tank has a commander scope, which allows it to attack while only exposing the sight. Therefore, as long as the commander is alive, the tank is much better protected as it is able to exploit terrain features. Being hit into the scope may disable the commander or cause fatal overpressure damage, depending on what hits the scope, but it is very difficult even with arcade aim assist. The scope is so important, that it makes using "crew replenishment" to recover the commander a viable strategic choice in AB, rather than keeping it to survive a direct hit once.
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
| 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
| Mobility | Protection | Firepower | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Armaments
Main armament
The gun on this tank is a Bushmaster 30 mm autocannon. It is fairly commonly seen on German tank Vilkas at the rank (as well as many other light tanks of a lower BR) and it's main selling point is increased penetration value over the 20-25 mm cannons.
Its downsides are a relatively low rate of fire and objective randomness of damage at close range, which combined with poor armour makes the VCC weaker than other light tanks at close range. At ranges of 500 and 1000 m the gun becomes significantly more efficient than its peers and overall less random.
At ranges of 1300+ m it becomes possible to fire APFSDS over a shallow hill into enemy tanks and it is very difficult, if not impossible, to counter for those who only bring APFSDS as ammunition, allowing the user to spare precious ATGMs and snipe travelling tanks with the gun instead.
| 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
- MK266: HEI-T*
- MK258: APFSDS
| Penetration statistics | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammunition | Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm) | ||||||
| 10 m | 100 m | 500 m | 1,000 m | 1,500 m | 2,000 m | ||
| APDS | 87 | 86 | 81 | 75 | 70 | 65 | |
| HEI-T | 9 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 3 | |
| APFSDS | 116 | 115 | 110 | 104 | 99 | 93 | |
| Shell details | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammunition | Velocity (m/s) |
Projectile mass (kg) |
Fuse delay (m) |
Fuse sensitivity (mm) |
Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (g) |
Ricochet | ||||||
| 0% | 50% | 100% | ||||||||||
| APDS | 1,480 | 0.19 | - | - | - | 75° | 78° | 80° | ||||
| HEI-T | 1,080 | 0.36 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 54.4 | 79° | 80° | 81° | ||||
| APFSDS | 1,430 | 0.1 | - | - | - | 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
This tank carries the same TOW-2 missiles as the Dardo, but the addition of commander sight adds some points to consider.
When using commander aim in commander sight, the missile LOS is calculated off the commander sight instead of a gun, so use it whenever possible to increase missile reach.
TOW-2 and TOW-2A are direct hit missiles by nature, and the launchers are located below the commander's sight, so when firing over a hill, inital launch should be pointed up into the sky to avoid wasting ammunition. Minimal range for indirect shot is about 500 m. TOW-2B may avoid the hill naturally, but when standing next to it, firing up initially is still recommended.
The tank has the maximum synergy with TOW-2B, as it becomes near impossible to remove it without having proximity shells or a top-down attack missile due to the small size of a commander scope, while it can scout and harass pretty much anything at any range as long as there is a hill or some sort of medium cover.
| 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 (OTA) | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Missile details | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammunition | Type of warhead |
Velocity (m/s) |
Range (m) |
Projectile mass (kg) |
Fuse delay (m) |
Fuse sensitivity (mm) |
Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (kg) |
Ricochet | ||||
| 0% | 50% | 100% | ||||||||||
| TOW-2 | ATGM | 329 | 3,750 | 21.45 | 0.05 | 0.1 | 4.41 | 80° | 82° | 90° | ||
| TOW-2A | ATGM (tandem) | 329 | 3,750 | 22.63 | 0.4 | 0.01 | 4.51 | 80° | 82° | 90° | ||
| Missile details | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammunition | Type of warhead |
Velocity (m/s) |
Range (m) |
Projectile mass (kg) |
Fuse delay (m) |
Fuse sensitivity (mm) |
Arming distance (m) |
Trigger radius (m) |
Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (kg) |
Ricochet | ||
| 0% | 50% | 100% | ||||||||||
| TOW-2B | ATGM (OTA) | 309 | 3,750 | 22.59 | 0.05 | 0.1 | 30 | 3 | 3.38 | 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 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount | Capacity (Belt) | Fire rate | Vertical | Horizontal |
| Coaxial | 1,200 (200) | 801 | N/A | N/A |
Usage in battles
The VCC-80/30 has a different style of gameplay from the Dardo IFV, instead it is very similar to the M3A3 Bradley or a classical sniper tank. Do not rush at capture points or enemies, because your main gun cannot damage enemy tanks as fast as with the previous Dardo. Instead, stalk around the points and hit tanks with missiles. It's best to stay hidden and therefore not fire as many shots, unless you managed to intercept a clueless tanker. Look for a way to get around them or attack them by surprise, because only one hit is enough to destroy you.
To avoid getting hit, use the commander scope. It's placed higher than any other part of the tank and is very small, so if you can only barely see enemy tanks with it, they probably can't hit you back. In terms of the mobility, the VCC-80/30 is almost equal to the Dardo IFV since the hull is the same, just slightly taller, so use it to move around the area and to throw enemy aim off even further when they are staring back at you.
In Arcade mode, if you somehow got hit and only lost one crew member, it is probably worth using crew replenishment manually to heal the commander, rather than giving up on the commander sight, even if the next hit will definitely destroy the tank. It is magnitudes harder to hit the commander scope of the VCC than the tank itself, and many tankers have to realize that it's an option to begin with, which usually occurs to them way too late.
The TOW launchers are equipped with TOW-2, TOW-2B (which can destroy camping sniper tanks), and also the TOW-2A ATGM with tandem warhead (to penetrate tanks that have ERA protection). Depending on enemy team composition and the BR, you can always bring at least some TOW-2B for the NATO tanks while the rest of the vehicle can hold the TOW-2A.
The TOW launchers can only be used when stationary, so the gun still must be used when suddenly attacked. APFSDS can cut into engine compartments at very shallow angles, so never surrender and always try to hit enemy hull side armour, sometimes miracles happen. Sometimes at a range of 500 m medium tanks may expose just enough of the tank hull to get destroyed by the gun barely hitting it, but this is difficult to gauge in RB. The gun is also useful for attacking less armoured light tanks or repositioning sniper tanks at very long ranges, and the enemy will have problems with responding back if you do not overextend.
Although the turret traverse is very fast, since the gun is rather slow firing, perhaps fighting an aircraft directly with it is a bad idea if your aim is not perfect. In such case, if you get a consistent laser lock on your tank, just drop smokes and run for your life instead of trying to find out what exactly is firing at you. Even if the enemy helicopter is rather close to you, it is not worth finding out what is stronger - their automatic grenade launcher and ATGMs or the Bushmaster. Once you got to cover and lost the lock you can try to reply.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Low profile, unlike its contemporary (like the M3A3 Bradley and Strf 9040 BILL)
- Extremely safe missile attack setup with commander sight controls unlike Dardo
- Fantastic mobility when compared to opposition
- Responsive neutral steering
- Eager to accelerate both forwards and in reverse
- Very fast turret rotation
- Uses the 30 mm Bushmaster II instead of the 25 mm Oerlikon - reliable APFSDS penetration against medium tank sides at long ranges
Cons:
- Much slower rate of fire (200 rpm) than the 25 mm Oerlikon found on the Dardo, so it has significantly worse time-to-kill at close ranges and against mobile aircraft
- If it loses terrain advantage and/or tank commander then it can't fight efficiently and arguably becomes a worse Dardo
- Cannot fire missiles on the move, unlike the Russian tanks or future tanks that are armed with the Spike missile
- Tendency to oversteer at high speeds
- Weak armour, can be taken out by other top-down ATGM carriers easily
- Cramped turret with only 2 crew members - any hits on the turret are usually fatal (shouldn't be a problem if player pays attention)
- Stock belt consists of one single APDS shot, this, combined with the slow rate of fire, can land you in serious trouble when engaging enemy vehicles
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 calibre, 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 30 mm 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 25 mm gun, the HITFIST turret later used for a prototype infantry fire support vehicle and escorting motorized columns with a 60 mm 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 30 mm 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
- Skins
- Images
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See also
- Related development
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 |
