This beast is real. The Italians are crazy!

via Defesa

Finmeccanica´s Oto Melara SpA  has recently showed a brand new VBM Centauro (Veicolo Blindato Medio) 8×8 armoured vehicle modified as a 155mm self-propelled artillery system.

The weapon system comprises a 155mm/39 turreted gun installed in a VBM Centauro 8×8 wheeled armoured high mobility chassis. The protected turret has a stealth design and is fitted with eight grenade dischargers, a digitized suite, a powerful elevation system, an automatic loading system for ammunition and propelling charges and can be equipped with a remote controlled weapon station like the Oto Melara SpA HITROLE lightweight and stealth system which is armed with a 12.7mm heavy machine gun. It can fire the Vulcano family of guided ammunitions and as well as standard NATO shells. It requires less than three minutes to be deployed ready for fire and one minute to abandon the scene after the action.

VBM is the chassis for different specialized vehicles including Freccia infantry fighting vehicle of the Italian Army, VBM Centauro reconnaissance and fire support vehicle in service with the armies of Italy, Spain and Oman which feature the HITFACT turret armed with 105mm/52 or 120mm/45 guns, VBM Explorer which feature a HITFIST turret armed with a 25mm gun and two twin launchers for Horus mini-unmanned air systems, VBM Draco equipped with a 76mm turreted gun, and, VBM Recovery combat armoured recovery vehicle of which Spain has procured four units and a the chassis for the artillery system.

The company also has developed a Dardo tracked infantry fighting vehicle configured as a mobile mortar carrier. The vehicle is equipped with the 120mm 2R2M mortar system from TDA Armements.

I've seen some "interesting" concepts out of the Germans (Donar) and some pretty innovative ones too (Wiesel 120mm mortar carrier) but this design is on a whole new level.

One thing appears certain though.  The Italians are making a run at the traditional powerhouses..BAE, General Dynamics, KMW and Rheinmetall and challenging some of the up and comers like Lockheed Martin.

The armored vehicle market looks to be in the middle of some type of renaissance.