When the wheeled assault gun meets Greek mythology,

When the wheeled assault gun meets Greek mythology,

It is the practice of many countries to name weapons and equipment after mythical figures, such as Russian Poseidon nuclear-powered unmanned underwater vehicle and S-500 Prometheus air defense missile system.

Some weapons and equipment named after constellations are also closely related to some fairy tales. Against the background of culture, the functional characteristics of weapons and equipment are more prominent. Italy's "Centauri" wheeled assault gun is a representative of this.

Centauri and Sagittarius are both constellation names. Its name comes from the characters in Greek mythology-the upper body is the head and trunk of a person, and the lower body, including the waist and limbs, is the body of a horse.

To some extent, the wheeled assault gun named after "Centauri" is the crowning touch of Italian developers.

The "Centauri" part in the image of "Centauri" represents strength, durability and flexibility in mythology, which is also the outstanding feature of the Italian "Centauri" wheeled assault gun. The original intention of the research and development of wheeled assault guns is that the Italian army found in actual combat that it needs an armored vehicle that can perform rapid reconnaissance, mobile combat missions, and even have the firepower of the main battle tank.

199 1 year, with the joint efforts of Italian Iveco Fiat and Otto Melella, the first Sagittarius wheeled assault gun was completed.

In the subsequent test and actual deployment, the assault gun showed good long-range maneuverability, off-road capability and attack capability with its powerful engine, well-designed transmission device and wheel elastic support structure.

In this process, the Centauri wheeled assault gun evolved into a series of models such as Centauri chassis rescue vehicle, arrow infantry fighting vehicle and VBC series vehicle according to the needs. Due to different functions, the width and on-board equipment of these models have been adjusted accordingly, but there is little difference in maneuverability and off-road ability. The maximum speed of Sagittarius wheeled assault gun exceeds100 km/h.

On 20 16 European Satolli defense exhibition, "MGSⅱ Centauri" appeared. Unlike the Centauri wheeled assault gun, the Centauri uses uses a more powerful engine, and the tire position protrudes outward to a greater extent. With the help of digital tire pressure control system, leak-proof system and new suspension system, this type of assault gun still maintains quite high maneuverability and off-road ability under the condition of increasing weight.

The title of "wheeled tank" existed when the "Centauri" wheeled assault gun was born. What really deserves this title is the "Centauri II" wheeled assault gun.

Although "Centauri II" uses the chassis of the "Arrow" infantry fighting vehicle, its fire target is the third-generation main battle tank.

The "Centauri II" wheeled assault gun was replaced by a 105 mm caliber gun, which has a high bore pressure of 120 mm and can fire most of the new NATO 120 mm artillery shells, including armor-piercing projectiles and multi-purpose projectiles with stable tails. The ability to penetrate 600 mm homogeneous steel armor at a distance of 3000 meters makes its firepower equal to that of most modern main battle tanks.

The improved "ⅱMGS Centauri" can launch more new shells of advanced main battle tanks.

Side-by-side machine guns, overhead machine guns, Grenade launchers and remote weapon stations with different weapons can make their attack capability more comprehensive.

"Centaur" in the image of "Centaur" represents wisdom, agility and flexibility in myth, which is in line with another feature of "Centaur" series wheeled assault guns: strong ability to deal with emergencies.

When the "Centauri" wheeled assault gun project was established, there was a clear requirement-equipped with a computerized fire control system. Embodied in "Centauri Ⅱ ⅱMGS", it has stronger digital command ability. Perception system consisting of rangefinder, the third generation infrared camera, panoramic day/night vision device, radar, etc.

Multifunctional command, control, communication and information systems are all integrated in the "Centauri ⅱMGS" wheeled assault gun to varying degrees, which makes its "eyes" sharper and more sensitive. In the "centaur" artwork originated from myth, there is also the image of holding a shield. Specific to the "Centauri" series wheeled assault guns, protection is its consistent requirement. This can be seen in this Centauri.

The turret of "MGSⅱ Centauri" was replaced by wedge armor, and the turret and the driver had independent protective devices, and the driver had an emergency exit. The main armor is changed to the configuration of aluminum alloy outer composite armor and steel armor to reduce weight and improve protection.

On the basis of reducing the number of passengers, a new generation of energy-absorbing seats and pedals are installed in the car, and the chassis can resist the attacks of mines and improvised explosive devices to a certain extent. The storage basket made of perforated steel plate is helpful to improve the bulletproof ability of turret tail.