36 Italian Navy IDV amphibious armoured vehicles with Allison transmissions

The Italian Navy is preparing to strengthen its fleet with the acquisition of 36 amphibious armoured vehicles (VBA) supplied by IDV (Iveco Defence Vehicles). These latest generation 8×8 vehicles will be equipped with Allison fully automatic transmissions, which will guarantee reliability and advanced performance. This collaboration represents an important step to increase the operational capability of the Brigata Marina San Marco (BMSM) in the area of sea projection.

The contract between IDV and the Land Armaments Directorate for the supply of the amphibious armoured vehicles to the Italian Navy was signed on 22 December last year. These new vehicles represent a significant technological advancement and will benefit from the experience and know-how of Allison Transmission, a world leader in automatic transmissions.

The partnership between Allison Transmission and IDV has already resulted in advanced vehicles for the Spanish Army and the US Marines. Since 2018, more than 200 ACV 1.1 (Amphibious Combat Vehicle) amphibious vehicles have been delivered to the US Marines. These 8×8 vehicles are capable of tackling all types of terrain and can carry up to 13 marines. Based on the SUPERAV 8×8 amphibious platform developed in cooperation with BAE Systems for the Marines’ ACV, IDV developed the new amphibious vehicle for the Italian Navy.

The Amphibious Armoured Vehicle (VBA)

It is an 8×8 all-terrain vehicle designed to be launched and recovered from an amphibious ship in the open sea. It offers a combination of high mobility and ballistic, anti-mine and anti-IED protection. Allison provided its technical support to IDV for the complex integration of functions required by the transmission, both for in-water operations and land mobility. Thanks to the excellent collaboration between the two companies, the amphibious vehicle is suitable and effective for deployment in the Italian Navy.

The VBA is equipped with a powerful 700 hp FPT Cursor 16 engine, coupled to a 7-speed Allison 4800SPTM automatic transmission and an H-shaped driveline derived from the Centauro and VBM Freccia. This configuration allows the VBA to reach a maximum road speed of 105 km/h, while the two rear hydraulic propellers allow sea navigation in waves up to ‘sea state 3’ and a speed of 6 knots.

The importance of Allison transmissions for military vehicles

“A defence vehicle is very often fitted with an Allison transmission,” explains Simone Pace, OEM Account Manager & Area Sales Manager Italy at Allison. “This is because the Allison can provide the powershifting gearbox that is needed to allow such a heavy vehicle to move in off-road situations, in sand, in mud, where such a high weight would not allow gear changes.” The seven-speed Allison transmission delivers torque to all eight wheels simultaneously, allowing for exceptional mobility both on water and on land.

The IDVs have to cope with extreme situations in a variety of contexts, such as overcoming gradients of up to 60 per cent uphill and downhill, withstanding extreme environmental temperatures and operating in boating conditions. Therefore, reliability, safety and durability are crucial for these vehicles, which must be able to adapt to different situations and support different missions over time.

Allison’s fully automatic transmissions are the ideal choice for military vehicles due to their proven reliability and durability. The long association between Allison Transmission and the U.S. military is a successful example, beginning with the supply of aircraft engines in the 1920s and continuing with the production of automatic transmissions for specialty wheeled and tracked vehicles. Allison Specialty SeriesTM transmissions are specially designed for military applications and exceptional transport, ensuring maximum reliability and durability.

Numerous advantages for drivers of special military vehicles

Thanks to Continuous Power TechnologyTM, power is transferred continuously from the engine to the wheels, ensuring optimum performance and acceleration. Powershifting allows a smoother ride, precise traction control and improved manoeuvrability, even on difficult terrain and at low speeds. These features prove crucial in emergency situations, where Allison’s fully automatic transmissions can make all the difference.

The collaboration between Allison Transmission and IDV to equip the Italian Navy’s amphibious armoured vehicles is an important step in enhancing the national operational capability of projecting from the sea. Allison transmissions, renowned for their reliability and advanced performance, ensure that the vehicles are ready to face extreme situations and carry out their missions effectively and safely.

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