Spain continues to face the devastating passage of DANA, which particularly affected the Valencian Community and Castile-La Mancha and caused floods that left at least 211 dead, hundreds missing and towns that could remain isolated for months. Recovery efforts in affected areas have intensified in recent days, with people mobilizing to clean their homes, streets and buildings. remove sludge, debris and cars. Now, for this last task, they have a new tool.
The Army deployed Centauro, a huge armored vehicle, in the Valencian town of Benetúser eight-wheeled vehicle which began its journey in military services in the early 1990s. A vehicle from which, in situations of this type, its large gun can be removed to place in its place cranes, winches and a pusher or a stabilizing blade. Thanks to this, the armored vehicle can be used to move large loads or damaged heavy vehicles on the streets.
Centauro is an armored vehicle that is still active and many countries continue to use it, such as Spain, the United States, Jordan, Italy and Oman. A breakdown and repair vehicle whose name pays homage to the 131st Centauro Armored Division of the Royal Italian Army, completely destroyed during the Tunisian campaign in 1943. Its origin dates back to the 1980s, when Italian forces requested the development of a tank destroyer equipped with the same fire capacity. like the Leopard 1, but with great mobility.
A Spanish Centauro vehicle in the countryside.
Spanish government
Omicrono
Developed by the consortium of Italian manufacturers Società Consortile Iveco Fiat – Oto Melara, Centauro entered production in 1991 and features a 105 millimeter gun, turrets and a design that stands out. its great mobility in all types of areas and excellent range. This vehicle was designed with a computerized fire control system and a power-to-weight ratio that make it ideal for missions to protect light cavalry elements.
Regarding its technical specifications, Centauro has a weight of 26.8 tons and a 12-barrel with a length of 8.58 meters. Additionally, it has a height of 2.73 meters, a width of 3.05 meters, steel armor and space for four people, including shooters, loaders and drivers. In terms of weapons, the 105 millimeter Oto Melara cannon with a thermal jacket and a muzzle brake they accompany him two 7.62-millimeter MG3 machine guns.
Spanish centaur firing its cannon.
Spanish government.
Inside, Centauro incorporates a 520 horsepower, 6-cylinder V-shaped post-cooled Iveco V6 turbo diesel engine, which allows a maximum speed of 105 kilometers per hour and a range of up to 800 kilometers. While the power-to-weight ratio is 19.4 hp/t, its transmission is hydropneumatic, with a 5-speed automatic gearbox. The armored vehicle also offers independent suspension, can mount up to 8 wheels and its great potential in the high pressure gun, fully gyro stabilized.
A gun also equipped with an MRS homing system, has up to 14 projectiles in the turret ready to fire and can load 26 more in reserve. For their part, the machine guns have a total ammunition of 4,000 bullets. Another of the great features of the Centauro is its armor, since it comes with a welded steel helmet designed to withstand 12.7 millimeter shells. It can even resist shrapnel from explosives and armor plates can be added to resist 30mm ammunition.
Among other details, Centauro also stands out for its complete system of protection against nuclear, chemical and bacteriological weaponswhich consists of an air conditioning system; and to equip up to four smoke grenade launcher tubes mounted on each side of its turrets and an alarm system against laser aiming. Additionally, this armored vehicle was the basis on which several variants were built, such as the VBM Freccia and which is constituted as a derivative infantry fighting vehicle.
