VBA (Veicolo blindato anfibio) is a combination of the SUPERAV of Iveco D.V. and the HITFIST OWS weapon station turret of Oto Melara, developed to match the requirements of the new Italian Amphibious Brigade.

With outstanding mobility on land and in the water and air transportability in a C130, the VBA provides an optimum blend of tactical, operational and strategic mobility.

Its HITFIST OWS weapon station incorporates the latest technologies in the fields of electronics, signature and Man Machine Interface (MMI) with outstanding performances in terms of lethality, survivability and fightability.

The VBA is fitted with the remotely operated weapon station HITFIST® OWS incorporating latest technologies in the fields of electronic, signature and Man Machine Interface (MM I) and it is the best of class in terms of lethality, survivability and fightability. The weapon station is easily installable, without hull penetration, on any tracked and wheeled platform and it is ready to fire without any preparation.

The main armament consists of the ATK Mk44 30mm chain gun of, electrically controlled for elevation, traversing and firing operations. As an option the main armament can be also completed by the introduction of two Anti Tank missile launchers, side mounted. The weapon station turret is fitted for receiving a secondary armament composed by a 7,62mm machine gun coaxially mounted. The HITFIST® OWS can be completely controlled by one member of the crew (the Gunner) from a remote position, under the hull protection, through a multifunction colour display and joysticks properly accommodated inside the vehicle. Moreover the operator, standing up from the own seat, can perform the 360° direct vision of the battlefield through the episcopes, the ammunition reloading and simple maintenance operations. The above mentioned operations can be performed through a dedicated hatch in the floor of the turret/roof of the vehicle. The weapon system elevation and traverse movements are actuated by an electrical, digital, gyro stabilized, gun laying systems; in case of any vehicle power failure the HITFIST® OWS can be manually operated under protection, both in azimuth and elevation and making fire by the use of a back- up fiber optic direct sight for aiming.

The VBA HITFIST® OWS monocoque hull is made in high hardness steel which provids a protection for the crew against small arms fire and artillery shell splinters. The vehicle can be also fitted with add-on armour to increase protection against IEDs and mine blast withouth limiting its amphibious capability.

The VBA HITFIST® OWS is motorized with an Iveco Cursor 13 6L turbocharged multifuel diesel engine coupled to a ZF 7HP902 gearbox with serven forward and one reverse speed. The vehicle can run at a maximum road speed of 105 km/h with a maximum road range of 800 km.

The VBA HITFIST® OWS is equipped with a fire control system includes a CCD camera, a Gen. IIIR Camera from Selex Galileo, an eye safe LRF, a meteo and vertical reference sensors suite. The vehicle can be also fitted with a self stabilized Panoramic Sight with Day TV camera and Gen III IR Camera including situational awareness and full hunter capability modules. Moreover a second control station for the Commander can be accommodated in the hull; when this second station is installed, either the Gunner or the Commander can fully operate the weapon system. The VBA HITFIST® OWS is fully amphibious and propelled in the water at a maximum speed of 10km/h by two propellers mounted on the rear of each side of the hull. Standard equipment includes NBC protection, automatic fire suppression systems and central tires inflation.