The Superav 8×8 is an amphibious armoured personnel carrier (APC) developed by the Italian company Iveco Defence Vehicles.
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Initially designed to meet the requirements of the Italian Army, the vehicle is now mainly offered for the export markets.
Superav delivers high mobility and superior protection for the armed forces operating in challenging battlefield scenarios.
The vehicle is well suited for amphibious operations inparticular, with the waterjet propulsion system allowing the vehicle to attain a speed of 5km/h in water.
Iveco Superav APC orders and deliveries
The Brazilian Army signed a €2.5bn contract with Iveco Latin America in December 2009, for 2,044 VBTP-MR (Urutu III) 6×6 armoured personnel carriers, which are based on the Superav vehicle.
Superav 8×8 was offered to the Italian Armed Forces in 2010. The Italian Landing Force has a requirement for 600 vehicles to replace its M113 series of amphibious vehicles.
In August 2011, Iveco Defence Vehicles and BAE Systems entered into a teaming agreement to offer an amphibious platform for the US Marine Corps personnel carrier (MPC) programme.
Under the agreement, Iveco and BAE Systems will develop a new vehicle based on the Iveco Superav 8×8 APC for the MPC programme.
Superav armoured pesonnel carrier variation models
The flexible design of the vehicle allows the manufacturers to build many variants based on the common platform.
The vehicle is available as an armoured personnel carrier combat vehicle, anti tank vehicle, mortar carrier, engineer vehicle, recovery vehicle, ambulance and command post vehicle.
Superav design, features and armaments
The Superav incorporates a high hardness monocoque steel hull. The vehicle is being delivered in two different body widths, 2.7m and 3m.
Superav can accommodate 13 occupants including a driver and 12 troops. The vehicle is provided with roof hatches and rear doors for the entry and exit of the troops.
The Superav has a length of 7.92m, a maximum width of 3m and a height of 2.3m. The amphibious vehicle has a gross combat weight of 24t.
It is fitted with standard equipment including air conditioning system, NBC system, fire or explosion detection and suppression system and central tyre inflation system.
Superav can be armed with a range of weapon systems up to 40mm calibre. The vehicle can adopt various weapon systems including remotely controlled stations and turrets.
Self-protection
The chassis and hull design of the Superav provides high levels of protection against small arms fire, artillery shell splinters, mine and IED attacks without limiting its amphibious capability.
The vehicle can be attached with add-on armour kits for additional protection. The Superav offers high protection, though it has lower gross vehicle weight in its class. Survivability is further enhanced with onboard fire fighting and anti-explosion systems.
The Superav is installed with appliqué passive and active protection systems without varying the appearance of the vehicle. The vehicle is fitted with eight smoke grenade launchers.
Engines and mobility
The Superav is powered by an Iveco Cursor 13 6L turbocharged multifuel diesel engine coupled with a ZF 7HP902 gearbox (seven forward and one reverse).
The engine develops a power output of 500-560hp. The power to weight ratio of the vehicle is 21.5hp/t. The engine and driveline were derived from the combat proven Centauro vehicle family to deliver the benefits of a COTS production system.
The Superav has a maximum on-road speed of 105km/h. The high fuel and onboard water capacity allow the vehicle to operate across significant distances. The vehicle can travel 500 miles on terrain and 40 miles in amphibious mode.
The hydraulic-powered independent propellers enable the amphibious operations up to a sea state of two. The central tyre inflation system and run-flats fitted on the vehicle provide tactical mobility and terrain accessibility.
The hydro-pneumatic and independent suspension allows the driver to adjust the ride height, tilt the vehicle during loading and unloading, stage the vehicle while firing in a sloped terrain and reduce height to fit into a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.
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