B1 «Centaur" (Italian Centauro) - Italian heavy armored, often classified as a tank destroyer. Created concern Iveco FIAT Oto Melara commissioned Army of Italy on the role of intelligence machine capable also to fight with the enemy armor. Serial production of "Centaur" was carried out from 1991 to 2006, only 484 cars were produced of this type, some of which, in addition to Italy, was exported to Spain.

In addition to the armored car, on a common basis with him was created infantry fighting vehicle "Frecce" composed by the army of Italy, as well as an armored personnel carrier, not released for the prototype stage.
History of creation
In 1984, the command of the Italian Army formulated requirements for highly mobile wheeled tank destroyers armed with 105-mm rifled gun ballistics similar guns tanks "Leopard" -1 and M60A1. Sighting System tools had to be unified with the fire control systems perspective of main battle tank "Ariete" and tracked BMP VCC-80. Terms of reference were produced in the context of program re-ground forces. Heavy armored car was given the role of main battle tanks.
Work on "Wheel tank" began firms OTO Melara and Fiat in late 1984 and based on the experience of creation in 1982-1983. Fiat 6636 armored car 6x6. Installing the tower with a 105 mm gun increased the weight of the car by at least 6.7 m, so we had to add a fourth three axes to machine throughput has not deteriorated. Choice of dimensions was conditioned car intractable compromise between the need for greater internal volume of the housing to accommodate turret turrets and the constraints imposed by the size of the cargo hold military transport aircraft C-130 "Hercules.
In addition to the armored car, on a common basis with him was created infantry fighting vehicle "Frecce" composed by the army of Italy, as well as an armored personnel carrier, not released for the prototype stage.
History of creation
In 1984, the command of the Italian Army formulated requirements for highly mobile wheeled tank destroyers armed with 105-mm rifled gun ballistics similar guns tanks "Leopard" -1 and M60A1. Sighting System tools had to be unified with the fire control systems perspective of main battle tank "Ariete" and tracked BMP VCC-80. Terms of reference were produced in the context of program re-ground forces. Heavy armored car was given the role of main battle tanks.
Work on "Wheel tank" began firms OTO Melara and Fiat in late 1984 and based on the experience of creation in 1982-1983. Fiat 6636 armored car 6x6. Installing the tower with a 105 mm gun increased the weight of the car by at least 6.7 m, so we had to add a fourth three axes to machine throughput has not deteriorated. Choice of dimensions was conditioned car intractable compromise between the need for greater internal volume of the housing to accommodate turret turrets and the constraints imposed by the size of the cargo hold military transport aircraft C-130 "Hercules.







