First Hitfist 30 Turret for Polish AFVs Delivered

[2RHPZ]

First Hitfist 30 Turret for Polish AFVs Delivered

by Luca Peruzzi
Sep. 3, 2004

Oto Melara (La Spezia, Italy) on June 30, 2004, delivered the first Hitfist 30 lightweight turret modified for the Polish Army's Rosomak (Wolverine) 8x8 armored modular vehicle (AMV), produced by Patria (Helsinki, Finland). Derived from a similar turret for the Italian Army's Dardo tracked infantry fighting vehicle, the Hitfist 30 has been designed for a wheeled vehicle and features a 2,850-kg combat weight and reduced height for transport by a C-130 aircraft.


The Polish Army ordered 313 Hitfist 30 turrets for its new Rosomak 8x8 armored fighting vehicles.

The two-crew turret is armed with a single 30mm ATK Mk 44 chain gun and a coaxially mounted 7.62x51mm machine gun. The turrets have provisions for the installation of two anti-tank guided-missile launchers. The fire-control system includes a Kollsman (Merrimack, NH) DNRS-288 day/night sight and incorporates a Galileo Avionica (Campi Bisenzio, Italy) TILDE FC second-generation thermal imager. The self-protection suite includes a PCO-Cenzin (Warsaw, Poland) SSP-1 OBRA-3 automated laser-warning system and six 81mm grenade launchers.

Under a contract awarded to Oto Melara in July 2003, the company will provide 313 turrets. The same contract foresees the beginning of production in Italy and, thereafter, a gradual transfer of technologies to Poland in collaboration with various local industries. Wojskowe Zaklady Mechaniczne (WZM) (Siemianowice Slaskie, Poland), a production plant that is controlled by Polish Ministry of Defense, will carry out the final integration and production coordination.

Poland is acquiring a total of 700 Patria AMVs in various versions.

[Falco]

Good for them

[REMOV]

Originally Posted by CAG 147

Poland is acquiring a total of 700 Patria AMVs in various versions.

690 to be exact.

[Onyks]

Looking pretty good

[Catch22]

Cramped as hell for me. But I'm big, not as tall as REMOV but heavier. However troop section is nice, much more comfortable than in BMP. About these turrets - one more thing. I personally think we should use Rheinmetall E8 single man turrets or Rafael unmanned ones. E8 would by my choice - OTO Meleara's Mk44 turret cannon is powered by electricity, when it fails hand loading is a nightmare. Mauser one gas operated, totally independent. Also two man turret on AMV platform is to big in my opinion. Wheeled APC have high shilouette (compared to BMP's) so better to use as low (preferably unmanned) turrets as it gets.

Moi in AMV "Rosomak" troop section

[wholagun]

i see the Polish army finally got around to using better quality paint then before.

[wholagun]

I wonder how this thing will hold up to an RPG attack?

[Catch22]

Same as Stryker - it won't stand against RPG round.

[wholagun]

This is abit off topic but i was wondering a few things:

1) when do we get our F-16s?

2) I heard that we are getting new troop radios, any pics or info on this

3) Now that we got new APCs when are we gonna upgrade our IFVs (Puma) or get new IFVs

just some of many questions about Polish armed forces, I live in Canada so my military sources and whats new is really really really limmited.

[FDF_Hemppis]

Originally Posted by Catch22

Same as Stryker - it won't stand against RPG round.

I'd say that depends on how much armor you decide to put on it

[Catch22]

Well, you surely got a point Hemppis. Lets make it a stationary weapon platform, put some concrete around it and voila! Until they bomb us or use "strike from over the top" ATGM we're safe

I mean I like AMV (mostly for the looks not the performance). But its only for LIC type of conflict, recon or fire support missions (AMOS would be great). For a real war - tracked, heavy IFV is a must (CV90). Israelis got an right approach in my opinion - reuse older tanks. Im sure T72 would make decent IFVs (something BTR-T alike)

[FDF_Hemppis]

Originally Posted by Catch22

Well, you surely got a point Hemppis. Lets make it a stationary weapon platform, put some concrete around it and voila! Until they bomb us or use "strike from over the top" ATGM we're safe

What? You mean this wasn't the plan all along?

But seriously, I think AMV is probably much more at home in the APC than IFV role... But after all, it's modular design, so adding "some" armor isn't going to pose a problem, me thinks

[Hydro]

Originally Posted by Catch22

Cramped as hell for me. But I'm big, not as tall as REMOV but heavier. However troop section is nice, much more comfortable than in BMP. About these turrets - one more thing. I personally think we should use Rheinmetall E8 single man turrets or Rafael unmanned ones. E8 would by my choice - OTO Meleara's Mk44 turret cannon is powered by electricity, when it fails hand loading is a nightmare. Mauser one gas operated, totally independent. Also two man turret on AMV platform is to big in my opinion. Wheeled APC have high shilouette (compared to BMP's) so better to use as low (preferably unmanned) turrets as it gets.

Moi in AMV "Rosomak" troop section

Woah, that thing is pretty luxurious Compared to a Warrior anyhoo...

[wholagun]

Originally Posted by FDF_Hemppis

What? You mean this wasn't the plan all along?

But seriously, I think AMV is probably much more at home in the APC than IFV role... But after all, it's modular design, so adding "some" armor isn't going to pose a problem, me thinks

Yeah i aggreek, it is more at home as a APC then IFV. However, I do like the 30mm cannon on top. It gives extra security in tight spaces and gives the troops cover when in a tight situation or disembarking or embarking into and from the APC.

I think that an IFV should have good armour, as it is bound to take hits and should be fast and manuvurable. I don't like the Puma its too old and not up to the task of the new battle field. I wouldn't want to be in that thing, its a metal coffin IMHO. But Polish army has come a long way, and its only a matter of time before we got a great top of the line IFV, hopefully German made.