SUPERAV Italian 8x8 Amphibious Armored Personnel Carrier (APC)

SUPERAV

Amphibious Armored Personnel Carrier (APC)

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Basic Information

Name

SUPERAV Italian 8x8 Amphibious Armored Personnel Carrier (APC)

Designation

SUPERAV

Alternate Designation

SUPERAV

Equipment Type

Amphibious Armored Personnel Carrier (APC)

Manufacturer

Iveco Defense Vehicles

Date of Introduction

2018

Description

The SUPERAV Italian 8x8 Amphibious Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) represents a significant advancement in light-to-medium weight amphibious vehicle design, combining wheeled 8x8 mobility with substantial amphibious capability. The SUPERAV/ACV platform has become increasingly important for NATO modernization, particularly among nations seeking to replace aging tracked amphibious vehicles. Beyond the established users (Italy, United States, and Spain), several other nations are evaluating the platform as a replacement for their AAV-7 fleets. This growing adoption reflects the vehicle's proven performance in both land and amphibious operations, its superior protection compared to legacy systems, and its modular architecture supporting diverse mission requirements. The platform's success demonstrates the viability of modern 8x8 wheeled designs for demanding amphibious warfare scenarios, challenging long-standing preferences for tracked vehicles in maritime environments.

Ground Specifications

Crew 3

Mobility Type Wheeled (8x8)

Engine Turbocharged Diesel (700 hp)

NBC Protection Yes

Max Speed 105.0 km/h

Range 700.0 km

Variants

Note The modular design allows the vehicle to be configured for diverse mission roles beyond basic personnel transport, including combat operations, command post functions, armored recovery operations, and medical evacuation.

System

Alternative Designation SUPERAV

Type Amphibious Armored Personnel Carrier (APC)

Manufacturer Iveco Defense Vehicles

Configuration 8x8

Crew 3 ea

Passengers 13 ea

Payload Capacity 4,000 kg

Note (If a remotely operated turret is installed, troop capacity is reduced only to ten personnel, demonstrating the design's flexibility in balancing firepower and transport capability.

Dimensions

Length 8,750 mm

Width 3,120mm

Height 2,790 mm

Weight, Empty 27,500 kg

Weight, Combat 31,500 kg

Automotive

Engine Name Iveco Cursor 16

Engine Type Turbocharged intercooler diesel engine

Engine Power 700 hp

Maximum Range 700 km when traveling at 70 km/h

Maximum Land Speed 105 km/h

Amphibious The SUPERAV is fully amphibious and capable of ship-to-shore operations in sea conditions up to and beyond Sea State 3. The vehicle is propelled through water by two independent hydraulically-powered propellers located beneath the rear hull, achieving a maximum water speed of six knots (approximately 11 km/h). Amphibious operations are activated through a system that deploys a trim vane at the front, engages bilge pumps, and activates a snorkel, enabling rapid transition from land to water operations.

Amphibious Speed 11 km/h

Gradient INA

Side Slope INA

Vertical Step INA

Trench INA

Fording INA

Sea State 3

Main Weapon System

Note The SUPERAV can be equipped with remotely operated weapon stations capable of mounting weapons up to 40mm caliber. Various configurations are available, including: Remote weapon systems with 12.7mm machine guns (as fitted to the Italian Navy VBA variant); 30mm cannons with coaxial 7.62mm machine guns; Integration of Spike-LR anti-tank guided missiles (dual-launcher option); Patria Nemo 120mm smoothbore turreted mortars (for mortar carrier variants).

Protection

Armor The SUPERAV incorporates a high-hardness monocoque steel hull with multiple protection layers designed to withstand direct fire, artillery fragmentation, and mine/IED threats. According to sources, the vehicle reportedly meets NATO STANAG 4569 protection level 3 standards, providing resistance against 7.62mm armor-piercing ammunition, artillery fragmentation, and mine blast effects. Blast-mitigating seats with energy absorption devices are installed throughout the passenger compartment.

Applique Armor Add-on armor kits are available for customers requiring increased protection levels.

NBC Protection Yes

Smoke Equipment 8 x Smoke grenade launchers

Image Sources

Notes https://www.idvgroup.com/products/amphibious-armoured-vehicles/superav-amphibious-armoured-vehicle-8x8/

Details

Country of Origin Italy

Category Land

Land

Classification

Domain

Ground

Equipment Status

Active

Dimensions

Length

8.75 m

Width

3.12 m

Height

2.79 m

Weight

31500 kg

Operators (3)

United States

Italy

Spain

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