The SIDAM 25
[http://www.esercito.difesa.it/Equipaggiamenti/Artiglierie/Controaerei/SistemidArma/Pagine/SIDAM.aspx] is a
self-propelled anti-aircraft gun
An anti-aircraft vehicle, also known as a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG) or self-propelled air defense system (SPAD), is a mobile vehicle with a dedicated anti-aircraft capability.
Specific weapon systems used include machine guns, ...
developed in Italy from the chassis of the American
M113 armoured personnel carrier
An armoured personnel carrier (APC) is a broad type of armoured military vehicle designed to transport personnel and equipment in combat zones. Since World War I, APCs have become a very common piece of military equipment around the world.
Acc ...
. Due to the choice of basic chassis for the Sidam 25, components and spare parts were both cheap, and readily available due to the widespread use of the basic M113. Beginning production in 1987,
OTO Breda built a large turret to accommodate the four
Oerlikon KBA
The Oerlikon KBA is a 25 mm (25×137mm) autocannon, developed as a close range multipurpose weapon for the mechanised battlefield, originally made by Oerlikon (now Rheinmetall AG) and currently produced in Rheinmetall Italia S.p.A. facilities. It ...
cannons and remodelled the hull of the M113 slightly to provide side-access to the internal space of the vehicle by the addition of a side-mounted door.
Armament
The
Oerlikon KBA
The Oerlikon KBA is a 25 mm (25×137mm) autocannon, developed as a close range multipurpose weapon for the mechanised battlefield, originally made by Oerlikon (now Rheinmetall AG) and currently produced in Rheinmetall Italia S.p.A. facilities. It ...
cannon has an effective range of about and can engage low-flying targets with accuracy within that range. Firing at 2,440 rounds per minute, the turret contains 150 rounds of high-explosive fragmentation ammunition for each gun. An internal magazine also houses 40 APDS rounds that can be used against enemy vehicles. The turret can rotate through 360° and the guns can be raised 87° or lowered 5° from the horizontal position. Firing slots in the turret and hull are provided.
Fire control and observation
Target engagement is made using an
optronic fire control system and a laser rangefinder, but the lack of radar reduces its targeting capability in deteriorated weather conditions.
Propulsion
The Sidam 25 is powered by a single 6-cylinder Detroit 6V-53 engine, which delivers and drives the Sidam 25 to a top road speed of and allows the vehicle to climb vertical obstacles of in height and climb gradients with a 60% incline and cross trenches up to wide.
[
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Operators
*
See also
*M163 VADS
The M163 Vulcan Air Defense System (VADS) is a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG) that was used by the United States Army. The M168 gun is a variant of the General Dynamics M61 Vulcan rotary cannon, the standard cannon in most U.S. combat ...
Non-NATO
*ZSU-23-4
The ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" is a lightly armored Soviet self-propelled, radar-guided anti-aircraft weapon system (SPAAG).
Etymology
The acronym "ZSU" stands for ''Zenitnaya Samokhodnaya Ustanovka'' (russian: Зенитная Самоходная Ус ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sidam 25
Self-propelled anti-aircraft weapons
Armoured fighting vehicles of Italy
25 mm artillery
Military vehicles introduced in the 1980s