Otomatic
Encyclopedia
The Otomatic was an Italian prototype self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG) built by OTO-Melara. It combined the chassis of a Leopard 1 or OF-40
tank with a new turret mounting the Otobreda 76 mm
gun along with associated search and targeting radars and their fire control systems. OTO Melara offered it as a long-range SPAAG that could outperform systems like the Gepard
and similar versions with the British Marksman turret that mounted much smaller 35 mm guns.
The gun could also be useful against lighter armored vehicles or older generation tanks. However, the Otomatic was never put into production because the widespread presence of anti-aircraft missiles reduced the need for a long-range AA gun on the modern battlefield.
OTO-Melara attempted to revive the concept with the AMRAD ("Artillery Multi-Role Area Defense"), which had a much lighter mounting, and which was intended for use on a variety of wheeled vehicles. In order to lower the weight of the system, the turret's armor was reduced and the radars were removed and replaced with an optical-only aiming system cued by a remote radar. Despite these changes, the AMRAD failed to sell.
OF-40
The OF-40 tank is a main battle tank developed as a joint venture between OTO Melara and FIAT, and intended primarily for export sales. OTO Melara would develop and produce the hulls, and automotive components would be provided by FIAT...
tank with a new turret mounting the Otobreda 76 mm
Otobreda 76 mm
The Otobreda 76 mm gun is a naval artillery piece built by the Italian defence conglomerate Otobreda. It is based on the Oto Melara 76mm/L62 Allargato, which was bigger and heavier...
gun along with associated search and targeting radars and their fire control systems. OTO Melara offered it as a long-range SPAAG that could outperform systems like the Gepard
Flugabwehrkanonenpanzer Gepard
The Flugabwehrkanonenpanzer Gepard is an autonomous, all-weather-capable German self-propelled anti-aircraft gun . It was developed in the 1960s and fielded in the 1970s, and has been upgraded several times with the latest electronics...
and similar versions with the British Marksman turret that mounted much smaller 35 mm guns.
The gun could also be useful against lighter armored vehicles or older generation tanks. However, the Otomatic was never put into production because the widespread presence of anti-aircraft missiles reduced the need for a long-range AA gun on the modern battlefield.
OTO-Melara attempted to revive the concept with the AMRAD ("Artillery Multi-Role Area Defense"), which had a much lighter mounting, and which was intended for use on a variety of wheeled vehicles. In order to lower the weight of the system, the turret's armor was reduced and the radars were removed and replaced with an optical-only aiming system cued by a remote radar. Despite these changes, the AMRAD failed to sell.