ItO 90
Overview
ItO 90M
Finnish ItO 90M in camouflaged position during an air defense exercise in 2014.
Source: Finnish army -
© Copyright lies with original owner
Finland
France - Sisu Defense
Finland - Chassis and various components
Finnish for "anti-aircraft missile 90"
ItO 90M (modernized variant)
Description
Description
The ItO 90 is a French/Finnish self-propelled SAM system. It is a variant of the Crotale NG system adjusted to Finnish specifications. It is sometimes referred to as the XA-181, which is the 6x6 chassis of Finnish origin. From 2007 to 2010 it was modernized and renamed ItO 90M.
Layout
The ItO 90 is a French Crotale NG SAM system mated to the Finnish XA-181 6x6 chassis. The turret houses the search and tracking radar, optical systems and 8 Crotale VT-1 missiles ready to launch. A single large outrigger is located at the front and two outriggers are fitted to the rear corners of the vehicle.
Firepower
The Crotale NG system fires the VT-1 medium range surface to air missile that can reach speeds up to Mach 3.5. It is deemed effective against both helicopters and fast moving jet aircraft. The maximum horizontal range is 11 km and maximum altitude is 6 km. A single missile can be launched and guided at a time. Interval between engagements is reported as short.
Guidance
The Crotale VT-1 is guided using radio commands from the launch vehicle. The missile is tracked by the launch vehicle by either fire control radar or infrared camera. The ItO 90 is fitted with a 30 km range tracking radar, TV camera and infrared camera. The 20 km search radar allows for independent operatiom. However, it is most effective in a coordinated role with inputs from longer range early warning radar. The ItO 90M improvement allows for optical fire direction away from the vehicle, increasing crew survivability. Possibly it also allows for fully passive operation of the launch vehicle, not using the radar.
Protection
The ItO 90 is based on the XA-181 chassis, which is a derivative of the XA-180 armored personnel carrier. The steel armor protects the crew from small arms fire and shell splinters. The ItO 90M allows for fire direction away from the vehicle, increasing crew survivability. When used in a passive mode the ItO 90 is less effective, but also better protected from anti-radiation missiles.
Mobility
The XA-181 wheeled chassis allows for good mobility on roads and reasonable cross country mobility. Since the ItO 90 is much heavier and has a higher center of gravity the off road mobility is reduced compared to the regular APC variants. The ItO 90 is not intended to be used while on the move. Three outriggers provide stability in the firing position.
Users
This specific configuration of the Crotale NG is only used by Finland. A total of 21 launch vehicles were delived. The ItO 90M upgrade program ran from 2007 to 2010. The ItO 90M remains in active service.
Details
Media
ItO 90
Finnish ItO 90 on display in 2007. Note the hydraulic powered outrigger on the front of the vehicle.
Source: Tom Raftery
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
ItO 90M
Finnish ItO 90M in camouflaged position during an air defense exercise in 2017.
Source: Finnish army
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
ItO 90
Finnish ItO 90 firing a Crotale VT-1 missile during a test launch in 2007.
Source: Finnish army
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
ItO 90
Finnish ItO 90 firing a Crotale VT-1 missile during a test launch in 2007.
Source: Finnish army
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner