The Centaur is a self propelled anti tank gun designed by MOWAG to meet the requirements of the Swiss Army. It is designed to engage tanks, hardened defensive measures and enemy manpower by airborne forces, as well as ground force units.
The main cannon mainly fires HE and AP ammunition, with a round capacity of 50. It is capable of firing NATO ammunition.
There is also a three round launcher mounted on the tank turret, enabling the tank to fire AT-5 missiles.
Loading is accomplished by an auto loader, smaller and with a much faster load time,compared to previous generations. New safety measures have also been implemented, including a blast out hatch with ammunition stored in a hardened compartment which slides open to facilitate loading, a enhanced NBC compartment for crew and computers for battle management and fire control, called ADAMANT and STARE respectively.
The tank destroyer entered service in 2006, and currently serves as the Irish Army’s main armoured battalion. It is also in service with the Swiss Army as a light scout vehicle.
Service history:
Swiss Armed Forces
Irish Army

Designer:
MOWAG
Designed:
2004,entered service in 2006
Mass
15 tonnes
Length
11 metres
Width
3 m
Height
2.25 m
Crew
3 (Commander,Driver,Gunner)
Armour:
Cobra-
Ceramic armour sandwiched between high hardness steel,with a outer layer of tungsten-steel alloy,with a rubber shock coating and a low elasticity plastic shell plate.
Main armament:
120mm smooth bore cannon, 50 rounds
Three AT-5 missiles
Operational range:
650km
Maximum speed:
Road:
110 kilometres per hour
Cross country:
85 kilometres per hour

Centaur Airborne Variant

Controls:
Trim and VTOL to operate cannon and launcher
Pitch to move forwards/backwards
Roll to turn