RG-31 Nyala
RG-31 Mk3A | |
---|---|
RG-31 Charger | |
Type | Infantry Mobility Vehicle |
Place of origin | South Africa |
Production history | |
Designer | BAE Systems Land Systems OMC |
Specifications | |
Weight | 7.28 t |
Length | 6.40 m (21 ft) |
Width | 2.47 m (8.1 ft) |
Height | 2.63 m (8.63 ft) |
Crew | 2+6 |
| |
Main armament | weapons mount |
Engine |
Option 1: Daimler-Benz OM 352A, 6-cylinder diesel, 123 hp [1] |
Suspension | 4×4-wheeled |
Operational range | 900 km (559 mi) |
Speed | 100 km/h (62 mph) |
The RG-31 Nyala is a 4×4 multi-purpose mine-resistant ambush protected infantry mobility vehicle manufactured in South Africa by Land Systems OMC, It is a division of Denel SOC LTD, located in Benoni, South Africa. and in Turkey by FNSS Defence Systems.[2] It is based on the Mamba APC of TFM Industries.
The RG-31 is built from a V-shaped all-steel welded armor monocoque hull and high suspension, typical of South African mine protected vehicles, providing excellent small-arms and mine blast protection.[3] The vehicle is designed to resist a blast equivalent to two TM-57 anti-tank mines detonating simultaneously.[4] The RG-31 is classified by the United States Department of Defense as a category 1 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle.
The vehicle accommodates a crew of 8 or 10, including the driver, depending on model. Dismounting is provided via a large rear door and two front doors.
The RG-31 has become the multi-purpose vehicle of choice of the UN and other peacekeeping and security forces. It is finding favour with non-governmental organisations requiring a vehicle with a non-aggressive appearance to protect their personnel against land mines.
In July 2016, the Letterkenny Army Depot rolled out the latest variant of the RG31, with improvements including an engine upgrade from 275 to 300 hp, a transmission upgrade from 2,500 to a 3,000 series, independent suspension, 360-degree spotlights for night visibility, and an armored gunner's hatch. The depot is scheduled to produce 929 of these RG31s through 2020.[5]
Production history
Variants
Variants come in either an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) or utility vehicle (Cargo) configurations.[6]
- RG-31 Mk3A – based on Mamba APC
- RG-31 Mk5[7]
- RG-31 Mk5E – A extended Mk5 with larger passenger/cargo capacity and superior blast and ballistic protection.
- RG-31 Mk6E – Enhanced crew protection
- RG-31 Charger – US Army version of the Mk3 with a Detroit Diesel engine and Mk5 with a Cummins engine
- RG-31 Sabre – cargo version
- RG-31M – features a military wiring harness, central tire inflation and several other new characteristics. This vehicle has a crew of 5.[3]
Operators
Current operators
- Canada:
- Canadian Forces
- 75 RG-31 Mk3 with Protector (RWS) Remote Weapon Station
- London Police Service
- 1x RG-31 Mk3A, currently used by the Emergency Response Team
- Durham Regional Police Service
- 1x RG-31 Mk3A, Tactical Rescue Vehicle donated by General Dynamics to the Tactical Response Unit
- Canadian Forces
- Colombia:
- National Army of Colombia
- 4× RG-31 Nyala
- National Army of Colombia
- Spain: 150× RG-31 Mk5E Nyala with Samson remote Weapon Station (+ option for 30 more) already deployed in Lebanon and Afghanistan.
- Mali: 5× RG-31 Nyala
- Nigeria: 1× RG-31 Nyala
- Indonesia
- Iraq
- South Africa
- Rwanda: 6× RG-31 Nyala
- Swaziland: 7× RG-31 Nyala Mk5E, currently used by the Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force (USDF).[8]
- United Arab Emirates: 76× customized RG-31 Mk5
- United Nations: 30× RG-31 Nyala
- United States:
Combat history
- Afghanistan – Canada, (including 5 leased to Netherlands) (ISAF), United States, and Spain[14]
- Bosnia and Herzegovina – UNPROFOR
- Ethiopia / Eritrea – Canada
- Georgia –- UN
- Iraq – United States
- Colombian Armed Conflict
- Ivorian Civil War
- Ivory Coast – UNOCI
- Kosovo – KFOR
- Lebanon – UNIFIL
- Uganda - Uganda People's Defence Forces
- Yemen - United Arab Emirates as part of the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen
See also
- Other wheeled APCs and IFVs developed in South Africa
- General
References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to RG-31 Nyala. |
- ↑ "General Dynamics | Canada > Home" (PDF). Gdlscanada.com. Retrieved 2010-03-19.
- ↑ "Today's Zaman, Turkish daily news". Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- 1 2 "RG-31 Nyala Mine Protected Vehicle". Retrieved 2011-03-01.
- ↑ "Military Identifies 4 of 6 Canadian Soldiers Killed". CBC News. 2007-07-04. Retrieved 2011-03-01.
- ↑ Letterkenny U.S. Army Depot to celebrate production of new RG31 4x4 route clearance vehicle - Armyrecognition.com, 26 July 2016
- ↑ "Basic variant specifications".
- ↑ "GDLS RG-31 Mk5 spec sheet PDF" (PDF).
- ↑ "Arms Trade Register". SIPRI. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
- ↑ "???". Archived from the original on July 7, 2007.
- ↑ "General Dynamics Awarded USD $67 Million Modification to Previously Awarded U.S. Army RG-31 Mk5 Contract". 2008-06-12. Retrieved 2011-03-01.
- ↑ "General Dynamics News - August 8, 2007". Gd.com. 2007-08-08. Retrieved 2010-03-19.
- ↑ "Diversity Adds Depth to MRAP". Military.com. Retrieved 2010-03-19.
- ↑ "General Dynamics News - July 17, 2008". Gd.com. 2008-07-17. Retrieved 2010-03-19.
- ↑ "Chacón afirma que el blindado evitó un "mal mayor" en el ataque de Afganistán", La Vanguardia, 19/06/2011