RG-33

RG-33 (standard four wheel variant)
Type Infantry Mobility Vehicle
Place of origin South Africa
Service history
In service 2007 present
Used by United States Army
United States Marine Corps
Croatian Army
Wars Global War on Terrorism
Production history
Designer Land Systems OMC
Manufacturer BAE Systems Land Systems South Africa
Unit cost $300,000
Variants RG-33 (4x4)
Specifications
Length 22.1 feet (6,700 mm)
Width 8 feet (2,400 mm)
Height 9.5 feet (2,900 mm)
Crew 4 + 2 crew

Armor monocoque v-hull
Main
armament
Optional armored glass turret or remote weapon station
Engine Cummins 400 I6 Diesel
400hp
Transmission Allison 3200
Suspension 4x4 Double wishbone suspension
Ground clearance 14 inches (360 mm)
Speed 68 miles per hour (109 km/h)
RG-33L (six wheel extended variant)
Service history
Used by US Army
US Marines
Croatian Army
Wars Global War on Terrorism
Production history
Designer Land Systems OMC
Manufacturer BAE Systems Land Systems South Africa
Unit cost $630,000
Produced October 2006 (RG-33L)[1]
Variants RG-33L (6x6)
Specifications
Length 28 feet (8,500 mm)
Width 8 feet (2,400 mm)
Height 9.5 feet (2,900 mm)
Crew 8 + 2 crew

Armor monocoque v-hull
Main
armament
Optional armored glass turret or remote weapon station
Engine Cummins 400 Turbo Diesel
400hp
Transmission Allison 3200
Suspension 6x6 Double wishbone suspension
Ground clearance 14 inches (360 mm)
Fuel capacity 80 gal
Speed 67 miles per hour (108 km/h)

The RG-33 is a mine-resistant light armored vehicle initially designed by BAE Systems Land Systems South Africa (formerly Land Systems OMC) a South African subsidiary of BAE Systems. BAE Systems in the US extensively modified it with additional protection, new power train and suspension systems. It was built in a number of locations including York, Pennsylvania, USA. It was one of several vehicles being fielded by the US Armed Forces in Iraq under the MRAP program.

Overview

It is based on the RG-31, which itself is based on the Mamba APC, although it is roughly twice the weight of a RG-31. There are two variants, the standard RG-33 has four wheels and weighs 22 tons while the extended RG-33L variant has six wheels, can carry twice as many people in the back, and weighs 26 to 37 tons depending on the version.

It was selected to be the sole producer of the US Army's $2.88 billion Medium Mine Protected Vehicle program.[2][3] The initial contract is worth $20 million. BAE representative Doug Coffey says that live-fire testing at Aberdeen, Maryland, proved the RG-33 to be the overall most survivable MRAP vehicle.[4]

The RG33 is manufactured in several configurations including the category I 4×4, category II 6×6, the heavy armored ground ambulance (HAGA) and the special operations command (SOCOM) vehicle.[5]

Design

It features a monocoque armored v-hull, for maximized interior space, seats and footrests suspended from the ceiling, run-flat tires, and an optional armored glass turret (Gunner Protection Kit or GPK), for maximized visibility and protection. The monocoque hull does not extend under the engine like some other armored vehicles. The engine compartment is a separate moncoque structure that bolts to rest of the hull. The vehicle is notable for its extensive use of TRAPP armored glass in the crew compartment. Like the Buffalo, it can be equipped with a robotic arm.

The U.S. has fielded 259 RG-33 4x4 variants in a Special Operations Command (SOCOM) configuration as shown above with remote weapon stations, two extra seats, and a rear door assist.[6] The U.S. has also fielded 16 RG-33L 6x6 variants in a Heavy Armored Ground Ambulance (HAGA) configuration.[7]

The Pentagon has future plans to add the Crows II remote weapon station, Boomerang anti-sniper system, and the Frag Kit 6 anti-EFP armor.

Production history

Versions

Operators

Map with RG-33 operators in blue

Current operators

 Croatia

 Egypt

 United States

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to RG-33.
  1. BAE SYSTEMS North America: News and Information: News Releases Archived October 18, 2006, at the Wayback Machine.
  2. "BAE Systems - AUSA 2008 - RG33 Series Mine Protected Vehicles". Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  3. "'Panther' designed to keep troops safer". Herald-mail.com. 2011-12-28. Retrieved 2012-01-01.
  4. "Diversity Adds Depth to MRAP". Military.com. Retrieved 2012-01-01.
  5. "RG33 Mine-Resistant Ambush Vehicle (MRAP)". Army Technology. 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2012-01-01.
  6. "SOCOM variant". Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  7. "HAGA Variant". Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  8. 1 2 3 "BAE's Diverse MRAP Orders". Defenseindustrydaily.com. 2011-12-18. Retrieved 2012-01-01.
  9. "BAE's Diverse MRAP Orders". Defense Industry Daily. 2011-12-18. Retrieved 2012-01-01.
  10. BAE receives contract to convert RG-33 MRAP into MMPV - Armyrecognition.com, December 2, 2012
  11. 20 Vehicles Croatia takes delivery of 30 MRAP MaxxPro armoured donated by the United States Government - Armyrecognition.com, 10 April 2014
  12. "U.S. Delivers Armored MRAP Vehicles to Egyptian Military". 12 May 2016.
  13. "Excess Defense Articles (EDA)".
  14. "US Marines order 90 SA vehicles". 2007-02-20. Retrieved 2007-02-20.
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