| RG-31 Mk3A | |
|---|---|
![[description]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c5/RG-31.JPG) RG-31 Charger | |
| Type |
Armored fighting vehicle, MRAP |
| Place of origin | South Africa |
| Production history | |
| Designer | BAE Systems Land Systems OMC |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 7.28 tonne |
| 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) |
| Maximum speed | 100 km/h (62 mph) |
The RG-31 Nyala is a 4×4 multi-purpose mine-protected armoured personnel carrier (APC) manufactured in South Africa by Land Systems OMC, a division of BAE Systems. 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.[2] The vehicle is designed to resist a blast equivalent to two TM-57 anti-tank mines detonating simultaneously.[3] The RG-31 is classified by the United States Department of Defense as a category 1 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle.[citation needed]
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.[citation needed]
Production history[]
Variants[]
Variants come in either an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) or utility vehicle (Cargo) configurations.[4]
- RG-31 Mk3A - based on Mamba APC
- RG-31 Mk5[5]
- 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.[2]
Operators[]
Spanish RG-31 Nyala prepare to depart Forward Operating Base Bernardo de Galvez for a patrol through the town of Sang Atesh.
A UN RG-31 in Iraq.
Iraqi National Police armored vehicles line up for a convoy at Joint Security Station Beladiyat.
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: 4× RG-31 Nyala
- 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
- South Africa
- Rwanda: 6× RG-31 Nyala
- Swaziland: 7× RG-31 Nyala Mk5E, currently used by the Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force (USDF).[6]
- United Arab Emirates: 76× customized RG-31 Mk5
- United Nations
- 30× RG-31 Nyala
Combat history[]
RG-31 Nyala damaged by a mine
RG-31 blown in half by an IED.
- Afghanistan – Canada, (including 5 leased to Netherlands) (ISAF), United States, and Spain[12]
- 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
See also[]
- Other wheeled APCs and IFVs developed in South Africa
- General
References[]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to RG-31 Nyala. |
- ↑ "General Dynamics | Canada > Home". Gdlscanada.com. http://www.gdlscanada.com/pdf/RG31Mk5_specs_mod.pdf. Retrieved 2010-03-19.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "RG-31 Nyala Mine Protected Vehicle". http://www.defense-update.com/products/r/RG-31.htm. Retrieved 2011-03-01.
- ↑ "Military Identifies 4 of 6 Canadian Soldiers Killed". CBC News. 2007-07-04. http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2007/07/04/afghanistan-nato.html. Retrieved 2011-03-01.
- ↑ "Basic variant specifications". http://www.gdlscanada.com/Default.aspx?tabid=206.
- ↑ "GDLS RG-31 Mk5 spec sheet PDF". http://infodefensa.com/noticias/docs/RG31Mk5_specs%5B1%5D.pdf.
- ↑ "Arms Trade Register". SIPRI. http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
- ↑ "???". http://www.baesystemsomc.co.za/Default.aspx?tabid=1697&ctl=ArticleView&mid=2678&articleId=95.[dead link]
- ↑ "General Dynamics Awarded USD $67 Million Modification to Previously Awarded U.S. Army RG-31 Mk5 Contract". 2008-06-12. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2008/06/mil-080612-general-dynamics01.htm. Retrieved 2011-03-01.
- ↑ "General Dynamics News - August 8, 2007". Gd.com. 2007-08-08. http://www.gd.com/news/press_releases/2007/NewsRelease%20August%208,%202007.htm. Retrieved 2010-03-19.
- ↑ "Diversity Adds Depth to MRAP". Military.com. http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,153979,00.html. Retrieved 2010-03-19.
- ↑ "General Dynamics News - July 17, 2008". Gd.com. 2008-07-17. http://www.gd.com/news/press_releases/2008/NewsRelease%20July%2017,%202008-2.htm. Retrieved 2010-03-19.
- ↑ "Chacón afirma que el blindado evitó un "mal mayor" en el ataque de Afganistán", La Vanguardia, 19/06/2011
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The original article can be found at RG-31 Nyala and the edit history here.