RG-31 Nyala

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RG-31 Mk3A
[description]
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
Option 2: Iveco Tector F4AE0681D diesel
Option 3: Detroit Diesel

Option 4: Cummins 6.7L QSB, 6-cylinder diesel, 275 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.[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]

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[edit]

Variants[edit]

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[edit]

Map with RG-31 operators in blue
Spanish RG-31 Nyala prepare to depart Forward Operating Base Bernardo de Galvez for a patrol through the town of Sang Atesh, Afghanistan.
A UN RG-31 in Iraq.
Iraqi National Police armored vehicles line up for a convoy at Joint Security Station Beladiyat.

Current operators[edit]

Combat history[edit]

RG-31 Nyala damaged by a mine
RG-31 blown in half by an IED.

See also[edit]

Other wheeled APCs and IFVs developed in South Africa
General

References[edit]

  1. ^ "General Dynamics | Canada > Home" (PDF). Gdlscanada.com. Retrieved 2010-03-19. 
  2. ^ "Today's Zaman, Turkish daily news". Retrieved 5 November 2014. 
  3. ^ a b "RG-31 Nyala Mine Protected Vehicle". Retrieved 2011-03-01. 
  4. ^ "Military Identifies 4 of 6 Canadian Soldiers Killed". CBC News. 2007-07-04. Retrieved 2011-03-01. 
  5. ^ Letterkenny U.S. Army Depot to celebrate production of new RG31 4x4 route clearance vehicle - Armyrecognition.com, 26 July 2016
  6. ^ "Basic variant specifications". 
  7. ^ "GDLS RG-31 Mk5 spec sheet PDF" (PDF). 
  8. ^ "Arms Trade Register". SIPRI. Retrieved 22 June 2012. 
  9. ^ "???". Archived from the original on July 7, 2007. 
  10. ^ "General Dynamics Awarded USD $67 Million Modification to Previously Awarded U.S. Army RG-31 Mk5 Contract". 2008-06-12. Retrieved 2011-03-01. 
  11. ^ "General Dynamics News - August 8, 2007". Gd.com. 2007-08-08. Retrieved 2010-03-19. 
  12. ^ "Diversity Adds Depth to MRAP". Military.com. Retrieved 2010-03-19. 
  13. ^ "General Dynamics News - July 17, 2008". Gd.com. 2008-07-17. Retrieved 2010-03-19. 
  14. ^ "Chacón afirma que el blindado evitó un "mal mayor" en el ataque de Afganistán", La Vanguardia, 19/06/2011
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