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RG-31 Nyala

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RG-31 Mk3A
[description]
RG-31 Charger
TypeMine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle
Place of originSouth Africa
Production history
DesignerBAE Systems Land Systems OMC
Specifications
Mass7.28 t
Length6.40 m (21 ft)
Width2.47 m (8.1 ft)
Height2.63 m (8.63 ft)
Crew2+6
Main
armament
Varies weapons such as optional 12.7mm M2 Browning machine gun by weapons mount
EngineOption 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]

Option 5: Weichai WD615
Suspension4×4-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-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle manufactured in South Africa by Land Systems OMC (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 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]

Design

[edit]

The RG-31 is based on a UNIMOG chassis.[3] It 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.[4] The vehicle is designed to resist a blast equivalent to two TM-57 anti-tank mines detonating simultaneously.[5] 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 ranging from 5 to 10 depending on mission needs, depending on model. Dismounting is provided via a large air actuated rear door and two front doors, also air actuated.

In July 2016, the Letterkenny Army Depot in Pennsylvania rolled out the latest variant of the RG-31, with improvements including an engine upgrade from 275 to 300 hp, a transmission upgrade, independent suspension, 360-degree spotlights for night visibility, and an armored gunner's hatch. The depot is scheduled to produce 929 improved RG-31s through 2020.[6]

Production history

[edit]

Variants

[edit]

Variants come in either an armoured personnel carrier (APC) or utility vehicle (cargo) configuration.[7]

  • RG-31 Mk3A – based on Mamba APC
  • RG-31 Mk5[8]
  • RG-31 Mk5E – An 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.[4]
  • RG-31 Agrab; Mortar carrier version with SRAMS (Super Rapid Advanced Mortar System).[9]

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.

Combat history

[edit]
RG-31 Nyala damaged by a mine
RG-31 after getting hit by an IED in Iraq in 2007. The explosion tore the vehicle in two. The crew survived, but they were severely wounded.

See also

[edit]
Other wheeled APCs and IFVs developed in South Africa
General

References

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to RG-31 Nyala.
  1. ^ "General Dynamics | Canada > Home" (PDF). Gdlscanada.com. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  2. ^ "Today's Zaman, Turkish daily news". Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  3. ^ "Deutsche Rüstungsexporte: Einzelansicht". ruestungsexport-info.de. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
  4. ^ a b "RG-31 Nyala Mine Protected Vehicle". Retrieved 1 March 2011.
  5. ^ "Military Identifies 4 of 6 Canadian Soldiers Killed". CBC News. 4 July 2007. Retrieved 1 March 2011.
  6. ^ Letterkenny U.S. Army Depot to celebrate production of new RG31 4x4 route clearance vehicle - Armyrecognition.com, 26 July 2016
  7. ^ "Basic variant specifications".
  8. ^ "GDLS RG-31 Mk5 spec sheet PDF" (PDF).
  9. ^ Administrator. "The BAE Systems RG-31 Agrab 120mm 4x4 mortar carrier vehicle to be produced in UAE 2609133". www.armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  10. ^ International Institute for Strategic Studies (2021). The Military Balance. p. 453. ISBN 9781032012278.
  11. ^ "Internal Server Error" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 June 2017.
  12. ^ a b "Arms Trade Register". SIPRI. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  13. ^ "???". Archived from the original on 7 July 2007.
  14. ^ "General Dynamics Awarded USD $67 Million Modification to Previously Awarded U.S. Army RG-31 Mk5 Contract". 12 June 2008. Retrieved 1 March 2011.
  15. ^ "General Dynamics News - August 8, 2007". Gd.com. 8 August 2007. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  16. ^ "Diversity Adds Depth to MRAP". Military.com. Archived from the original on 23 October 2007. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  17. ^ "General Dynamics News - July 17, 2008". Gd.com. 17 July 2008. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  18. ^ "Spanish Military Aid To Ukraine".
  19. ^ "Chacón afirma que el blindado evitó un "mal mayor" en el ataque de Afganistán", La Vanguardia, 19 June 2011
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