RG-31

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

RG-31 Mk3A
RG-31 Charger
General characteristics
Crew	11
Length	6.40 m (21 ft)
Width	2.47 m (8.1 ft)
Height	2.63 m (8.63 ft)
Weight	7.28 t
Armour and armament
Armour
Main armament	.50-cal M2 Machine Gun
Secondary armament	MK19 Granade Launcher
Mobility
Power plant	Option 1: Daimler-Benz OM 352A, 6 cylinder diesel, 123 HP Option 2: Iveco Tector F4AE0681D diesel Option 3: Detroit Diesel
Suspension	4×4 wheeled
Road speed	100 km/h (62 mph)
Power/weight
Range	900 km (300 mi)

The RG-31 Nyala is multi-purpose mine-protected vehicle made by Land Systems OMC in South Africa, based on the TFM Industries' Mamba APC. The vehicle’s V-shaped monocoque welded steel hull and high suspension are designed to resist a blast equivalent to two TM-57 anti-tank mines detonating simultaneously.

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 nongovernmental organisations requiring a vehicle with a non-aggressive appearance to protect their personnel against the threat of landmines.

1 Production history
- 1.1 Variants
2 Operators
3 Combat history
4 References
5 External links
6 See also

[edit] Production history

[edit] Variants

Variants came in either a Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) or utility vehicle (Cargo) configurations

RG-31 Mk3A Nyala - based on Mamba APC
RG-31 Sabre - cargo version
RG-31 Mk5 Nyala
RG-31 Charger - US Army version of the Mk3 and Mk5 with a Detroit Diesel engine

[edit] Operators

Canada - 75 RG-31 Mk3 with PROTECTOR M151 Remote Weapon Station
Colombia - 4 RG-31 Nyala
Netherlands - 5 (on loan from Canada)
Rwanda - 6 RG-31 Nyala
South Africa
UN - 30 RG-31 Nyala
United Arab Emirates - customised RG-31 Mk3As
United States - 148 RG-31 Mk3 Charger (60 Mk5s on order with option for extra 34)
Blackwater Security

[edit] Combat history

Afghanistan - Canada, (including 5 leased to Netherlands)(ISAF)
- On September 27, 2006 a suicide bomber drove a vehicle into a CF Nyala. The bomb damaged the Nyala, but it was able to drive away. None of the occupents were injured, but one civilian onlooker was injured. The bomber's vehicle was destroyed. ^[1]
- On October 7, 2006 a roadside explosion damaged a CF Nyala, killing its Gunner. There were no other casualties. The Nyala had to be towed away, and had at least one wheel missing.
Bosnia and Herzegovina - UNPROFOR
Ethiopia / Eritrea - Canada
Georgia - UN
Iraq - United States
- On May 4, 2006 an IED attack killed 2 US soldiers who were riding in a RG-31 while on patrol South of Baghdad.[1]
- On July 8, 2006 an IED attack killed 3 US soldiers who were riding in a RG-31 while on patrol in Ramadi Iraq. [2]
- On February 8, 2007 an IED attack killed 3 US soldiers from the 321st Engineering Battalion, headquartered at Gowen Field, Idaho, who were riding in an RG-31 while on patrol in Al Anbar Province in Iraq. [3]