RG-34

Last updated

RG-34
RG34-ligte pantservoertuig, b, Waterkloof Lugmagbasis.jpg
Type MRAP
Place of origin South Africa
Production history
DesignerIADSA
Manufacturer BAE Systems South Africa
Produced2009 [1] [ unreliable source? ]
Specifications
Mass9,500 kg [1]
Length5,050 mm
Width2350 mm
Height2150 mm
Crew8 [1]

Armor Welded steel [1]
Main
armament
various
EngineFuel diesel [1]
160 kW (215 hp) [1]
Power/weight25.1 hp/tonne
Transmission5-speed automatic [1]
Fuel capacity156 litres
Operational
range
1000 km [1]
Maximum speed 105 km/h [1]

The RG-34 (formerly denoted as Iguana FV4) is a South African Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle (MRAP). Specially designed to be mine-resistant, it has been produced in multiple variants, equipped for troop or cargo transport, command, and fire support. [2] [3] Originally showcased with a wide turret ring and a 90mm rifled cannon, the RG-34 was one of the first MRAPs configured to carry a large gun system. [4]

Contents

Development

Development of the Iguana was initiated under contract by Industrial & Automotive South Africa (IADSA) for a Belgian firm, Sabiex; the first prototype being completed in early 2002. By June 2009, BAE Land Systems had obtained necessary rights to develop and manufacture the vehicle. [5] The RG-34 was initially displayed with a potent weapons system for an MRAP, in the form of an overlarge turret fitted with a 90mm (3.5 in.) gun. [6] This has since been replaced by a more ergonomic tactical remote turret (TRT) boasting a 25mm M242 autocannon and a co-axial 7.62mm machine gun. [1]

Design

RG-34's cross-country performance is attributed to its unique suspension, a multi-link hydro-pneumatic structure mounted on a very rigid chassis. This affords optimal performance on road surfaces, a superior turning radius, and clearance over rugged terrain. When deployed in the reconnaissance role long-range fuel tanks give the vehicle an extended operating range of 1,000 kilometres. [1]

The hull of the RG-34 is of welded steel construction. Despite the weight restrictions imposed on wheeled platforms, all-around armour protection is reasonable against 7.62mm AP rounds at 30 metres, air burst fragments, and anti-tank mines. [1]

Variants

Operators

Map with RG-34 operators in blue RG-34 operators.png
Map with RG-34 operators in blue

Current operators

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eland armoured car</span> South African light armoured car

The Eland is an air-portable light armoured car based on the Panhard AML. Designed and built for long-range reconnaissance, it mounts either a 60mm (2.4 in) breech-loading mortar or a Denel 90mm (3.5 in) gun on a very compact chassis. Although lightly armoured, the vehicle's permanent 4X4 drive makes it faster over flat terrain than many tanks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RG-31 Nyala</span> Infantry mobility vehicle

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, located in Benoni, South Africa and in Turkey by FNSS Defence Systems. It is based on the Mamba APC of TFM Industries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terrex ICV</span> Armoured combat vehicle

The Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV) is an armoured fighting vehicle (AFV) developed by ST Engineering of Singapore and Timoney Technology of Ireland, and produced by ST Engineering Land Systems for the Singapore Army as well as by Turkish auto-maker Otokar as the Yavuz (AV-82) for the Turkish military.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panhard ERC</span> French armored car

The Panhard ERC is a French six-wheeled armoured car which is highly mobile and amphibious with an option of being NBC-proof. Two versions of the ERC entered production in large numbers: the ERC-90 Lynx and the ERC-90 Sagaie. The main difference between the two versions is the type of turret and 90 mm gun fitted. Sagaie is French for assegai, a type of African spear.

Land Systems OMC is a South African company that produces a range of armoured vehicles which have been successfully exported and are in service with, amongst others, the U.S., Canadian and South African militaries. It is a division of Denel SOC LTD, located in Benoni, Gauteng.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M242 Bushmaster</span> American autocannon

The M242 Bushmaster chain gun is a 25 mm (25×137mm) single-barrel chain-driven autocannon. It is used extensively by the U.S. military, such as in the Bradley fighting vehicle, as well as by other NATO members and some other nations in ground combat vehicles and various watercraft. Hughes Helicopters in Culver City, California, was the original designer and manufacturer. As of 2019, Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems produces the gun.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bionix AFV</span> Singaporean infantry fighting vehicle

The Bionix (BX) is a family of tracked Singaporean armoured fighting vehicles developed by ST Kinetics. Intended to augment the Singapore Army's aging M113 armoured personnel carriers, it is the first indigenous armoured vehicle to be developed in Southeast Asia. The Bionix has been operational with the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) since 1999 in a wide variety of adaptations including the Bionix II, Bionix 25 and Bionix 40/50 variants.

A huge number of M113 armored personnel carrier variants have been created, ranging from infantry carriers to nuclear missile carriers. The M113 armored personnel carrier has become one of the most prolific armored vehicles of the second half of the 20th century, and continues to serve with armies around the world in many roles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RG-33</span> Infantry Mobility Vehicle

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

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dragoon 300</span> Amphibious Armoured Vehicle

The Dragoon 300 AFV was produced by Arrowpointe Corporation during the 1980s. It was based on the automotive components of the United States Army's M113 APCs and 5-ton trucks. It resembles a larger V-150 Commando.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shipunov 2A42</span> Soviet autocannon

The Shipunov 2A42 is a Soviet/Russian 30 mm autocannon. It is built by the Tulamashzavod Joint Stock Company and named after A. G. Shipunov.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BTR-3</span> Eight-wheel drive armored personnel carrier

The BTR-3 is an eight-wheel drive armored personnel carrier developed in 2000 and 2001 by an international consortium. The companies involved in the project include the Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau of Ukraine, Adcom Systems of Abu-Dhabi, UAE, and the State Scientific Technical Centre of Artillery & Rifle Arms of Ukraine. Although somewhat similar in appearance to the Soviet BTR-80, the BTR-3U is an all-new production vehicle rather than an update of the existing in-service vehicle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RBY Mk 1</span> Reconnaissance vehicle

The RBY Mk 1 is a light armoured reconnaissance vehicle that was produced by the RAMTA Division of Israel Aircraft Industries. RBY is an anglicized acronym for "Rechev Ben-Yaacov". "Rechev" is Hebrew for "vehicle" and "Ben-Yaacov" is the last name of the creator of the vehicle, Yitzchak Ben-Yaacov (1919-2011).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RG-35</span> MRAP (armored vehicle)

RG-35, is a South African mine resistant ambush protected vehicle developed by Land Systems OMC, a subsidiary of BAE Systems. The RG-35 was introduced in 2009 as a 6x6 vehicle, and a 4x4 version is also under development with the designers intending to make it a new family of vehicles. Described by BAE Systems as a "new class of vehicle" combining the capabilities of a 4x4 mine protected vehicle and a 8x8 combat vehicle, the RG-35 can be utilized in a variety of roles, including command, ambulance or recovery vehicle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Armoured fighting vehicles of the Irish Army</span>

Throughout its history, the Irish Army has used a number of armoured fighting vehicles.

RG41, is a South African 8x8 armored fighting vehicle (AFV) with mine resistant protection developed by Land Systems OMC, a subsidiary of BAE Systems. The RG41 was designed as an affordable modern AFV can be utilized in a variety of roles, including infantry section vehicle, a command vehicle, an ambulance, recovery vehicle and engineer vehicle. Its large payload capability allows additional armour to be added to the RG41 and a variety of weapon systems such as the Alliant Techsystems's 25mm M242 Bushmaster mounted in a tactical response turret, the TRT-25 remote weapon station (RWS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TRT-25 remote weapon station</span> Auto-cannon

The TRT-25 is a Remote weapon station (RWS) made by BAE Systems Land Systems South Africa incorporating a M242 Bushmaster 25 mm Auto-cannon. The turret is designed as a self-protection and fire support weapon for Light Armored Vehicles (LAV), Medium Mine Protected Vehicles (MMPV) and Infantry Combat Vehicles (ICV). Launched at Eurosatory in Paris in June 2010 when the turret was displayed for the first time on the Company’s new RG41 vehicle. It was described as "A low cost solution for both offensive and defensive situations, with simple-to-use operator interface and suitable for almost any encounter,” by Dennis Morris, president of BAE Systems Global Tactical Systems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oerlikon KBA</span> Swiss autocannon

The Oerlikon KBA is a 25 mm (25×137mm) autocannon, developed as a close range multipurpose weapon for the mechanised battlefield, originally made by Oerlikon and currently produced in Rheinmetall Italia S.p.A. facilities. It is a positively locked breech, gas and recoil operated cannon with a rotating bolt head and a dual-belt selective feed system taking a 25mm NATO cartridge. The rate of fire in burst mode is up to 600 rounds per minute but it can be adjusted electronically and reduced to single shot or a selectable range from 100 up to 175 rounds per minute.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DefTech AV8</span> Malaysian armoured combat vehicle

The DefTech AV8Gempita (Thunder) is an amphibious multirole armoured vehicle developed by Malaysian defence company DefTech with the assistance of Turkey defence company FNSS. The Gempita resembles some of the Turkey FNSS Pars design and technology. The vehicle has a modular design which allows the fitting of different turrets, weapons, sensors, and communications systems on the same vehicle.

DRB-HICOM Defence Technologies Sdn Bhd, officially known as DEFTECH, is a Malaysian defence contractor involved in the development, manufacture, supply, deliver and commissioning of armoured, non-armoured, and logistic vehicles for the military and homeland security. DEFTECH is also a supplier of specialised vehicles and commercial buses.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "RG34 Multi Purpose Mine Protected Vehicle (MPMPV), South Africa". army-technology.com. 2009. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  2. "Defense Update: BAE Systems Introduces the RG-34 Light Armored Vehicle, 6/4/2009". 4 July 2009. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
  3. "New model for SA armoured vehicle company". Engineeringnews.co.za. 7 July 2009. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  4. 1 2 Camp, Steve; Helmoed-Römer, Heitman (November 2014). Surviving the Ride: A pictorial history of South African Manufactured Mine-Protected vehicles. Pinetown: 30 Degrees South. p. 241. ISBN   978-1928211-17-4.
  5. "BAE Systems acquires S African designed Iguana light armoured vehicle". Frontier India. 24 June 2009. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  6. DefenceWeb: BAE Systems announces RG34, 6/23/2009
  7. Guy Martin (2 July 2012). "Nigeria to unveil indigenous armoured personnel carrier" . Retrieved 4 November 2014.
  8. Guy Martin (4 July 2012). "Nigeria opens ballistic armour factory; showcases first indigenous APC" . Retrieved 4 November 2014.
  9. "Легка бронемашина Iguana FV4 - Військова панорама". wartime.org. 19 December 2011. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  10. 1 2 "BAE Systems Buys South African Iguana LAV. Is it the Deftech AV4 in Drag? - Malaysian Defence".