RG-31

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RG-31 Charger
RG-31 Mk3A
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.

Contents 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]

• Ivorian Civil War
• Ivory Coast - UNOCI
• Kosovo - KFOR
• Lebanon - UNIFIL

[edit] References

1. ^ Canadians escape suicide blast (including images)

[edit] External links

• RG-31 at army-guide.com
• RG-31 Program Update
• Suicide bomber injures Afghan in attack on Canadian troops

[edit] See also

Other wheeled APCs and IFVs developed in South Africa

• RG-33
• RG-32
• RG-12
• Mamba APC
• Puma APC (South African, new construction similar to Mamba [4])
• Ratel IFV
• Casspir
• Buffel

General

• Infantry fighting vehicle
• List of AFVs