RG-31 Nyala

RG-31 Mk3A
RG-31 Charger
Type	Armored fighting vehicle, MRAP
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-protected infantry mobility vehicle manufactured in South Africa by Land Systems OMC, a division of BAE Systems. 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.^[2] The vehicle is designed to resist a blast equivalent to two TM-57 anti-tank mines detonating simultaneously.^[3] 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]}

Production history

Variants

Variants come in either an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) or utility vehicle (Cargo) configurations.^[4]

• RG-31 Mk3A - based on Mamba APC
• RG-31 Mk5^[5]
• 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.^[2]

Operators

Spanish RG-31 Nyala prepare to depart Forward Operating Base Bernardo de Galvez for a patrol through the town of Sang Atesh.

A UN RG-31 in Iraq.

Iraqi National Police armored vehicles line up for a convoy at Joint Security Station Beladiyat.

•  Canada:
  • Canadian Forces
    • 75 RG-31 Mk3 with Protector (RWS) Remote Weapon Station
  • London Police Service
    • 1x RG-31 Mk3A, currently used by the Emergency Response Team
  • Durham Regional Police Service
    • 1x RG-31 Mk3A, Tactical Rescue Vehicle donated by General Dynamics to the Tactical Response Unit
•  Colombia:
  • National Army of Colombia
    • 4× RG-31 Nyala
•  Spain: 150× RG-31 Mk5E Nyala with Samson remote Weapon Station (+ option for 30 more) already deployed in Lebanon and Afghanistan.
•  Mali: 5× RG-31 Nyala
•  Nigeria: 1× RG-31 Nyala
•  Indonesia
•  Iraq
•  South Africa
•  Rwanda: 6× RG-31 Nyala
•  Swaziland: 7× RG-31 Nyala Mk5E, currently used by the Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force (USDF).^[6]
•  United Arab Emirates: 76× customized RG-31 Mk5
•  United Nations: 30× RG-31 Nyala
•  United States:
  • US SOCOM
    • 50× Mk5A1S
  • US Army
    • 148× RG-31 Mk3 Charger,
    • 257× Mk5A1^[7]
    • 111× Mk5E^[8]
  • USMC
    • 12× Mk5A's (MRAP Cat I)
    • 1385× Mk5E's (MRAP Cat II)^[9][10][11]
  • Academi

Combat history

RG-31 Nyala damaged by a mine

RG-31 blown in half by an IED.

• Afghanistan – Canada, (including 5 leased to Netherlands) (ISAF), United States, and Spain^[12]
• Bosnia and Herzegovina – UNPROFOR
• Ethiopia / Eritrea – Canada
• Georgia –- UN
• Iraq – United States
• Colombian Armed Conflict
• Ivorian Civil War
• Ivory Coast – UNOCI
• Kosovo – KFOR
• Lebanon – UNIFIL
• Uganda - Uganda People's Defence Forces

See also

Other wheeled APCs and IFVs developed in South Africa

• Buffel
• Casspir
• Mamba APC
• Ratel IFV
• RCV-9
• RG-12
• RG-19
• RG-32
• RG-33
• RG-34
• RG-35

General

• Infantry fighting vehicle
• List of AFVs
• MRAP (armored vehicle)

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to RG-31 Nyala.

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