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Canadian American
Strategic Review |
CASR |
Background |
Background |
Background |
A
Modest |
DND 101 |
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Background — Armoured Patrol Vehicle Candidates — RG-31 Nyala |
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Even if the ‘RG-31’ designation is rather alien, the name Nyala is familiar to Canadians – the
RG-31 is simply the current production model of the South African route-proving Nyala. [1] It is no surprise
that the CF APV contest was won by the RG-31 considering that vehicle’s commonality with the
in-service Nyalas (and the Mamba which preceded
them). The RG-31 retains its predecessors’ mine-resistant hull and lightly-armoured sides.
Where it differs is in armament: gun ports in its armour glass augment a Remote Weapons Station.[2]
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The RWS (a Kongsberg M151) is the same system used on US Strykers [3] and has already been
integrated into the RG-31. The speed with which the CF APV contest was held is probably the reason for
the non-standard RWS (unless there are unreported problems with the Protected eapons Station). Like the PWS, the RWS
can mount an M2HB, C6 or
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The steel hull protects against rifle- calibre bullets but, more importantly, against mines and IEDs
(improvised explosive devices). RG-32s are large vehicle. At a glance, the RG-31 may look like an SUV but
the new APVs (which are based on Unimog trucks) dwarf the underarmoured G-wagon. Like the |
[1] The nomenclature is more than a little confusing. The makers have applied the name Nyala to both this
evolution of the Mamba and to their larger RG-12 riot-control vehicle (some sources also apply
‘Nyala’ to the lighter RG-32 although it is properly referred to
as a Scout ). Small wonder then that the US chose new names – Charger for the US Army and
Armadillo for the USN (although US troops are reputed to have dubbed it ‘Blastrider’ ).
GDLS gets around this convoluted naming game by describing it as a “Mine Protected Tactical Vehicle”. |