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Introduction:
The Vehicle:
During 2008 the South African defence firm Land Systems OMC started the RG41 project to meet the increasing demand for a mine protected vehicles in the modern combat environment. The RG41 is an 8x8 mine resistant infantry fighting vehicle, with the capability of equipping different weapon platforms. Other RG41 variants which was also developed, included a infantry section vehicle, a command vehicle, ambulance, recovery vehicle and engineer vehicle. During 2010 BAE Land Systems OMC would unveil RG41 for the first time at the Eurosatory Defence expo in France. After the initial reveal the RG41 would continue to make multiple appearances at the African Aerospace and Defence expo (AAD) and at the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX). The RG41 project now part of the South African defence firm Denel has been fitted with a variety of turrets over the years, such as the TRT-25, TRT-30, LCT-30, RCG30, ALRRT-4M and the T7 turret. However for this forum post we will focus on the RG41 equipped with the T7 turret from Denel which was unveiled at the 2024 AAD.
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The Turret:
During the 1990’s, under Project Musuku, the South African defence firm Denel was tasked with developing a 105mm artillery system with range, accuracy, and lethality similar to or better than 155mm artillery systems. This resulted in the development of the Light Experimental Ordnance (LEO), occasionally referred to as the G7 which was a 105mm artillery cannon. The LEO stood out from other 105mm artillery as it was capable of firing rounds up to 30 km at sea level. In 2000, the LEO was revealed for the first time at the African Aerospace and Defence expo (AAD). In the early 2000’s Denel would take a step further by developing a turret for the LEO which could be mounted on armoured vehicles. This new turret from Denel would be designated the T7 and would be equipped with an autoloader, allowing a fire rate of up to 6 rounds per minute and having the ability for direct fire.
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Specifications:
Main Armament: LEO 105mm
Ammunition Type: APFSDS, PFF HE, HE, Smoke
Total Ammunition: 30 Rounds
Turret Elevation: -5 to +75
Crew: 4 (Driver, Radio Operator, Gunner, Commander)
Protection: STANAG 4569 Level 2
Add on Armour: Optional to STANAG Level 4/5
Top Speed: 100km/h
Engine: Deutz (2015TCD V6)
Maximum Power: 390 kW @ 2,100 rpm
Maximum Torque: 2,130 Nm @ 1,300 rpm
Gross Vehicle Mass: 28,000 kg
Transmission : 5-speed with integral 2-speed drop-down
Drive: 8x8
Length (hull): 7,780 mm
Width (hull): 2,800 mm
Height (hull): 2,380 mm
Ground clearance 440 mm
Sources:
DENEL VEHICLE SYSTEMS RG41(2015): http://admin.denel.co.za/uploads/70fce552c51baef8583020949d31cd77.pdf
Denel Land Systems (Artillery): Artillery | Denel Land Systems
DefenceWeb: AAD 2024 is Denel public debut as Department of Defence entity - defenceWeb
DefenceWeb: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/land/land-land/bae-systems-announces-8x8-rg41/
DefenceWeb: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/land/land-land/denel-land-systems-leo-leaps-forward/
DefenceWeb: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/land/land-land/denel-still-pursuing-leo-artillery-project/
Army Recognition: https://armyrecognition.com/military-products/army/artillery-vehicles-and-weapons/self-propelled-howitzers/lav-ii-t7-105-mm-south-africa-uk#google_vignette
RG41 wheeled armoured combat vehicle: https://youtu.be/eRHdsdXBFt4?si=VKgYhF9PfTq81QIP
AAD 2018: RG41 Wheeled armoured combat vehicle - Denel: https://youtu.be/dVzdFLDZD_4?si=C9TQNG3auXI8bOah
IDEX 2019: RG41 Wheeled Armoured Combat Vehicle: https://youtu.be/6so4asQw7CM?si=nXBAoMAoOrawdHAh
Inside the RG41: https://youtu.be/sOopk34el4E?si=xFM1PG_U2V52lsAS
Book: Surviving The Ride written by Steve Camp & Helmoed Romer Heitman (195 -196)
US Army to Evaluate SA Self-propelled gun prototype (2004):
G7 LEO :
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Denel’s G7"
105mm PFF HE vs 155mm HE
Denel IGALA Ammunition:
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PFF HE
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AAD 2024
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