- Yes
- No
History
The RG35 is a family of the South African mine resistant ambush protected vehicles developed in 2009 by Land Systems OMC, a subsidiary of BAE Systems.
The vehicle’s first public appearance was in September 2009 at the Defence Systems and Equipment International (DSEi) exhibition in London. It was a 6x6 variant. The next RG35 4x4 was already in development and was ready in 2011.
In 2012 at the Africa Aerospace and Defence Exhibition (AAD) was shown the first heavy armed RG35 6x6 IFV variant with the TRT-25.
In 2014 at Eurosatory was shown the last vehicle of the RG35 family, called MIV (Motorised Infantry Vehicle). It was an extended 4X4 version.
In 2015 RG35 IFV was chosen to be the demonstrator for the TRT-R30 turret. It even became the cover for the TRT-R30 brochure.
Despite desperate attempts to advertise the RG35 family, no one bought them. It did not find a place even in the domestic market. This vehicle could have remained as many other vehicles without successful operational history. But in November 2015, UAE company NIMR Automotive bought the rights of RG35. The vehicle was modernized for the needs of the UAE. RG35 received a new name: “Jais” and was adopted into the service.
Vehicle design
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RG35 design is based on the development experience of RG31 and Iklwa.
From RG31 it takes MRAP capabilities, and the idea of covering the vehicle’s exterior space by storages.
From Iklwa the RG35 has a side mounted powerpack. This design solution increases the internal volume and allows to change powerpack in less than 1 hour.
The RG35 was developed as cross-over between APC and IFV: high protection, huge internal volume, high payload, excellent survivability, and capability of carrying heavy weapons.
Modularity allows to customise vehicle for any role.
RG35 Specifications
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Dimensions:
Length 7,161 mm
Width 2,600 mm
Height 2,658 mm
Hump radius 1,924 mm
Wheelbase 1,550 / 3,030 mm
Ground clearance 420 mm
Angle of approach (min) 53°
Angle of departure (min) 44°
Mass:
Tare (basic) 15,500 kg
Payload 8,500 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) 24,000 kg
Volume under armour 12 m3
Seating
Driver + 13
The commander sits next to the driver, the gunner sits behind the commander, next to the engine.
Maximum speed 105 km/h
Gradeability >60%
Turning circle/radius - 16m/8m
Step climbing 600 mm
Trench crossing 1,050 mm
Protection Levels:
Ballistic protection Up to STANAG
4569 A Level 4 (against 14.5×114mm API / B32 at 200 meters with 911 ± 20 m/s)
Mine protection Up to STANAG
4569 B Level 4A/4B
IED side protection level undisclosed
Spall liner
Engine:
Cummins ISL
Maximum power 336 kW / 450 hp
Maximum torque 1,620 Nm @ 1,995 lbf.ft
Transmission:
ZF HP602; 6-speed automatic
Transfer Case: BAE Systems (Gear Ratio)
2-speed; permanent
Steering System:
ZF Servocom Hydraulically assisted
Axles: AxleTech
Spring damper: Hydro-pneumatic strut
Suspension: Double control arm, independent
4-stage ride height adjustment with max height increase: 250mm
Service brake: Wabco air actuated disc brakes
Emergency brake:
Spring actuated Pneumatic release;
60% gradeability
Road Wheels and Tyres:
Michelin 16.00R20 XZL
Run-flat Hutchinson RFI
CTIS Syegon 4-circuit
Electrical System:
Voltage 28V DC
Power generation Up to 600A
The RG35 had only two heavily armed modifications. In this suggestion I will talk about the TRT-R30 variant.
TRT-R30 is Tactical Remote Turret armed with 30mm 2A42. It has fast horizontal and vertical guidance. Also it has exceptional gun depression angles. In the front part of the turret there are 4 smoke grenades.
Cause of the high rate of fire, 2A42 autocannon has too low accuracy. One of the solutions for this problem can be a barrel support, which holds the barrel and provides a greatly increased accuracy.
But this technical solution is rarely used. Only 3/8 vehicles with the TRT-R30 were supplied with the barrel support. Fortunately, the RG35 TRT-R30 is one of this 3. The other two are RG31 Mk.5E Ibululu and HAFEET 640A Gun truck.
TRT-R30 Specifications
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Dual feed Cannon: 30mm 2A42
300 ready rounds
Co-axial machine gun: 7.62 mm
1000 ready rounds
Dimensions:
Height < 1 120mm
< 1 420mm incl sight
Sweep radius < 1 500mm excl Barrel
Weight 900 kg – 1 800 kg (complete with
weapons & ammunition depending
on configuration and protection)
Operational Envelope
Traverse 360º
Elevation -15º to +55º
Performance:
Traverse speed 55º/s
Elevation speed 55º/s
Fully stabilised for observation
and accurate firing on the move
Auto track with manual video
lock-on
Sighting System:
An independent stabilized sight provides silent
all round surveillance. Fitted with state of the art
electro-optics having its range and
effectiveness determined by the choice of
weapons. Targets can typically be identified at
4 000 m by day and >3 000 m during night
conditions.
Day Continuous zoom 2.5 º to 22.5 º
Thermal Continuous zoom 2.5 º to 22.5 º
Thermal (IR) camera for detection of target at >
12 000 m at night (Various options)
Laser range finder > 10 km with 5m accuracy
(Eye safe according to IEC 60825-1 Class 1)
Operator Control Unit:
The MMI is integrated with the ballistic computer
offering a space-saving solution inside the vehicle
Video interface with 10.4” LCD touch screen
display (mounted at any location inside the vehicle)
User-defined “game-boy”, yoke or joystick
control mechanisms
Ballistic calculations with manual entry of
environmental parameters
Protection:
Optional depending on user application
I think RG35 TRT-R30 could bring to the game an interesting combination of the fast wheeled vehicle, high-lying good autocannon with the best gun depression. Barrel support will be also a wonderful bonus.
More pictures
Sources
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Wikipedia:“STANAG 4569”
STANAG 4569 - Wikipedia
Baesystems official website:
“BAE Systems Debuts Latest RG35 Mult-Role Fighting Vehicle at Africa Aerospace and Defence Exhibition”
https://www.baesystems.com/en/article/bae-systems-debuts-latest-rg35-multrole-fighting-vehicle-at-africa-aerospace-and-defence-exhibition
Armyrecognition:“BAE Systems debuts Latest RG35 multi role fighting vehicle at the AAD 2012 exhibition”
BAE Systems Debuts Latest RG35 Multi-Role Fighting Vehicle at AAD 2012 Defence Exhibition 1909122
Armyrecognition:“RG35 6x6”
RG35 6x6
YouTube:“RG35 MIV”
https://youtu.be/HCVwBPKEGqA?si=kjt_snqAUOcy98Sf
YouTube:“AAD 2016 TRT-R30”
https://youtu.be/-M8f3RCAPlk?si=gSgl1wZan7t6zme3
