- Yes
- No
Description/History:
The RN-94 is a 6x6 amphibious APC that was developed as a joint private venture between Romanian companies: S N Romarm SA Filiala S C Moreni and Turkish companies: Nurol Machinery and Industry Co Inc in 1994, with the first prototype being completed in 1995. 3 prototypes would be built, 2 in Romania and one in Turkey. Some time after the Turkish Land Forces commissioned a requirment for 1,000 new wheeled APCs to replace their old BTR’s. The contenders for this was the RN-94, the MOWAG Piranha, and Otokar Cobra.
The RN-94 utilized many components from the earlier TAB-77 APC, and at that time it held very close resemblance to many older soviet era BTR’s, one thing that is interesting about the vehicle however is unlike earlier BTR’s which have their engine in the rear, meaning their troops have to dismount from the sides, the engine on the RN-94 is placed just behind the driver and commander, and the turret behind the engine. An unusual set up, but it allowed troops to dismount from the rear. It could carry 11 fully equipped soldiers. The RN-94s armor was capable of providing all round ballistic protection against 7.62mm armor-piercing rounds, with slightly better frontal protection. The vehicle was advertised to be able to have increased protection at the cost of amphibious capability.
After initial trials in Turkey were complete, in 1997 the Turkish Land Forces placed an order for 5 pre-production vehicles, which Romania had delivered in 1998. These 5 vehicles would differ slightly from the 3 earlier prototypes, the most obvious change being a slight alteration to its shape, giving it an overall better ballistic profile, especially frontally, and no longer resembled its BTR, and TAB ancestors quite as closely.
Top image shows the original appearance of the RN-94, and the bottom image shows the newer design.
Each of the 5 prototypes were given different armaments in order to test the vehicles performance in a variety of roles, the armaments included: one with a 40mm grenade launcher mounted onto a Kollmorgen Compact Lightweight Armored Weapon Station (CLAWS), two with a Turkish gunners cupola mounting an M2 Browning HMG, and two more fitted with the General Dynamics Dragon turret also utilizing the M2 Browning. Later on the Turkish Land forces would also procure a 120mm mortar variant, with the mortar being provided by MKEK, and the recoil system provided by the Israeli company Soltam Systems. Also Nurol Machinery and Industry Co designing a battlefield surveillance variant
Images of RN-94s with the Dragon turret, Turkish cupola, and mortar system.
Later on however, the Turkish Land Forces decided to fit the RN-94 with a Nexter Systems Dragar turret which was licensed produced by Turkey, (this is the variant this suggestion is focused on). The Dragar is a one man operated turret armed with a 25mm M811 dual-feed autocannon. The turret is designed to be as small and lightweight as possible in order to reduce any negative side effects the added weight of the turret could cause such as reduced mobility or loss of amphibious capability, while still maintaining adequate survivability due to good ballistic protection for its size, and low profile. The turret also has an all-electric drive paired with a 2 plain stabilizer, making the turret safe for the crew, and responsive. thus its a very versatile and adaptable weapon system that has been used on a wide range of AFVs.
Spoiler
Unfortunate for the RN-94, though Turkey was impressed by the vehicles performance, no production orders would be placed, and in the end, Bangladesh would be the only country to purchase the RN-94, buying 9 armored ambulance variants from Romania for peacekeeping duties. The Romanians would continue to show off the RN-94 to potential buyers in Expomil 2003, and 2007, with marketing for the vehicle ceasing around 2012.
This wouldn’t mark the end of the RN-94s legacy however, as Turkish engineers had used the experience gained from co developing the RN-94 to build the Nurol Edjer 6x6 APC, which the Turks would produce between 78-90 units, and sell some to Georgia.
Spoiler
Image above is the Nurol Edjer in Georgian service.
Where this vehicle would fit in the game:
Though this vehicle could of course make for a nice premium for one of the currently in game nations, I think the best place for it would be within either a Turkish, or Romanian (sub) Tech-Tree, as this vehicle could have a solid argument for why it could go with either nation.
For Romania, the obvious reason for it fitting within its tree is due to the fact that they are the original designers of the APC, additionally, though there is a RN-94 variant with the OWS-25R turret, Romania also has 3 other AFVs which share the exact same turret. that being the Zimbru 2000, MLI-84M, and MLVM-M, so this vehicle would allow the RN-94 to stand out from that crowd.
On the other hand, this vehicle was co developed by Turkey, is a part of a pre-production batch that Turkey ordered, and tested, and is fitted with a turret that is license produced by them, so it also makes perfect sense for Turkey to get this vehicle in game.
Specifications:
Spoiler
| Weight (kg) | 12880 |
|---|---|
| Crew | 3 |
| Troops | 11 |
| Configuration | 6 x 6 |
| Number of drive wheels | 6 |
| Length (mm) | 6785 |
| Width (mm) | 2800 |
| Height (mm) | 2340 |
| Track (mm) | 2460 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 3400 |
| Ground clearance (mm) | 450 |
| Max. road speed (km/h) | 95 |
| Max. water speed (km/h) | 9 |
| Power-to-weight ratio (h.p./t) | 18.6 |
| Max. road range (km) | 500 |
| Main weapon caliber (mm) | 25mm |
| Auxiliary gun calibre (mm) | 7.62mm |
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