Vehicles Built to Survive Mines & IEDs

Strategy Page ^ | January 22, 2006

[spetznaz]

Canada has bought fifty Nyala armored vehicles, to be used by troops it is sending to Afghanistan. The Nyala is a South African vehicles, costing about $2 million each (with support and spares), that was designed to resist landmines and roadside bombs. It was developed from the earlier Mamba armored personnel carrier, and has an excellent track record. The wheeled (4x4) vehicle weighs eight tons and can carry up to eleven people. The model Canada is getting (RG-31M), usually it operates with a crew of five, and a cargo area in the back. Before Canada, the UN and the United States were major users of the Nyala. Although armed only with a .50 caliber machine-gun, the Nyala earns its way by being the first one down roads suspected of being mined. The Nyala is becoming popular with NGOs operating in dangerous areas, as it does not look particularly military (if the machine-gun is removed), even through it is definitely a combat ready vehicle.

[spetznaz]

Seems like a good vehicle.

A US Marine Corps RG-31 Cougar rests on its front axel after an improvised explosive device detonated under the vehicle near Camp Taqaddum, Iraq, Jan. 6. The IED detonated directly under the vehicle; however, the blast was pushed outward instead of directly straight up due to the vehicle's “V” –shaped undercarriage. Of the five service members in the vehicle, two received concussions and two others received minor burns. (Photo by: Courtesy photo by 8th Engineer Support Battalion)

The RWS (a Kongsberg M151) is the same system used on US Strykers [3] and has already been integrated into the RG-31

[mosquewatch.com]

Wonderful, now let's start destroying the people that make the bombs, and stop putting a bandaid on a 3rd degree burn.

Jeff

[ikka]

I am pretty sure that Rhodesia designed some of these. I think I saw a link to the Pookies as they were called, by a former Rhodesian military member who posts on FR.

[DTogo]

Canada has a military?

[ExcursionGuy84]

If they've got their Creme-de-la-Creme World-Class Snipers, there's got to be some fighting-force within the Upper Country.

[Red6]

(Opinion)

The weapon station is modular and can be used on a wide range of platforms.

The US military already several systems lke this in it's inventory. Even the Up-armored HMMWV's have decent mine/IED protection. A styrker because of it's haul design and ground clearance (Over pressure dies of to the cube of radius - so distance from blast is paramount in how well the armour holds up).

The Army has been using special IED clearance trucks etc as well. We even had armored busses and the Marines have a nice armored 50 tonn truck.....

However- you can't armor against every threat from every possible angle. It's just not feasible. RPGs, IEDs, Rifle rounds, flame weapons, attack from top, sides, rear, front or bottom......... Even a M1 has it's greatest protection up front. It will stop most things on the side, but even a small RPG or 20mm cannon will penetrate it's rear (no K-Kill because the design is very good) but the vehicle is immobilized and out of the fight. The problem with these vehicles is that they only protect you against a certain kind of threat. Highly specialized against a mine they offer little against a RPG or larger caliber weapons. Often the roof has near no protection either. They are no FIX to the problem, but are just a dedicated system that brings new capabilities to the fight and can be added to the mix of tools for the commander. For an IED Route Clearance mission such a platform is well suited.

Red6

[yankeedame]

Canada has a military?

LOL! I was thinking along the same line!

"You mean, Canada's got enough military to use all fifty of these things??"

[Red6]

I meant to say 5 tonn NOT 50 tonn truck.

red6

[planetpatrol]

When Rummy and the various memebers of congress visit Iraq this is their ground transport, staffed with blackwater guys no doubt.

the rhino runner

http://www.labock.com/english/av_runner.htm

[DTogo]

Can't imagine the current regime up there rustling up enough money to pay for something like that. Thought they had more important "social spending" priorities. ;^)

[Wally_Kalbacken]

 

 

[Red6]

I saw those all over BIAP/Victory.

Red6

[BlueMondaySkipper]

You think you hate it now, but wait until you drive it.