BAE Systems in South Africa has developed a purpose built mine protected vehicle that delivers the balance between firepower, survivability and tactical mobility that troops will require in the future.

The RG35 RPU is a modern, yet ruggedly dependable tactical 4x4 vehicle that is purpose built for multiple missions, a statement said.

While the reconnaissance variant can be equipped with light and medium turrets, as well as direct and indirect-fire weapons, it can power its way through the toughest terrain, taking troops to wherever the mission is, the statement added.

The vehicle can easily be modified a number of ways to transport cargo, conduct routine patrols, or be outfitted with cameras and other electronics for surveillance missions.

“No matter the mission, ensuring that troops make it to and from their home base safely is paramount,” said Chris Chambers, vice president and general manager of BAE Systems’ Tactical Wheeled Vehicles business.

“With the RG35 RPU, we’ve developed a unique armour protected capsule, integrating decades of expertise and experience that we call the ‘crew citadel.’ It is designed to shield troops inside the vehicle from mine blasts, road side bombs and gunfire while ensuring they can fulfill their missions effectively.”

The RG35 is an open architecture fit for many applications and is currently being adapted to suit the Canadian Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle (TAPV) programme.

As the business moves forward submitting its formal proposal with the proven hardware in response to the TAPV RFP, the team has coined the tagline “mission complete” to succinctly and simply describe the RG35 RPU’s value proposition.

“What’s mission complete?  It’s delivering true value to the customer, throughout its life: providing troops with enhanced crew protection; delivering the tactical mobility required across extreme terrain and multiple missions and, specifically for the TAPV program, built and supported in Canada, for Canada. That’s mission complete, and that’s the RG35 RPU,” added Chambers.

The RG35 RPU is a 4X4 mine protected multi-mission tactical wheeled vehicle. It measures approximately 5.2 metres in length, 2.6 metres in width, and 2.5 metres in height, with a ground clearance of 414 millimetres.

The RG35 RGU’s gross vehicle mass is 21,000kg with a payload of 3,000kg and seats driver plus nine crew members. – TradeArabia News Service