RG-33 explained

RG-33 (standard four wheel variant)
Origin:	South Africa
Type:	Infantry Mobility Vehicle
Is Vehicle:	yes
Service:	2007  - present
Used By:	United States Army United States Marine Corps Croatian Army
Wars:	Global War on Terrorism
Designer:	Land Systems OMC
Manufacturer:	BAE Systems Land Systems South Africa
Unit Cost:	$300,000
Variants:	RG-33 (4x4)
Length:	22.1feet
Width:	8feet
Height:	9.5feet
Crew:	4 + 2 crew
Armour:	monocoque v-hull
Primary Armament:	Optional armored glass turret or remote weapon station
Engine:	Cummins 400 I6 Diesel
Engine Power:	400hp
Transmission:	Allison 3200
Suspension:	4x4 Double wishbone suspension
Clearance:	14inches

RG-33L (six wheel extended variant)
Is Vehicle:	yes
Used By:	US Army US Marines Croatian Army
Wars:	Global War on Terrorism
Designer:	Land Systems OMC
Manufacturer:	BAE Systems Land Systems South Africa
Unit Cost:	$630,000
Production Date:	October 2006 (RG-33L)^[1]
Variants:	RG-33L (6x6)
Length:	28feet
Width:	8feet
Height:	9.5feet
Crew:	8 + 2 crew
Armour:	monocoque v-hull
Primary Armament:	Optional armored glass turret or remote weapon station
Engine:	Cummins 400 Turbo Diesel
Engine Power:	400hp
Transmission:	Allison 3200
Fuel Capacity:	80 gal
Suspension:	6x6 Double wishbone suspension
Clearance:	14inches

The RG-33 is a mine-resistant light armored vehicle initially designed by BAE Systems Land Systems South Africa (formerly Land Systems OMC), a South African subsidiary of BAE Systems. BAE Systems in the US extensively modified it with additional protection, new powertrain, and suspension systems. It was built in a number of locations including York, Pennsylvania. It was one of several vehicles being fielded by the US Armed Forces in Iraq under the MRAP program.

Overview

It is based on the RG-31, which itself is based on the Mamba APC, although it is roughly twice the weight of a RG-31. There are two variants, the standard RG-33 has four wheels and weighs 22 tons while the extended RG-33L variant has six wheels, can carry twice as many people in the back, and weighs 26 to 37 tons depending on the version.

It was selected to be the sole producer of the US Army's $2.88 billion Medium Mine Protected Vehicle program.^{[2] [3]} The initial contract is worth $20 million. BAE representative Doug Coffey says that live-fire testing at Aberdeen, Maryland, proved the RG-33 to be the overall most survivable MRAP vehicle.^[4]

The RG33 is manufactured in several configurations including the category I 4×4, category II 6×6, the heavy armored ground ambulance (HAGA) and the special operations command (SOCOM) vehicle.^[5]

Design

It features a monocoque armoured v-hull, for maximized interior space, seats and footrests suspended from the ceiling, run-flat tires, and an optional armored glass turret (Gunner Protection Kit or GPK), for maximized visibility and protection. The monocoque hull does not extend under the engine like some other armoured vehicles. The engine compartment is a separate monocoque structure that bolts to rest of the hull. The vehicle is notable for its extensive use of TRAPP armored glass in the crew compartment. Like the Buffalo, it can be equipped with a robotic arm.

The U.S. has fielded 259 RG-33 4x4 variants in a Special Operations Command (SOCOM) configuration as shown above with remote weapon stations, two extra seats, and a rear door assist.^[6] The U.S. has also fielded 16 RG-33L 6x6 variants in a Heavy Armoured Ground Ambulance (HAGA) configuration.^[7]

The Pentagon has future plans to add the Crows II remote weapon station, Boomerang anti-sniper system, and the Frag Kit 6 anti-EFP armour.

Production history

• On 26 January 2007, four (2 of each variant) RG-33s were delivered to the United States Marine Corps for testing.
• On 14 February, an order for 15 MRAP Cat 1 RG-33s and 75 MRAP Cat 2 RG-33Ls was placed under an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity contract.^[8]
• On 28 June, BAE received a $235.8M order for 16 RG-33 Cat 1 patrol vehicles, 239 RG-33L Cat 2 vehicles, 170 RG-33 Cat 1 variants for the United States Special Operations Command, out of their total allotment of 333 vehicles, and 16 RG-33L Cat 2 Ambulance variants, which are the first vehicles in the competition specifically listed for the ambulance role.^[9] The vehicle can be mission configured for a number of roles including Infantry Carrier, Ambulance, Command and Control, Convoy Escort and Explosive Ordnance Disposal. On 18/Oct, an additional order for 600 MRAPS was received, involving 399 RGL-33L Cat 2, 112 RGL-33L Cat 2 Ambulance variants and 89 RG-33 SOCOM for 322 Million dollars. On Dec/18/07 a further order for 600 RG-33L Cat 2 was awarded to BAE Systems, for 645 Million dollars. To date, this gives a total of 1,735 RG-33 vehicles being ordered by the US Military.
• On 2 December 2012, BAE received a $37.6 million contract to convert 250 RG-33L 6×6 vehicles up to the Medium Mine Protected Vehicle status. Differences include a rear ramp for deploying unmanned ground vehicles, a new heating and air conditioning system, larger modular interior, high mobility chassis, extensive equipment options, larger bullet-resistant windows, and 360-degree situational awareness suite.^[10]

Versions

• RG-33 (4×4)
• RG-33L (6×6)

Operators

• 10 RG-33L in service with the Burundi Army.^[11]

• Croatian Army^[12]

• Djiboutian Army - 10 RG-33 ^[13]

Egypt

• Egyptian Army - 260 RG-33L + 90 RG-33L HAGA ^{[14] [15]}

• Took delivery of 24 RG-33s after being refurbished.^[16]

• United States Army
• United States Marine Corps^[17]
• United States Special Operations Command

Uzbekistan

• Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan along with the border guard are known to be operators of the RG-33L^[18]

See also

• Buffel
• Casspir
• List of AFVs
• Mamba APC
• Matador (mine protected vehicle)
• Medium Mine Protected Vehicle - The U.S. Army Equivalent to the MRAP Program
• MRAP - U.S. Military Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle Program
• Nexter Aravis
• RCV-9
• RG-12
• RG-19
• RG-31
• RG-32
• RG-34
• RG-35

External links

• baesystemspresskit.com, (membership required to access/view)
• Deagel.com: RG-33

Notes and References

1. http://www.na.baesystems.com/releasesDetail.cfm?a=524 BAE SYSTEMS North America: News and Information: News Releases
2. Web site: BAE Systems - AUSA 2008 - RG33 Series Mine Protected Vehicles. 5 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141105131352/http://baesystemspresskit.com/ausa/_RG33_Series_Mine_Protected_Vehicles.cfm. 5 November 2014. dead.
3. Web site: 'Panther' designed to keep troops safer . Herald-mail.com . 2011-12-28 . 2012-01-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090630055012/http://www.herald-mail.com/?cmd=displaystory&story_id=225591&format=html . 30 June 2009 . live .
4. Web site: Diversity Adds Depth to MRAP . Military.com . 2012-01-01 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071023075326/http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,153979,00.html . 23 October 2007 . dmy-all .
5. Web site: RG33 Mine-Resistant Ambush Vehicle (MRAP) . Army Technology . 2011-06-15 . 2012-01-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100218112340/http://www.army-technology.com/projects/rg33-mrap/ . 18 February 2010 . live .
6. Web site: SOCOM variant. 5 November 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20141105134902/http://www.baesystemspresskit.com/ausa/_MRAP_Special_Operations_Command_Variant.cfm. 5 November 2014. dmy-all.
7. Web site: HAGA Variant. 5 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141105134738/http://www.baesystemspresskit.com/ausa/_Heavy_Armored_Ground_Ambulance.cfm. 5 November 2014. dead.
8. Web site: BAE's Diverse MRAP Orders . Defenseindustrydaily.com . 2011-12-18 . 2012-01-01.
9. Web site: BAE's Diverse MRAP Orders . Defense Industry Daily . 2011-12-18 . 2012-01-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070702163356/http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/bae-wins-2124m-mrap-order-mruv-ambulance-socom-03405/ . 2 July 2007 . live .
10. http://www.armyrecognition.com/december_2012_new_army_military_defence_industry/bae_systems_receives_a_contract_from_u.s._army_to_convert_rg33_mrap_into_mmpv_6x6_vehicle_0212121.html BAE receives contract to convert RG-33 MRAP into MMPV
11. Book: [[International Institute for Strategic Studies]]. 2021. The Military Balance. 453. 9781032012278.
12. 20 Vehicles Croatia takes delivery of 30 MRAP MaxxPro armoured donated by the United States Government - Armyrecognition.com, 10 April 2014
13. Web site: Djibouti Air Force gets two Y-12s; Dauphin helicopters. defenceWeb. 2016. 19 July 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160720164155/http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=44353:djibouti-air-force-gets-two-y-12s-dauphin-helicopters&catid=35:Aerospace&Itemid=107. 20 July 2016. live.
14. News: U.S. Delivers Armored MRAP Vehicles to Egyptian Military. 12 May 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160513110800/http://egypt.usembassy.gov/pr051216.html. 13 May 2016. dmy-all.
15. News: Excess Defense Articles (EDA). 13 May 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160517002019/http://www.dsca.mil/programs/excess-defense-articles-eda. 17 May 2016. live.
16. Web site: Internal Server Error. https://web.archive.org/web/20170622123315/http://www.janes.com/images/assets/520/71520/New-model_African_armies.pdf. 22 June 2017.
17. News: US Marines order 90 SA vehicles . 2007-02-20 . 2007-02-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070223014545/http://www.fin24.co.za/articles/default/display_article.aspx?Nav=ns&ArticleID=1518-1786_2072074 . 23 February 2007 . dead .
18. Web site: Uzbekistan’s Fighting Vehicles.