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Background – TAPV Project – BAE Land Systems OMC RG35 RPU |
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Update: 08 June 2012 – DND has announced that Textron Systems Canada has been awarded a $603M
contract as TAPV contest winner.
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RG35 RPU – a Cab-forward Cousin to the CF's RG-31 APV
One key vehicle to be replaced by DND's Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle is the CF's RG-31 APV bought specifically for the Afghan mission. BAE System's
South African armoured vehicle division[1] has offered two designs for TAPV – their upgraded version of
that APV, the RG31 Mk5 EM [2] and an impressive redesign of their newer RG35 specifically tailored to TAPV.
The original 6x6 RG35 demonstrator featured a two seat cab-forward type (with doors) and APV-style 'live'
axles.
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RG35 Reconnaisance, Patrol and Utility Vehicle
BAE Land Systems OMC's revised RG35 RPU – for TAPV's recce, patrol, and utility roles –
differs from its 6x6 progenitor in almost every way. Most noticeable is the shorter RG35 RPU's lowered hull and
narrower, more centred front cab (previously trialled with an experimental RG31 Nyala variant). The RG35
hull retains BAE Land Systems OMC's traditional 43° V-shaped hull although that's only detectable from behind
(right). Compared with the original 6x6, RPU 4x4 emphasis is mobility.
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"... small and indy and with street-cred ..." – AxleTech ISAS
The RG35 RPU replaces the 6x6's 'live' axles with the AxleTech 4500 series 'Independent Suspension Axle System'.
This is the same ISAS fitted to OMC's other TAPV entry – the RG31 Mk5 EM. [3] Somewhat ironically,
AxleTech is now a subsidiary of General Dynamics and, for TAPV, BAE Systems is competing with GDLS-Canada for TAPV.
A further irony is that GDLS-C is partnered with Oshkosh which makes the other independent axle system used
by OMC, the TAK-4.
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"Prepared for, but not Fitted With, an RWS"
One puzzle is what weapon systems RG35 RPU TAPVs would be equipped with. BAE Systems in South Africa offers
remote weapon systems; one for machineguns, the other for cannons.[4] Neither seems likely to be acceptable to the
CF which already has three RWS types in service. For our hypothetical TAPV (right ) we chose a Kongsberg Protector armed with the 40mm HK GMG as
per CASW. [5] TAPV's relatively light armament has been a criticism of the TAPV project from the outset. When
armed with the machinegun, TAPV firepower will be a slight improvement over the G-wagon, the
same as an APV, and much lighter than the Coyote.
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| Crew: |
3 crew (driver, gunner, veh.cdr.)
plus 7 dismounts |
| Armament: |
unspecified RWS: 1 x machinegun (or 40mm AGL) |
| Size: |
length: 5.27 m, width (min.): 2.69 m,
height: 2.55 m |
| Weight: |
combat (gross wt.): 21 tonnes, empty:
12.1 tonnes |
Powerplant:
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336 kW (450 hp) 8.9L Cummins ISL inline 6-cyl
[7],
Transmission: 6-spd ZF 6HP602 Ecomat automatic |
| Performance: |
speed: 90 km/h, grade 60%, turning circle 14.5m
[8] |
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[1] Here we refer to BAE's South African armoured vehicle division as 'BAE Land Systems OMC' for convenience. It is
normally refered to by the repetitive short-form BAE Systems Land Systems OMC. Technically, it should be BAE Systems
- Land Systems South Africa (Pty), one division of which is Land Systems OMC (formerly Alvis OMC, Vickers OMC,
Reumech OMC, and Olifant Manufacturing Company).
[2] The RG31 Mk5 EM is one of two 'Enhanced Mobility' variants. The other independant suspension RG31 Mk5 uses Oshkosh's
TAK-4.
[3] As a TAPV candidate, RG31 Mk5 EM will be covered separately with BAE's other entrant, the Swedish BAE Hägglunds
Alligator 6x6.
[4] The BAE Systems South Africa light-weight RWS is SD-ROW. The second South African RWS offering is the Tactical
Remote Turret. Sized for 20-to-30mm guns, the TRT-25 was trialled on 4x4 RG34s and 8x8 RG41s but the TRT series is
better suited to CCV than to TAPV.
[5] CASW was a long, drawn-out DND project to procure an automatic grenade launcher system complete with fancy
fire control system, IR sights, programmable munitions, etc. Originally the 'Company Area Suppression Weapon', now
the 'Close Area Suppression Weapon', CASW resulted in an order for 304 C16 AGLs. TAPV will have the
basic HK GWG weapon since RWS don't need the CASW electronics. Making obvious what was apparent all along, CASW
should have been a follow-on to a vehicle-mounted AGL not the other way around.
[6] Cummins Westport Inc. ISL G engine variants can run on diesel, biodiesel, CNG, LNG or biomethane; albeit at a
lower output – 320 hp.
[7] Military Cummins ISLs have variable geometry turbochargers. That VGT (and cetane/methane numbers) will
effect a multi-fuel engine.
[8] Turning circles are going to be an issue with larger TAPV contenders. For sake of comparison, turning circle for
the 6x6 RG35 was 15m.
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The RG35's engine bay is offset to port, the resulting asymmetry of the hull is obvious in the
head-on shot (right). In the interior, the engine
compartment impinges on the crew compartment. The
Cummins diesel isn't an engine type seen in CF armoured vehicles thus far. But there's a Canadian connection to
Cummins ISL 6-cyl engines. Vancouver-based Westport offers alternative fuel variants of this turbo-diesel. Multi-fuel
[6] isn't a TAPV requirement but burning less strategic fuels does provide DND with interesting
future options.
Driveline components linking that Cummins diesel to the ISAS suspension are a 6-speed ZF 6HP602
transmission (aka ZF-Ecomat 2+) similar to that in CF 
OMC 'sister' company – Gear Ratio, the same firm who provided CF APV transfer boxes. This RG35 RPU