BAE Systems to debut mine resistant personnel vehicle at the AAD 2008

BAE Systems’ Land Systems OMC, has launched the RG31 Mk6E at the African Aerospace & Defence 2008 show in Cape Town. The RG31 Mk6E is the latest version of the company’s explosive mine resistant personnel carrier RG series of vehicles, which are manufactured in Johannesburg. The RG31 is a 4x4 mine-protected vehicle with a V-shaped hull that protects the crew against anti piercing rifle fire, anti-tank mine detonations, and a number of improvised explosive devices. “We are confident that this latest development, will further entrench our South African business as the world’s leader in mine protected vehicle technology,” said Land Systems South Africa MD Johan Steyn. The RG31 Mk6E incorporates anti-mine seats, which provide enhanced protection to the occupants from lumbar spinal injuries caused by the shock-waves associated with land mine detonations. The seats incorporate shock attenuation crushable elements developed at Land Systems OMC. Land Systems OMC’s RG-series of products have boosted South African exports by more than R3,5-billion, since the company received a Canadian armed forces order for RG31 Mk3 vehicles in 2003. Steadily increasing orders for vehicles, spares and support from new customers around the globe have also boosted exports. “The RG series builds on the three decades of experience we have gained in South Africa, through vehicles such as the Casspir, Mamba and Mfezi. Its success is a result of our ongoing investment into ever improving the vehicle’s protection levels. We achieve this by applying new concepts and designs influenced by customer and operator feedback and simulation,” explained Steyn. Since 2004, Land Systems OMC has sold over 2 200 RG31 vehicles, including a series of major orders for the US military, which operates both the RG31 and its stable-mate RG33, in Afghanistan and Iraq. Of these, more than 1 300 RG31 mine-protected vehicles have been delivered to the US and Canadian forces. Another 984 RG31 Mk5E vehicles were currently on order with production under way in the US. “In addition to ongoing US orders, several European countries are expressing interest in RG31 mine-protected vehicle for their forces,” the company said.