The project of an armored transport vehicle Ratel Logistic (South Africa)

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Since the end of the seventies, South African armed forces have been actively exploiting the Ratel family of armored vehicles. Initially, an infantry combat vehicle was adopted, which later became the base modification for the new technology. Later, several other combat vehicles with various weapons and special equipment were created. Part of this technology is still in service. In the mid-eighties, an attempt was made to “teach” the Ratel armored vehicle to transport cargo.

The South African theater of war has a number of special features due to the peculiarities of the landscape and climate. All these specific factors impede the combat work of the troops. For effective combat, troops need timely delivery of ammunition, fuel, provisions, and drinking water. In addition, there is a high probability of setting up ambushes and mining the roads used in troop logistics. All this imposes specific requirements for the equipment that is planned to be used to supply the troops.

Working on the further development of the Ratel project, the South African company Sandock-Austral proposed its own version of a protected transport vehicle that could be used to supply the troops with all the necessary resources. To simplify the production of such equipment, which could be difficult due to the limited capabilities of the industry, it was decided to build a new transport vehicle based on the Ratel BMP.



The choice of such a chassis allowed to solve a number of basic issues. In shaping the appearance of a promising transport vehicle, South African experts concluded that it was necessary to provide some specific capabilities. Thus, the experience of recent armed conflicts showed the need to protect the machine from small arms. weapons and min. In addition, it was necessary to equip the machine with means of loading and unloading. It was also proposed to transport goods in standard containers that could be installed on the cargo area of ​​the car.

According to the results of preliminary discussions and research, the general appearance of the transport vehicle was formed, hereinafter called the Ratel Logistic. It was proposed to build an armored vehicle, based on the units of the base BMP "Ratel", but with some differences. Thus, a large cargo area was to be located on the site of the combat and airborne units. It should carry standard containers with any necessary cargo. To facilitate the implementation of the tasks the machine was offered to be equipped with its own crane. Also in the composition of the special equipment could be included several tanks for transportation of fuel or water.

The Ratel Logistic machine was built on the basis of existing units, but to perform specific tasks, we had to seriously change the design of the base chassis. The front of the case with the department of control was borrowed without major changes from the base BMP. Behind the cab there was a new section with a cargo platform and undercarriage elements. The engine compartment, as before, was located in the rear part of the hull. In the case of a logistic car, the engine was not located inside the common armored hull, but in a separate compartment behind the loading platform.

Exact information about the design of the case and its level of protection is missing Nevertheless, the use of ready-made units from the existing infantry fighting vehicle suggests that sheets up to 20 mm were used in the design of the armored hull. In this case, the hull could protect the crew and the internal units of the machine from small arms bullets when firing from any direction. Frontal projection, with a howl of all, could protect against small-caliber cannon shells. The body of the logistic machine retained a special V-shaped structure, which to a certain extent protected the crew and cargo from the impact of mines. This design allowed to redirect part of the shock wave up and sideways, reducing the impact on the internal volumes of the machine.

The project of an armored transport vehicle Ratel Logistic (South Africa)


To ensure acceptable performance, it was decided to change the design of the chassis. The base RMP was equipped with an 6x6 wheel formula with an increased clearance between the first and second axles. The transport vehicle retained the front axle of the basic structure, located under the control compartment, but received an additional pair of wheels behind it. This innovation has increased the base of the chassis, the total length of the machine and the size of the cargo area. In addition, it was possible to a certain extent to reduce the specific load on the soil, distributing it on eight wheels.

The crew of three was located in the front cabin. The driver could monitor the situation with the help of a characteristic three-pane glazing with trapezoidal panes. In the event of shelling, three raised armored blinds were provided, covering the windows, after which it was necessary to monitor the road through narrow viewing slots. For the convenience and safety of driving on the sides of the upper frontal parts of the body mirrors were provided. The driver's workplace had a set of all the necessary instruments and controls.

Behind the driver were the commander, who also served as a radio operator, and the gunner. On the upper hatch arrow provided turret for installing a machine gun or automatic grenade launcher. To protect against attack, the crew could use a rifle-caliber machine gun or a large-caliber weapon of an available type. For embarkation and disembarkation, the crew could use hatches in the roof or doors in the sides of the hull, located on the sides of the commander and gunner jobs. To improve the view, these windows provided for small windows with bulletproof glass, under which there were embrasures for firing personal weapons.

At the rear of the hull, a Detroit Diesel 8V71T diesel engine with an HP 345 power was installed. American production. According to others, the car Ratel Logistic received diesel ADE 423T horsepower 430. The transmission for the 8x8 chassis was developed on the basis of the units of the basic infantry fighting vehicle, making some changes associated with the introduction of an additional pair of wheels into the undercarriage. The steering system was also modified. The car had to maneuver with the help of two front axles. To maintain an acceptable power reserve, the volume of the own fuel tank was increased to 560 liters from the original 430 liters.

The implication was that the Ratel Logistic transport vehicle could not only deliver supplies to the belligerent units, but also accompany them for some time. For this, it was necessary to ensure the possibility of transporting ammunition, provisions, drinking water and fuel. Taking into account such requirements, the shape of the target equipment of the machine was formed. As a result, it was possible to load the new transport vehicle so that it could work for 1-2 weeks at a distance of up to 2000 km from the base, constantly supplying the troops with the necessary resources.

In the central part of the hull, directly under the cargo platform, they placed an additional fuel tank with a volume of 2000 l and a water tank on the 500 l. In front of the loading platform, there were fastenings for two spare wheels. Due to the unification of the undercarriage, these wheels could be used to repair a transport vehicle or other military equipment of the Ratel family. In the central part of the platform there was a diesel generator and a compartment for transporting various tools. In addition, mounts for the third spare wheel were located to the right of the generator.



It was suggested to fill the internal tanks with the help of pumps with hydraulic drives. The design of the fuel system allows you to fill your own and additional fuel tanks from any available tanks and without the use of third-party tools. In addition, the Ratel Logistic machine could refill other equipment on its own, while simultaneously supplying fuel to two vehicles. In the event of a pump failure, the crew would have to use hand-operated pumps.

Liquid cargo tanks were placed inside the armored car body, and on the cargo platform it was proposed to transport containers with any other supplies. In order to avoid problems with packing and loading, it was decided to place all the goods in universal metal containers. These products had a base of 1,2x1,2 m in size and 1 m high walls. Any necessary cargo could be placed in such containers, from ammunition boxes or spare parts to provisions and drinking water tanks to 800 l.

Each Ratel Logistic machine could carry six such containers, in three rows of two. Some sources claim that nine containers fit on the cargo platform, but their dimensions and dimensions of the machine itself clearly indicate the impossibility of such a payload. In order to avoid the loss of cargo, the containers and spare wheels were secured in place using several lines slung over them. To use such fasteners on the sides of the hull, under the cargo platform, there were special eyes.

The need for long-term work at a distance from the base led to the need to equip the transport vehicle with its own means of loading and unloading. On the roof of the stern engine compartment, a support rotary platform of a small crane was installed. The boom of a crane with a payload of about 4,6 t in the stowed position was laid forward along the body. With the help of a crane, the crew could independently put containers on the cargo platform or, on the contrary, lower them to the ground. Thus, the maximum autonomy of work was ensured.

Adding a fourth axis resulted in a noticeable increase in the length of the car compared to the base BMP. The length of the transport machine Ratel Logistic was 8,74 m (7,2 at the base triaxial), the width remained at the level of 2,7 m, the height on the roof of the case did not exceed 2,5 m. The containers and the crane, in turn, slightly increased the dimensions of the machine. The curb weight of the machine reached 18 t, full (with containers, fuel and water) - 29 t.

With a power density of at least 15-15,5 hp per ton the new logistics vehicle on the highway could reach speeds of up to 86 km / h. Own tank allowed to overcome at one gas station to 760 km. It is not difficult to notice that the transport vehicle was losing the basic combat according to the main driving characteristics. For comparison, the Ratel BMP developed speeds up to 105 km / h, and its power reserve was 1000 km.



According to some reports, the development company initially introduced only simple unprotected containers with the Ratel Logistic machine. In the future, it was possible to create armored containers for the transport of ammunition, refrigerated containers for food and other special-purpose items. However, by the time the tests began, only ordinary containers without protection were ready.

In the mid-eighties, Sandock-Austral built and handed over for testing two prototypes of the Ratel Logistic transport vehicle. During the tests, this technique showed its high performance, and also confirmed the possibility of transporting goods and direct support of the troops at a distance from the bases while simultaneously providing all the necessary resources.

Depending on the intensity of the fighting, transport vehicles could remain with the division of ground forces for some time or ply between the base and the front, constantly bringing new supplies and allowing the troops to hold their positions. Thus, a sufficiently large flexibility of application was provided in comparison with the existing equipment. In addition, the crew and units of the machine were protected from shelling and mines.

Two prototypes of the Ratel Logistic transport vehicle have been successfully tested, however story project is over. The command of the armed forces of South Africa acquainted with this technique, but did not initiate its mass production. With all its advantages, the proposed armored car was too complicated and expensive. By this time, the company SAMIL has mastered the production of a truck SAMIL 100 Kwêvoël, which are actively used in the army as the main means of transportation of goods. They did not have the necessary protection and did not differ in greater carrying capacity, but were much cheaper.

As a result, the military decided to continue purchasing and operating the existing trucks, but not ordering the construction of Ratel Logistic vehicles. Both built prototype returned to the factory. Their exact fate is unknown. According to some reports, at least one of the experienced machines has survived to our days and is now in one of the South African museums. Information about the second machine is not available.


On the materials of the sites:
http://military-today.com/
http://scientiamilitaria.journals.ac.za/
http://globalsecurity.org/
http://samiltrucks.co.za/
http://shushpanzer-ru.livejournal.com/
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12 comments
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  1. +1
    6 August 2015 07: 02
    And initially, if I’m not mistaken, it is based on a conveyor belt from a self-propelled 155 mm installation
    1. +9
      6 August 2015 08: 57
      In general, the engineering school in South Africa was very serious, as long as the black white brothers did not expel them massively in 1991-1993.
      It is a pity that the USSR strangled them together with the West in the 70-80th.
      1. AUL
        +4
        6 August 2015 09: 07
        Well, now South Africa is part of the BRICS, we are starting to make friends with them slowly.
        1. +10
          6 August 2015 09: 14
          Quote from AUL
          Well, now South Africa is part of the BRICS, we are starting to make friends with them slowly.

          There is no one to be friends with. Most of those who could dump from "the most progressive African country" have already dumped (one next to me "works at the construction sites of Zionism"). Those who remained to work under the leadership of black fellow citizens (positive discrimination) with all the consequences ...

          Article good
          1. +4
            6 August 2015 09: 30
            Quote: professor
            Those who remained working under the leadership of black fellow citizens (positive discrimination) with all the consequences ...

            Yeah, they completely lured South Africa ...
          2. 0
            6 August 2015 09: 30
            Quote: professor
            Those who remained working under the leadership of black fellow citizens (positive discrimination) with all the consequences ...

            Yeah, they completely lured South Africa ...
    2. +4
      6 August 2015 09: 38
      Quote: qwert
      And initially, if I’m not mistaken, it is based on a conveyor belt from a self-propelled 155 mm installation

      Have you read it though? Initially, it was based on a modified chassis of the Ratel 6x6 infantry fighting vehicle (including 155-mm G6 self-propelled guns), as evidenced by the name of the Ratel-L supply vehicle (except for the early reworking of the Belgian SIBMAS).
    3. The comment was deleted.
  2. +2
    6 August 2015 09: 13
    Great material, harsh wheelbarrow good
  3. +3
    6 August 2015 14: 55
    Serious car. I would especially like to note that a group of 4-5 such BTMs with different modules can conduct autonomous combat operations in the desert for a long time. The rathel along with the G-6 is IMHO, the best that South African weapons designers have produced.
    1. The comment was deleted.
    2. +3
      6 August 2015 16: 44
      BM "Rooikat" (8x8) and combat helicopter "Rooivalk" CSH-2 are also not bad, IMHO.
  4. +1
    6 August 2015 20: 09
    for their actions in the savannah, the right machine - all of it with you - otherwise you had to use simple trucks to use what is fraught with raids.
    1. 0
      9 August 2015 19: 56
      In the army, for the 2,5,10 × 4-ton 4,6X6XXNUMX truck, the Samil series developed a CO protected from fire, fragments, mines, it turned out to be cheaper than making a special Ratel.
      Police used a secure Blesbek truck and a Duiker diesel tanker.
  5. 0
    7 August 2015 04: 58
    A good idea. But too specific a car.
    If you make a small series and use it as a means of supporting special forces in the operation - an obvious unmasking sign, however. For mass production and conventional transportation - it turned out a little expensive.
  6. +1
    14 August 2015 22: 08
    A supply vehicle in a combat situation (in the battalion-company link), which increases the autonomy of subunits (tank, motorized rifle, reconnaissance (on BRM / BRDM) artillery, mortar, PT (PU ATGM), engineer-sapper, making up a mixed tactical formation) operating in isolation from the main forces, for example, conducting raids. The forces of special forces (reconnaissance and sabotage) have nothing to do with it, we mean motorized battalion (btg) and company (rtg) tactical maneuver groups. The use of conventional unprotected and vulnerable airborne logistics support (TO) trucks in such conditions is doubtful, undermines the combat stability of such a formation and its units, depending on the timely provision of ammunition and items of material and technical equipment. provision (MTO).

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