BAE Systems Launches New Mine Protected Vehicle

The BAE Systems business in South Africa has developed a purpose built RG35 RPU vehicle that delivers the crucial balance between firepower, proven survivability and tactical mobility troops currently need and will require in the future.

The RG35 RPU is a modern, yet ruggedly dependable tactical 4X4 wheeled vehicle that is truly purpose built for multiple missions. Not only can the reconnaissance variant 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 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) program. 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 meters in length, 2.6 meters in width, and 2.5 meters in height, with a ground clearance of 414 millimeters. The RG35 RGU’s gross vehicle mass is 21,000kg and seats driver plus 9 crew members.