Rooikat
| Rooikat | |
|---|---|
Reconnaissance tank Rooikat in action (2008) |
|
| General properties | |
| crew | 4 (commander, driver, gunner, loader) |
| length | 7.1 m / 8.2 m with gun barrel |
| width | 2.9 m |
| height | 2.8 m |
| Dimensions | 28 tons |
| Armor and armament | |
| Main armament | 76 mm GT4 cannon |
| Secondary armament | 2 7.62mm coaxial machine guns |
| agility | |
| drive | water-cooled ten-cylinder diesel engine ADE 563 PS |
| suspension | Torsion bar |
| Top speed | 120 km / h (road) |
| Power / weight | 20 hp / ton |
| Range | 1000 km |
The Rooikat is an eight-wheeled heavy reconnaissance tank made in South Africa . Its name corresponds to the Afrikaans word for the caracal / desert lynx (red cat).
history
Due to the former UN arms embargo in 1977, South Africa had to develop and manufacture most of its own weapons. The army's procurement projects were mostly armored vehicles. The most important criteria that these vehicles had to meet were versatility, a long range and suitability for the international armaments market. In order to gain experience with heavy armored vehicles, Reumech built three test vehicles with 8x8 axles in 1976, which were to serve as the basis for various weapon systems. The South African army received its first test vehicles in the early 1980s. The vehicles were of different weights and had different weapon options. The decision was made in favor of the four-axle vehicle with a 76 mm cannon, which was to serve for armed reconnaissance. In 1987 Reumech delivered the first prototypes and three years later in 1990 series production began. With the Rooikat, the South African army has a vehicle that is expandable and modern, as well as high operational mobility (range 1000 km).
technology
The base model, which has been introduced to the South African armed forces since 1980, has a 76 mm high-pressure cannon, a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun and an anti-aircraft machine gun. The first hit probability is determined by weapon stabilization and complex aiming means such as. B. night-fighting target optics increased. The protection of the vehicle is effective against large-caliber infantry ammunition. Special emphasis was placed on mine protection. The 28-ton combat vehicle with a four-man crew is powered by a 560 hp ten-cylinder diesel engine. The power transmission takes place on all axles of the vehicle; the two front axles are steerable. 200 pieces were built and delivered.
The Rooikat 105 has been around since 2000 . This vehicle is a further development with a 105 mm cannon from South African production to close a gap in the anti-tank defense. However, the vehicle should also be intended for export.
literature
- Military vehicles, Atlas Verlag
Web links
- www.army-technology.com: Rooikat Armored Fighting Vehicle (English)
- www.panzerbaer.de: Rooikat Armored Car