Ranger Special Operations Vehicle
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| Ranger Special Operations Vehicle | |
|---|---|
A RSOV on display at the National War College in a public exhibition
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Land Rover |
| Production | 1992 – Present |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Light utility vehicle |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Four-Cylinder Turbocharged Diesel |
| Transmission | Automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 173.8 inches (4,415 mm) |
| Width | 70.5 inches (1,791 mm) |
| Height | 76-inch (1,930 mm) (Without Gun Mount) |
| Curb weight | 7,734 lb (3,508 kg) |
The Ranger Special Operations Vehicle or RSOV is a light military vehicle of the U.S. Army's 75th Ranger Regiment, based on the Land Rover Defender. The RSOV is not meant to be an assault vehicle, but a rapid defensive platform-type vehicle instead.[1]
History
In 1992, the U.S. Army decided to adopt the RSOV in order to replace the M151.[2]
Design
The RSOV's design is based on the Land Rover Defender Model 110, having different specifications from the British Weapons Mount Installation Kit.[2] It is designed for a crew of three and up to 7 passengers.
Weapons
For a typical operation, both vehicles in an RSOV section would be equipped with various machine guns at the forward TC station with a Mk 19 grenade launcher at the top gunner position.[1][3]
Variants
In addition to the RSOVs with their crew-served weapons, each Ranger battalion has two medical variants of the Defender known as medical special operations vehicles (MEDSOVs).[4] Instead of the weapon mounts found on standard RSOVs, the MEDSOV variant has fold-down racks capable of carrying six litter patients.[4] Along with its transported casualties, a typical MEDSOV crew would include a driver, a TC and two or three medics to treat the wounded.[4]
Another RSOV variant used by the Ranger battalion mortar platoon. Known as MORTSOVs, the platoon's two Defenders—they also have three Humvees—replace the top-gun configuration with storage boxes and guy wires that allow the vehicle to carry thirty 120 mm (4.7 in) mortar rounds along with the extra equipment required by the platoon.[3] In addition to its on-board carrying capacity, the MORTSOVs can be used to tow the platoon's 120 mm (4.7 in) mortars.
A RSOV communications variant is also used.[1]
See also
- Interim Fast Attack Vehicle (IFAV)
- Land Rover Perentie
- Land Rover Wolf#Weapons Mount Installation Kit
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ranger Special Operations Vehicle. |
- The Ranger Special Operations Vehicle, Army Magazine, 2001
- Ranger / S.O.A.R. Joint Field Training Exercise, 1993, Special Operations History Foundation, 2013
