AIL Rhino

     Notes:  This Israeli-made armored car was sold to several countries that were never disclosed, but examples have been seen in Central America, Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.  Israel uses them for internal security purposes, especially in police raids against Palestinian rebels.  It is based on the M-462 Abir light truck, with a fully enclosed armored body. 

     The Rhino looks like an armored SUV.  The driver and commander have a Bullet-resistant windshield to their front, and bullet-resistant windows to their sides.  Further (rather small) bullet-resistant windows are found three per side and two in the rear.  Below each is a firing port, but this is merely a hinged cover for a hole in the vehicle and not a sealed firing port.  The driver and commander also have firing ports in their doors.  The front end contains the engine and transmission. The troops enter and exit through doors in the sides behind the cab or through a small door in the rear (to which a spare tire is normally attached).  The troops have individual seats with integral seat belts and shock absorption to help protect against mines. Police versions typically have an unarmed cupola in the roof and equipment like loudspeakers, sirens, flashing lights, and sometimes an irritant gas dispenser with a 100-liter tank in the vehicle (included in the stats below), but military versions have a cupola with a machinegun, a ramming bumper, and armored shutters for the windshield and windows.  The suspension is optimized for road use, and has limited off-road capability, though it is a 4x4 suspension with run-flat tires.  The power is provided by a 165-horsepower diesel engine; as the armor and the vehicle are relatively light, this low power is not a big problem.  There is no NBC system, but on the roof is a forced air system which can clear out smoke and irritant gas to an extent.

     VIP transport versions also exist; these normally have more luxury accommodations inside and carry less passengers.  They will not be discussed here, as they can take many forms, but can be inferred.

 

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological*

Rhino (Police)

$25,944

D, A

750 kg

5.8 tons

2+6

2

Headlights

Enclosed

Rhino (Military)

$20,314

D, A

950 kg

5.8 tons

3+9

2

Headlights

Enclosed

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

Rhino

252/62

58/14

140

83

Stnd

W(2)

HF3  HS3  HR2**

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

Rhino

None

None

Irritant Gas Dispenser

100L irritant gas

Rhino (Military)

None

None

MAG

2500.50

*Note the minimal interior clearing system noted above.

**Floor AV is 3.

 

Ramta RAM

     Notes:  The RAM family of armored cars was built for long-range scouting missions, for use by paratroopers, and by special operations units which needed a fast-moving vehicle and for whom armor was a secondary consideration.  They were later picked up for use by security forces. They are updated versions of the earlier RBY Mk 1 armored car.  Improvements over the RBY Mk 1 include higher ground clearance, a diesel instead of a gasoline engine, an automatic transmission to reduce driver fatigue, and a beefier suspension to reduce the fatigue of the rest of the crew.  Known users include Israel, Botswana, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Guatemala, Honduras, Lesotho, and Morocco.

     There are four basic APC-type variants: the open topped V-1S (short wheelbase) and V-1L (long wheelbase), and the closed topped V-2S and V2L.  Each of these versions have 4 further variants: the infantry fighting vehicle carries 3 machineguns (or grenade launchers) and a B-300 rocket launcher; the infantry combat vehicle carries 3 machineguns (or grenade launchers), a 52mm mortar (hand-fired), and two M-72 LAW rockets or one RPG-7; the close-range antitank vehicle carries an M-40 recoilless rifle; and the long-range antitank vehicle carries a TOW II ATGM launcher and two machineguns (or grenade launchers).  In all cases, the weapons may be easily dismounted and fired from outside the vehicle if necessary.  These variants are all V-1 versions; the V-2 has no place for all these weapons, and is defended only by troops firing from the open hatches. The RAM in its basic configuration has slightly-sloped sides and a jeep-like front end which usually carries a spare tire.  Most are festooned with brackets and tie-down points for extra gear and troop equipment.  There are no doors on the vehicle in the V-1; troops and crew climb in over the sides of the troop compartment.  The front and sides of the cab have bullet-resistant windshields. In the V-2, there are three hatches on either side of the top of the troop compartment, which troops squeeze into.  These hatches may be locked open.  The engine in all cases is at the rear of the vehicle, as are the fuel tanks.  The armor, though not heavy, is sufficient to withstand most small arms fire and the suspension is high and the floor armor reinforced.  Some examples have an automatic fire detection and suppression system. The engine is a Deutz BT-6L 912S 132-horsepower diesel. Suspension is 4x4 and off-road. At the front of the vehicle is a winch with a capacity of 3629 kg. 

     The RAM-2000 is the newest version of the RAM.  It is essentially a LWB RAM given additional armor protection (though advances in armor design and composition), a more fortified floor, and a cupola atop the commander’s position with a weapon mount.  It is a closed-roof design, with doors in either side of the vehicle.  The suspension is raised further, with the bottom of the vehicle being nearly 0.8 meters from the ground.  Engine power has been increased to 166 horsepower.  The vehicle has been lengthened by 29 centimeters. The suspension is 4x4, switchable to 4x2 for road use. A reconnaissance version exists, which has an extendible mast with various day and night imaging devices as well as a radio detector and listener (four bands, range 20 km) and shotgun microphone.  The rear of this version is taken up largely by the electronics to control this array and transmit the information to higher headquarters, including two long-range radios (one data-capable), and a short-range radio. The RAM-2000 is sometimes referred to as the RAM V-3.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

V-1S (IFV)

$40,283

D, A

700 kg

5.4 tons

2+4

2

Headlights

Open

V-1S (ICV)

$47,666

D, A

700 kg

5.4 tons

2+4

3

Headlights

Open

V-1S (CRAT)

$87,002

D, A

700 kg

5.4 tons

4

3

Headlights

Open

V-1S (LRAT)

$87,871

D, A

700 kg

5.4 tons

4

3

Headlights

Open

V-1L (IFV)

$40,783

D, A

1.3 tons

5.6 tons

2+7

2

Headlights

Open

V-1L (ICV)

$47,866

D, A

1.3 tons

5.6 tons

2+7

2

Headlights

Open

V-1L (CRAT)

$87,202

D, A

1.3 tons

5.6 tons

4+2

3

Headlights

Open

V-1L (LRAT)

$88,073

D, A

1.3 tons

5.6 tons

4+2

3

Headlights

Open

V-2S

$40,811

D, A

700 kg

5.7 tons

2+4

3

Headlights

Enclosed

V-2L

$46,001

D, A

1.3 tons

6 tons

2+7

4

Headlights

Enclosed

RAM-2000

$39,028

D, A

1.2 tons

6 tons

2+8

2

Headlights

Enclosed

RAM-2000 Recon

$75,709

D, A

600 kg

6.1 tons

4

4

Image Intensification (Mast), Thermal Imaging (Mast)

Enclosed

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

V-1S

181/91

42/21

120

65

Stnd

W(2)

HF3  HS3  HR2*

V-1L

176/89

41/20

160

67

Stnd

W(2)

HF3  HS3  HR2*

V-2S

172/86

40/20

120

69

Stnd

W(2)

HF3  HS3  HR2**

V-2L

163/82

38/19

160

72

Stnd

W(2)

HF3  HS3  HR2**

RAM-2000

203/102

47/24

160

84

Stnd

W(2)

HF5  HS5  HR3***

RAM-2000 Recon

199/100

46/24

160

86

Stnd

W(2)

HF5  HS5  HR3***

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

RAM V-1 (IFV)

None

None

3xMAG, B-300

5000x7.62mm, 6x89mm Rockets

RAM V-1 (ICV)

None

None

3xMAG, IMI 52mm Mortar, 2xM-72A2 Rockets or 1xRPG-7

5000x7.62mm, 36x52mm Mortar Rounds (+4xRPG-7 Rockets if so equipped)

RAM V-1 (CRAT)

None

None

M-40A2 Recoilless Rifle, 2xMAG

18x106mm Rockets, 2500x7.62mm

RAM V-1 (LRAT)

None

None

TOW II Launcher, 2xMAG

16xTOW II ATGM, 2500x7.62mm

RAM-2000

None

None

MAG or M-2HB (C)

4000x7.62mm or 2400x.50

*Floor AV is 4. There is no Roof armor.

**Floor AV is 4.

***Floor AV is 4Sp.

 

RAMTA RBY Mk 1

     Notes:  The RBY Mk 1 is a 4x4 light reconnaissance vehicle, sort of an earlier version of the RAM V-1.  It entered service with the Israelis in 1975. Aside from the Israelis (who no longer use them except for five kept for internal security), the other users of the RBY Mk 1 are Guatemala, (who has modified theirs in several ways), Honduras, and Lesotho.  Most of these vehicles are straightforward reconnaissance cars/light APCs, but an antitank variant was in service with the Israelis.

     The RBY Mk 1 has basically the same layout as the RAM, with a front end like a jeep and with a spare tire on it. A cab is behind the front end for the commander and driver, with a bullet-resistant windshield to the front and windows to the sides.  Thw windows and windshield have armored shutters with vision slits in them for use in heavy firepower environments. The center of the vehicle has the troop compartment, which is rather cramped.  The rear has the engine.  The armor is rather thin, but the RBY Mk 1 has a high ground clearance, wide wheelbase, and reinforced floor to help against mines and IEDs. (The floor, in fact, has the thickest armor on the vehicle.) The hull is made in a unitary fashion, to further increase structural integrity; it has no doors or hatches for this reason.  Like the RAM, the RBY Mk 1 has run-flat tires.  The RBY Mk 1 has a 4x4 off-road suspension and is powered by a Chrysler 225-2 120-horsepower gasoline engine with a manual transmission.

     The troop compartment of the RBY Mk 1 is interesting – the troops have three outward-facing seats on each side, high enough so that they can see over the sides of the vehicle.  (They can be raised and lowered, however.)  The troops and the crew enter and leave by going over the sides of the troop compartment, and there are several steps to help them.  The exterior of the vehicle is replete with tie-down places and brackets for crew equipment, extra gear and fuel, and extra ammunition.  Up to five machineguns are mounted, one on each side of the troop compartment, and one above the commander’s position.  Ammunition stowage, like on the RAM, is basically everywhere, helping to lead to a cramped troop compartment.

     The antitank version is simply a standard RBY Mk 1 with a recoilless rifle mounted in it, and stowage boxes for ammunition replacing most of the troop space.

     The Guatemalans have modified their RBY Mk 1s in several ways.  They have replaced the engine with a 145-horsepower diesel engine, coupled to an automatic transmission.  The troop compartment has a solid piece of Kevlar over it to cover the space, and the troop seats have been lowered.  All the machinegun mounts have been removed, and instead a ring mount for a heavy machinegun is found atop the Kevlar slab covering the vehicle.  Doors have been cut in the sides of the vehicle since the troops and crew can no longer enter and exit over the sides of the vehicle.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

RBY Mk 1

$39,840

G, A

500 kg

3.6 tons

2+6

2

Headlights

Open

RBY Mk 1 AT

$86,667

G, A

500 kg

3.6 tons

4

3

Headlights

Open

Guatemalan RBY Mk 1

$30,949

D, A

400 kg

3.9 tons

3+5

2

Headlights

Open

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

RBY Mk 1/AT

228/114

53/26

140

77

Stnd

W(2)

HF3  HS2  HR2*

Guatemalan RBY Mk 1

254/128

59/30

140

83

Stnd

W(2)

HF3  HS2  HR2**

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

RBY Mk 1

None

None

5xMAG (Front, Rear, Left, Right, C)

5000x7.62mm

RBY Mk 1 AT

None

None

M-40A2 Recoilless Rifle, 2xMAG

18x106mm Rockets, 2500x7.62mm

Guatemalan RBY Mk 1

None

None

M-2HB

2400x.50

*Floor AV is 4. There is no Roof AV.

**Floor AV is 4.