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*RG-31A2 Mark 5E (Extended)

Mine Protected Vehicle/MMPV Type 2

Specifications

Country of Origin/Used by: South Africa (and others including Spain and the United States)
First Produced/Service Dates: 2007
Manufactured by: General Dynamics Land Systems –Canada/BAE Systems (Formerly Land Systems OMC)
Crew: Up to 1+7
Armament: Various.  Can be armed with various weapons/mounts including a number of different Remote Weapon Systems (RWS). The RWS can be fitted with 12.7mm heavy machine gun, 7.62 mm MG or 40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher. Anti-Tank Guided Missile Launchers can also be mounted to most variants.
Engine: A2: 6-Cylinder Turbo Diesel (275hp Cummins QSB FR 91421 6.7 Ltr).
MMPV Type 2: Upgraded with 300hp Cummins engines. 
Miscellaneous Info: Almost immediately after the RG-31A1 Mark 5 Mine Protected Vehicle (MPV) vehicles were put into service, the US Military identified the need for an improved vehicle, most notably one that could accommodate more troops and cargo. Again, the manufacturer was ahead of the military and had already envisioned the larger RG-31A2 Mark 5E (Extended) MPV.  As a result, this series was also produced and put into service very quickly. The RG-31A2 was the most numerous MPV purchased by the US Military.

The most visible change to the Mark 5E over the earlier Mark 5, is a longer length (5 feet).  In addition, other improvements were incorporated, most notably the automotive components to allow for the added weight of an larger crew.  Specific changes to the 5E included new leaf springs, uprated 570 amp alternator and thicker ballistic windows. Also, in approximately 2010 many of the remaining A2's were brought up to the later RG-31(A3) EM (Enhanced Mobility) vehicle standard. Not surprisingly, the Mark 5E was also quickly improved upon and replaced/supplemented by the later RG-31A2 M1 RTR (Reduced Turning Radius), the aforementioned RG-31(A3) EM and RG-31 EHM (Extra High Mobility).

*In addition, the RG-31A2 Mark 5E was also selected as the Medium Mine Protected Vehicle (MMPV) Type 2 as part of the Mine Protected Vehicle Family (MPVF) Program. The other vehicles included in the family are the Buffalo A2 Mine-Protected Clearance Vehicle (MPCV). the Husky Vehicle Mounted Mine Detection (VMMD) System, and the MMPV Type 1 (RG-33L).  The RG-31 MMPV Type 2 would serve as engineer vehicles in point, route and area clearance as well as to provide site security. Although very similar in appearance to the "standard" 5E's, the MMPV's were fitted with substantial improvements and upgrades so as to allow them to more safely perform their new specialized roles. These include uprated 300hp engine, new independent suspension system, door assist system, improved ballistic glass, spall liners, Skydex shock mitigation flooring and blast resistant seats.
Data Sheet Available:   None Available

Photos/Documents

Reference Source/Provider
Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle Slideshow Presentation (2011) US Department of Defense's Joint Program Office-MRAP via David Haugh Collection
RG-31A1/A2 Mark 5/5E MPV Photos Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS)
    RG-31A1/A2 Mark 5/5E MPV Photos US Army
RG-31A1/A2 Mark 5/5E MPV Photos US Department of Defense
RG-31A2 Mark 5E MPV Photos Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS)
   RG-31 Mark 5E MPV Photos Jacques DuJardin - France
RG-31A2 Mark 5E MPV Photos US Army
RG-31A2 Mark 5E MPV Photos US Army via LTC Paul Fanning (Ret.)
      RG-31A2 Mark 5E MPV Photos US Army Research, Development & Engineering Command (RDECOM)
RG-31A2 Mark 5E MPV Photos US Department of Defense 
    RG-31A2 Mark 5E MPV Photos US Marine Corps 
RG-31A2 Mark 5E MPV/MMPV Type 2 Photos Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS)
RG-31A2 Mark 5E MPV/MMPV Type 2 Photos Robert Skipper (See Below)
    RG-31A2 Mark 5E MPV/MMPV Type 2 Photos US Army
  RG-31A2 Mark 5E MPV/MMPV Type 2 and RG-33L MMPV Type 1 (at Left) Photo US Army
  RG-31A2 Mark 5E MPV/MMPV Type 2 Photo US Army Acquisition Support Center
RG-31A2 Mark 5E MPV/MMPV Type 2 Photos US Army Operational Test Command
  RG-31A2 Mark 5E MPV/MMPV Type 2 Photo US Army Test & Evaluation Command
Spanish RG-31 Mark 5E MPV Photos Javier Villarroya del Real - Madrid, Spain

References Available

Online

Reference Source/Provider
RG-31 MPV Series Information & Photos Global-Security.org
RG-31 MPV Series Information & Photos TankNutDave.com
RG-31A1 Mark 5/ RG-31A2 Mark 5E MPV Information & Photos Army-Technology.com
RG-31A2 Mark 5E MPV/MMPV Type 2 Information & Photos Army-Guide.com

Printed

Reference Author
IED Hunters-US Army Route Clearance Vehicles: In Detail (Wings & Wheels Publications) J.DeRosa, R. Jankasek, B. Weber & P. Winnepenninckx
"MRAP Pt 1" Military Machines International Magazine (September 2008 Issue) Shaun Connors
M-ATV and RG-31 MRAP Walkaround Photo Reference CD-ROM Robert Skipper (available directly from author via e-mail)
MRAP Walkaround Photo Reference CD-ROM: Part II Robert Skipper (available directly from author via e-mail)
This Truck Saved My Life: Lessons Learned from the MRAP Vehicle Program Joint Program Office Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected Vehicles (US Army)
U.S. Army and Marine Corps MRAPs (Osprey Publishing) Mike Guardia

U.S. MRAP’s: In Action (Squadron-Signal Publications)

 John Adams-Graf

Hobby Modeling

Kits and Accessories

Model Kit Manufacturer Scale Other Information
  Spanish RG-31 Mark 5E MPV Model Kit

"What's In The Box Review" by Patrick Keenan		 Javier Villarroya del Real (Spain) 1/35 Resin. To purchase, you can contact Javier directly at fjvillarroya@yahoo.com .
       
Aftermarket Item Manufacturer Scale Other Information
       

Model Photos

Reference Source/Provider