User:RadiculousJ/sandbox/Ranger Special Operations Vehicle
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| Ranger Special Operations Vehicle | |
|---|---|
 An RSOV with M2 Browning displayed at the National War College in April 2001 | |
| Type | Military light utility vehicle |
| Place of origin | United Kingdom United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1992–present |
| Used by | 75th Ranger Regiment |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations |
| Manufacturer | Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations |
| Produced | 1992– |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 7,734 kg (17,051 lb) |
| Length | 173.8 in (4,415 mm) |
| length | 123 m (403 ft 7 in) |
| Width | 70.5 in (1,791 mm) |
| Height | 76 in (1,930 mm) (without gun mount) |
| Crew | 3 |
| Passengers | 4 |
Main armament | 1× M2 Browning machine gun or Mk 19 grenade launcher |
Secondary armament | 1× M240 machine gun |
| Engine | 2.5 L 200Tdi turbodiesel I4 |
The Ranger Special Operations Vehicle (RSOV) is a light military vehicle used by the United States 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.[1]
History[edit]
In 1992, the 75th Ranger Regiment decided to adopt the RSOV in order to replace the M151 ¼-ton 4×4 utility truck.[2]
Design[edit]
The RSOV's design is based on the Land Rover Defender 110, having different specifications from the British Weapons Mount Installation Kit.[2] It is designed for a crew of three and up to four passengers.
Weapons[edit]
For a typical operation, both vehicles in an RSOV section would be equipped with various machine guns at the forward Truck Commander (TC) station, with a Mk 19 grenade launcher at the top gunner position in one vehicle, and an M2 Browning machine gun mounted on that top position in the other vehicle.[1][3]
Variants[edit]
In addition to the RSOVs with their crew-served weapons, each Ranger battalion has two medical variants of the Defender known as a Medical Special Operations Vehicle (MEDSOV).[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[edit]
- Interim Fast Attack Vehicle
- Long Range Patrol Vehicle
- Land Rover Wolf - Weapons Mount Installation Kit
References[edit]
- ^ a b c "Ranger Special Operations Vehicle". Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ a b "Land Rover Defender Ranger Special Operations Vehicle". War Wheels. Archived from the original on 3 November 2014. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
- ^ a b "Ranger Special Operations Vehicle (SOV)". American Special Ops. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ a b c "Ranger Medical Special Operations Vehicle – Special Ops Photos". American Special Ops. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
External links[edit]
- The Ranger Special Operations Vehicle, Army Magazine, 2001
- Ranger / S.O.A.R. Joint Field Training Exercise, 1993, Special Operations History Foundation, 2013
Category:Land Rover vehicles Category:Military vehicles of the United States Category:Off-road vehicles Category:All-wheel-drive vehicles Category:Military light utility vehicles Category:United States Army Rangers