Denel Rooikat (Caracal / Red Cat)

History

South Africa's experience with the Angolan Civil War (1975-2002) was translated into new armoured vehicle designs such as the Rooikat ("Caracal"/"Red Cat"). The 8x8 wheeled platform is designed as a multi-purpose vehicle that supports existing Army tactics by providing excellent off-road capability, balanced (and to some extent modular) offensive firepower, and reasonable survivability for its occupants . The Rooikat was designed in 1976 and, when it entered service, succeeded the famous Eland armoured vehicle series that was in service at the time.

Rooikat has completed its production run - no exports and limited combat exposure. A total of 240 cars were delivered, and several of the proposed variants fell through.

The 8x8 wheeled approach gives the Rooikat design considerable traction in desert and scrub terrain, which is common in South Africa and its neighbours. The hull profile is flat and the large, individually suspended wheels are well spaced.

Power is provided by a 10-cylinder water-cooled diesel engine rated at 563 hp, allowing road speeds of up to 75 mph (about 30 mph off-road) and an operating range of up to 620 miles on internal fuel. The standard operator is 4 and the dimensions include 27ft barrel length, 9.5ft width and 8.5ft height (turret mounted).

The weight is 28 tons.

The standard Rooikat hull formed the basis for a series of related models, starting with the original "Rooikat 76", followed by the armored gun "Rooikat 105" in 1990. The vehicles are caliber designated by their respective turret main guns and main guns, the Rooikat 76 with the effective 76mm system and the Rooikat 105 with the more lethal 105mm NATO standard rifle system. 2 x 7.62mm MG4 series machine guns for local defense, one coaxial.

In addition, 8 smoke grenade launchers have been installed, giving Rooikat inherent screening capabilities.

In addition to these two main forms, there is the proposed Rooikat Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) wheeled platform, which brings mobile air defense capabilities to the family series. With the addition of an Anti-Tank Missile (ATGM) variant as a prototype, the ARMSCOR ZA35 becomes a Mobile Self-Propelled Artillery Platform (SPAAG) to defend against low-level threats such as helicopters.

The latter product includes 2 M-35 series guns as well as tracking radar, gun stabilization system and digital fire control system (FCS).

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

for everyone else in our database)

Armor

Depends on weapon.

Changes