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Ratel 60



Overview


Ratel 60

SANDF Ratel 60 on public display in 2019.
Source: EDR On-Line - © Copyright lies with original owner

Origin
South Africa
Type
Infantry fighting vehicle
Self-propelled gun/mortar
Entered service
1980 or 1981
Status
Limited service
Development
Late 1970's
Developer
South Africa
Production
1980 - Late 1980's
Producer
South Africa
Designations
Ratel 60
"60" refers to 60mm
Ratel
Afrikaans for "honey badger"
Notable users
South Africa
Libya

Description


Introduction

The Ratel 60 is an infantry fighting vehicle of South African origin. It is a variant of the Ratel series of infantry fighting vehicles. The Ratel 60 can be used for indirect fire and battlefield support. In South African service it was issued to combat engineers.

Design

The Ratel 60 is based on the Ratel chassis. It features an Eland 60 turret with a 60mm K1 breach-loaded mortar. The ammunition storage takes up more room than in the Ratel 20. Therefore the passenger capacity is reduced from 9 to 7 troops.

Firepower

The Ratel 60 is armed with a 60mm K1 breech-loaded mortar. This can be used in the direct fire role up to 300 meters. Indirect fire can reach up to 1.7 km. High explosive shells are most commonly used. Canister rounds can be used in direct fire. The Ratel 60 is also used to provide smoke cover and battlefield illumination. Secondary armament consists of a 7.62mm MG4 CA coaxial machine gun and a pintle mounted 7.62mm MG4 AA machine gun.

Users

The Ratel 60 was used by South Africa during the Bush War. It was issued in lower numbers than Ratel 20 or Ratel 90. Possibly the Ratel 60 was exported to other nations.

Details


Facts Ratel 60
General
Origin
South Africa
Type
Infantry fighting vehicle
Crew
3+7 (commander, driver, gunner + 7 troops)
Dimensions
Weight
18.5 t combat load
Length
7.21 m
Width
2.52 m
Height
3.11 m
Main armament
Type
60mm K1 breech-loading mortar
Mount
Main gun in turret
Ammunition
45 shells
Elevation
-15 to +80 degrees, powered
Traverse
360 degrees, powered
Range
300 m direct fire
1.7 km indirect fire
Stabilizer
No, but can fire on the move at very low speed
Coaxial armament
Type
7.62mm MG4 CA machine gun
Mount
Coaxial with main armament
Ammunition
3.000 rounds in total, 100 rounds ready to fire
Secondary armament
Type
7.62mm MG4 AA machine gun
Mount
Pintle mount at rear of vehicle
Ammunition
3.000 rounds in total, 100 rounds ready to fire
Traverse
Manual traverse and elevation
Chassis
Chassis type
Wheeled
Configuration
6x6
Wheelbase
2.8 m + 1.4 m
Tire size
14.00 x20
Automotive
Engine
Büssing D 3256 BTXF 12-liter six-cylinder liquid-cooled turbo diesel
Power
282 hp at 2.200 rpm
Transmission
Renk HSU 106
Automatic, 6 forward, 2 reverse
Fuel
480 L
Mobility
Speed
105 km/h on road
30 km/h off road
Range
1.000 km on road
600 km off road
Power to weight ratio
15.2 hp/t
Turn radius
8.5 m
Obstacle crossing
Ground clearance
0.34 m
Wall
0.6 m
Trench
1.2 m
Gradient
27 degrees
Fording
1.2 m
Protection
Armor type
Steel
Armor thickness
20 mm hull front
8 to 10mm hull sides and rear
Smoke system
2x2 81mm smoke grenade dischargers

Media


Related articles


Ratel 20

The Ratel 60 is a variant of the Ratel 20 wheeled infantry fighting vehicle.