Topic: Ratel 2

rocco · February 27th, 2005

put a 30 mm rarden on it and u got a great IFV

SHERMAN · February 27th, 2005

Quote:

yeah i like it, the IDF should trial this, or some up-to-date version of this

I would doubt the usefullnes of this in a CQB...

the_13th_redneck · February 27th, 2005

No, this is definately an open terrain type of vehicle.

EOD · February 28th, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_13th_redneck

I wonder what sacrifices it had to make to accomodate the bigger gun though.

The gun is a low recoil system like the MECAR from Belgium so it was likely not too difficult.

Sea_Cadet · February 28th, 2005

I wonder if the Ratel is better then the Stryker in combat operations.

the_13th_redneck · February 28th, 2005

Lets put them in a head to head.
Let's start with mobility via air compraed to the Stryker because it's one of the Stryker's biggest selling points.

Dimensions:
RATEL:
Length: 7,21m
Width: 2,7m
Height: 2,395m
STRYKER:
Length 6.98 m
Width 2.7178 m
Height 2.6416 m
VERDICT: We know the Stryker can fit inside a C-130 with its wheels deflated. The Ratel is 30 cm shorter vertically. The main difference is the length. Ratel's much longer. The C-130's cargo bay length minus the ramp is 12.19 m. You won't fit two Strykers and you will fit a Ratel. So dimension wise it's a tie.

Weight:
RATEL:
18,500 Kg or 40,785.5 lbs
STRYKER:
38,000 lbs. or 17,236.5 Kg.
VERDICT: C-130's maximum payload is 41,790 lbs / 18,955 kg. This means although it can carry the Ratel it's REALLY pushing it.

FINAL VERDICT: I think in terms of air transportability, the Ratel and the Stryker have tied.
We'll compare others later.

bushpig1998 · February 28th, 2005

Yes, the Ratel is an open terrain vehicle, but it has it's attributes in CQB as well. Because of the firing ports, it can be more or less like a porcupine...
It sure is a sight better than a hummvee - especially in situations like Iraq - because of the mine (and IED) protection.
The weight is a bit of an issue.
The largest international buyer of Ratels is India and the UN.
I can tell you of quite a few cuban vets that still run like mad when they see one of these. According to some vets, the Ratel 90 was used extensively in the anti-tank role. The older soviet tanks couldn't target, turn and manuever fast enough to keep up with a group of these ratels circling and thus, got knocked out pretty fast.
The 90mm revoilless is one hell of a weapon. Can mount it on almost anything - even a pickup - but it has drawbaks...the back blast can be a bit if a hassle.
I do Think that the lower profile is an absolute God sent - trees in the savannah generallyt aren't that tall, so it makes it less visible. The one drawback is the engine...while reliable, I think it is slightly underpowered and a bit noisy. Personally, I would go for something more commercial and quiter like the cummins from a dodge 3500 - with additional mufflers. You can hear a group of ratels approaching from a distance on the open veld - granted, they are less noisy than tanks and some other IFV's or APC's.

February 27th, 2005	Post 11
rocco Centurion	put a 30 mm rarden on it and u got a great IFV __________________ Champayne for our real friends real pain for our sham friends

February 27th, 2005	Post 13
the_13th_redneck No Chance Outside Gear	No, this is definately an open terrain type of vehicle. __________________ Sergeant 13th Redneck (RET) Republic of Korea Marine Corps TRESPASSERS WILL BE PROSTITUTED Next time you travel http://www.epictrip.com

February 28th, 2005	Post 15
Sea_Cadet Primus Pilus	I wonder if the Ratel is better then the Stryker in combat operations. __________________ Honour.... Courage.... Commitment US Naval Academy \"Non sibi sed patriae!\" (Not for self, but country) US Navy

February 28th, 2005	Post 16
the_13th_redneck No Chance Outside Gear	Lets put them in a head to head. Let's start with mobility via air compraed to the Stryker because it's one of the Stryker's biggest selling points. Dimensions: RATEL: Length: 7,21m Width: 2,7m Height: 2,395m STRYKER: Length 6.98 m Width 2.7178 m Height 2.6416 m VERDICT: We know the Stryker can fit inside a C-130 with its wheels deflated. The Ratel is 30 cm shorter vertically. The main difference is the length. Ratel's much longer. The C-130's cargo bay length minus the ramp is 12.19 m. You won't fit two Strykers and you will fit a Ratel. So dimension wise it's a tie. Weight: RATEL: 18,500 Kg or 40,785.5 lbs STRYKER: 38,000 lbs. or 17,236.5 Kg. VERDICT: C-130's maximum payload is 41,790 lbs / 18,955 kg. This means although it can carry the Ratel it's REALLY pushing it. FINAL VERDICT: I think in terms of air transportability, the Ratel and the Stryker have tied. We'll compare others later.

February 28th, 2005	Post 17
bushpig1998 Optio	Yes, the Ratel is an open terrain vehicle, but it has it's attributes in CQB as well. Because of the firing ports, it can be more or less like a porcupine... It sure is a sight better than a hummvee - especially in situations like Iraq - because of the mine (and IED) protection. The weight is a bit of an issue. The largest international buyer of Ratels is India and the UN. I can tell you of quite a few cuban vets that still run like mad when they see one of these. According to some vets, the Ratel 90 was used extensively in the anti-tank role. The older soviet tanks couldn't target, turn and manuever fast enough to keep up with a group of these ratels circling and thus, got knocked out pretty fast. The 90mm revoilless is one hell of a weapon. Can mount it on almost anything - even a pickup - but it has drawbaks...the back blast can be a bit if a hassle. I do Think that the lower profile is an absolute God sent - trees in the savannah generallyt aren't that tall, so it makes it less visible. The one drawback is the engine...while reliable, I think it is slightly underpowered and a bit noisy. Personally, I would go for something more commercial and quiter like the cummins from a dodge 3500 - with additional mufflers. You can hear a group of ratels approaching from a distance on the open veld - granted, they are less noisy than tanks and some other IFV's or APC's.