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| engine = D 3256 BTXF 6-cylinder in-line turbocharged diesel | engine_power = | suspension = Wheeled 6x6, clearance | speed = (road); (off-road) | pw_ratio = 15.24 hp/tonne | vehicle_range = }} | engine = ADE 407 TI turbocharged diesel | engine_power = | suspension = Wheeled 6x6, clearance | speed = (road); (off-road) | pw_ratio = 15.24 hp/tonne | vehicle_range = }} The Ratel is the basic infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) of the South African National Defence Force's mechanized infantry battalions. ''Ratel'' is the Afrikaans name for the honey badger, which has a reputation as a ferocious fighter. ==History== Circa 1970, the South African Defence Force identified the need for an infantry combat vehicle (ICV) in accordance with requirements for its relatively new doctrine of mobile warfare. The resultant product was the Ratel Infantry Combat Vehicle that, contrary to some views, was a totally new requirement and not a replacement for the Alvis Saracen. In fact, the Saracens were retained in their original roles for some years after Ratel entered service and even underwent an upgrade (Project Fellies) before they were eventually retired. The 6x6 Ratel was engineered largely from a prototype furbished by a local subsidiary of Büssing. A number of other foreign designs, including the Panhard M3, EE-11 Urutu, Berliet VXB-170, and Thyssen Henschel UR-416, were also evaluated for the programme.〔(Ratel )〕 Development commenced in 1971, with General Magnus Malan reporting to parliament three years later that the Ratel had been "successfully industrialised". Mass production of a base Ratel-20 chassis peaked in 1976, and the vehicle entered combat deployment in 1977. Other variants, including the improved Mark II and Mark III versions of the basic Ratel, were phased in throughout the 1980s. Mark I vehicles were upgraded to Mark II and III standard during refits. Over a thousand Ratel vehicles have been manufactured. The Ratel was the first wheeled IFV to enter military service, and is generally regarded as an influential design; a number of other countries have since produced vehicles similar to the Ratel, including the Chinese WZ-523. Büssing also sold the rights to its original prototype to Belgium, which in turn produced the SIBMAS.〔 The Ratel-20 is the primary squad IFV, with the Ratel-60, Ratel-90, and Ratel-ZT3 (the anti-tank guided missile version) used primarily in anti-armour, support, and reconnaissance elements within a battalion. The vehicle usually carries a crew of two or three men, with a seven-man infantry squad. In the Ratel-20 squad vehicle, the vehicle commander doubles as the section leader, while in the Ratel-90 fire support version, the commander doubles as the gun loader. The vehicle will be replaced in the South African military by 264 Patria AMV vehicles in "Project Hoefyster". Land Systems OMC has developed the next generation (iKlwa Multi-role Armoured Vehicle ) based on the Ratel's design. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Ratel IFV」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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