Roland Land Systems Defender: Difference between revisions

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  |crew= 3 (commander, gunner, driver) + 2 passengers
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The '''Roland Land Systems Defender''' is an {{Wpl|Armored car (military)|armored car}} in use by the [[Shenandoahan National Guard]]. It is utilized in a variety of roles, including as an {{wpl|Internal security vehicle|internal security vehicle}}, {{wpl|Command and control|command vehicle}}, {{wpl|ambulance}}, {{wpl|reconnaissance vehicle}} and fire support vehicle. It was designed by [[Roland Land Systems]] in 1962, and has been in production since that time. The Defender has undergone several updates and upgrades since its introduction.  
The '''Roland Land Systems Defender''' is an {{Wpl|Armored car (military)|armored car}} in use by the [[Shenandoahan National Guard]]. It is utilized in a variety of roles, including as an {{wpl|Internal security vehicle|internal security vehicle}}, {{wpl|Command and control|command vehicle}}, {{wpl|ambulance}}, {{wpl|reconnaissance vehicle}} and fire support vehicle. It was designed by [[Roland Land Systems]] in 1962, and has been in production since that time. The Defender has undergone several updates and upgrades since its introduction. The Roland Land Systems Defender is known as the M311 Defender in service with the Shenandoahan military.  


==Design==
==Design==
The RLS Defender is equipped with four-wheel drive capability, and utilizes the same axel system as the Albertson Motors {{Wpl|M35 series 2½-ton 6×6 cargo truck|M118 Bison}} series 2½-ton 6×6 cargo trucks also in sue by the Shenandoahan National Guard. Its 5-speed manual transmission and four wheel drive capability allows it to traverse relatively rough terrain It is powered by a gasoline fueled 360-cubic-inch [[Albertson Motors]] {{Wpl|Chrysler B engine|361 V8}} producing 210 hp (156 kW) at 4,000 rpm
The Defender is an {{wpl|amphibious vehicle}}, able to achieve a speed of 3 mph while fording, with a maximum road speed of 62 mph.
The Defender's high hardness alloy steel armor allows it to withstand attacks from rounds up to .30 caliber. Partly because of its armor, the vehicle has an unloaded mass of over 7 tons, particularly heavy for the vehicles intended role. However, the armor  provides the monocoque structural framework, and is therefore, in general, lighter than a soft vehicle to which armor has been added, and the angled armor also helps protect explosions from mines or another hazards. As a result of the high weight of the vehicle, a common problem is rear axle failure caused by the extreme weight.
Armorment for the Defender various upon its mission and role, with both turreted and open-top models being used. Standard configuration for turreted vehicles featured a combination of either two .50 caliber machine guns, two .30 caliber machine guns, or one of each. A variety of machine guns could be used on the vehicle, although the most common weapons used are the {{Wpl|6mm Remington|.244 Blackrock}} {{wpl|Heckler & Koch HK21|M-3 Machine Gun}} {{wpl|General-purpose machine gun}}, the {{wpl|Heckler & Koch HK21#HK25|Blitz & Keckler M-4}} {{Wpl|.50 BMG}} machine gun, and the [[Luminerra|Lumenic]] {{wpl|SB LAG 40|M-2}} {{wpl|automatic grenade launcher}}. In addition, though somewhat uncommon, early examples of the Defender were seen equipped with the {{wpl|.270 Winchester|.270 Grady}} {{wpl|M1919 Browning machine gun|M-2 Machine Gun}}.
The Defender could also mount a single 20 mm automatic cannon, such as the {{Wpl|Rheinmetall Mk 20 Rh-202|Reich Ausrüstung Gesellschaft Mk 66}}.
One open-topped version of the Defender featured a central parapet intended for use as a mortar {{wpl|portee}}, but a total of five machine gun mounts could also be fitted, configured so that there are two weapons in front, one in the rear, and one folding pintle point on each side capable of mounting a GPMG.


==Operational history==
==Operational history==

Revision as of 00:56, 26 October 2021

Roland Land Systems Defender
Cadillac Gage Commando.JPEG
An Shenandoahan Army National Guard RLS Defender being operated by the 4th Cavalry Battalion, 2nd Brigade during training exercises outside of Morgantown.
TypeArmored car
Place of originShenandoah
Service history
Used bySee Operators
Production history
Designed1962
ManufacturerRoland Land Systems
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
Weight7.37 tonnes (8.12 short tons; 7.25 long tons)
Length18 ft 8 in (5.69 m)
Width7 ft 5 in (2.26 m)
Height7 ft 10 in ( 2.4 m)
Crew3 (commander, gunner, driver) + 9 passengers

Main
armament
Various weapon systems including machine guns or automatic cannon
Secondary
armament
2x 6x 40mm smoke grenade launchers
EngineAlbertson Motors 361 V8 gasoline engine
210 hp (156 kW) at 4,000 rpm
Power/weight20.42 hp/tonne (15.22 kW/tonne)
Ground clearance14.9 in (0.38 m)
Fuel capacity80 gallons
Operational
range
400 miles (644 km)
Speed62 mph (100 km/h)

The Roland Land Systems Defender is an armored car in use by the Shenandoahan National Guard. It is utilized in a variety of roles, including as an internal security vehicle, command vehicle, ambulance, reconnaissance vehicle and fire support vehicle. It was designed by Roland Land Systems in 1962, and has been in production since that time. The Defender has undergone several updates and upgrades since its introduction. The Roland Land Systems Defender is known as the M311 Defender in service with the Shenandoahan military.

Design

The RLS Defender is equipped with four-wheel drive capability, and utilizes the same axel system as the Albertson Motors M118 Bison series 2½-ton 6×6 cargo trucks also in sue by the Shenandoahan National Guard. Its 5-speed manual transmission and four wheel drive capability allows it to traverse relatively rough terrain It is powered by a gasoline fueled 360-cubic-inch Albertson Motors 361 V8 producing 210 hp (156 kW) at 4,000 rpm

The Defender is an amphibious vehicle, able to achieve a speed of 3 mph while fording, with a maximum road speed of 62 mph.

The Defender's high hardness alloy steel armor allows it to withstand attacks from rounds up to .30 caliber. Partly because of its armor, the vehicle has an unloaded mass of over 7 tons, particularly heavy for the vehicles intended role. However, the armor provides the monocoque structural framework, and is therefore, in general, lighter than a soft vehicle to which armor has been added, and the angled armor also helps protect explosions from mines or another hazards. As a result of the high weight of the vehicle, a common problem is rear axle failure caused by the extreme weight.

Armorment for the Defender various upon its mission and role, with both turreted and open-top models being used. Standard configuration for turreted vehicles featured a combination of either two .50 caliber machine guns, two .30 caliber machine guns, or one of each. A variety of machine guns could be used on the vehicle, although the most common weapons used are the .244 Blackrock M-3 Machine Gun General-purpose machine gun, the Blitz & Keckler M-4 .50 BMG machine gun, and the Lumenic M-2 automatic grenade launcher. In addition, though somewhat uncommon, early examples of the Defender were seen equipped with the .270 Grady M-2 Machine Gun.

The Defender could also mount a single 20 mm automatic cannon, such as the Reich Ausrüstung Gesellschaft Mk 66.

One open-topped version of the Defender featured a central parapet intended for use as a mortar portee, but a total of five machine gun mounts could also be fitted, configured so that there are two weapons in front, one in the rear, and one folding pintle point on each side capable of mounting a GPMG.


Operational history

Variants

Operators