Roland Land Systems Sentinel
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| Roland Land Systems Sentinel | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Fire support vehicle |
| Place of origin |  Shenandoah |
| Service history | |
| Used by | See Operators |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1987 |
| Manufacturer | Roland Land Systems |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 18,500 kg |
| Length | 6.30 m |
| Width | 2.667 m |
| Height | 2.74 m |
| Crew | 4 (commander, gunner, driver, loader) |
Main armament | VT Cinética ALA-82 105mm L/58 rifled cannon (36 rounds) |
Secondary armament | 1 x Blitz & Keckler M-3 7.92x57 mm General-purpose machine gun 1 x Blitz & Keckler M-4 13.2x92 mm heavy machine gun 8 × 40 mm Smoke Dischargers |
| Engine | Hurricane Motors MVE-7 8.3 diesel turbo charged engine 275 hp |
| Suspension | 6x6 |
| Fuel capacity | 80 gallons |
Operational range | 600 km |
| Speed | 100 km/h (road) |
The Roland Land Systems Sentinel is a light 6x6 armored vehicle designed and produced by Roland Land Systems intended to provide fire support to infantry. It is in service with the Shenandoahan National Guard as the M934 Heavy Fire Support Vehicle. Armed with a 105 mm cannon designed and produced by VT Cinética of Pequeñoya, it is armed with the same cannon used by the newest versions of the Roland Land Systems Mastiff, and provides superior firepower over its predecessor, the M933 Heavy Fire Support Vehicle, a version of the Roland Land Systems Defender armed with a Karlsbranchen M-1981 90 mm cannon.
Design and development
Initial testing and proof of concept was carried out by Roland Land Systems in 1985 using a modified Roland Land Systems Guardian, replacing its existing turret with the turret from a Mako Light Tank, which were also being fitted to Roland Land System's Mastiff tanks at the time.
Trails on two prototype vehicles began in 1988. Gunnery trials carried out with the 105 mm gun were very successful. These trials included firing the gun at all angles of elevation and firing with the turret traversed 90 degrees to the vehicle's centerline, the results of both being satisfactory. Mobility and firepower trials were carried out in early 1989.
The Sentinel uses many of the same components used by the Roland Land Systems Guardian, and also several improved components, including heavier armor, better vision devices and weapons. The vehicle has a four-person crew, consisting of a driver, loader, gunner and commander. The driver is seated at the front left of the vehicle with the engine compartment to his right. Above his position is a single-piece hatch cover that opens to the rear and in front of this are three periscopes that give observation to the front of the vehicle. The centre periscope can be replaced by a passive night vision periscope for driving at night. In the left side of the hull, to the rear of the driver and between the first and second roadwheel stations, is a square hatch that opens downward to provide access to the vehicle with an observation periscope above. At the rear of the hull are two large outward-opening doors, each of which has a firing port with a vision block above. A single door with an integral vision block is used for ammunition resupply as the turret holds eight rounds, the remaining 28 rounds being carried in the hull.
Powered by a turbocharged 6CTA 8.3 diesel engine, located to the right of the driver, providing a power output of 275 hp (205 kW), the RLS Sentinel includes a fully automatic transmission with six forward gears. The vehicle can travel at a maximum speed of 100 km/h, and has a range of 600 km. It has a weight of 18,500 kg with a length of 6.30 m, a width of 2.667 m and a height of 2.74 m. Inclusion of low observable technologies for reconnaissance operations are also supported, such as minimization of infrared signatures, acoustic signatures and seismic signatures. The RLS Sentinel is designed to be transportable by light tactical cargo aircraft, such as the C-4 Greyhound in service with the Shenandoahan Air National Guard.
The vehicle's main armament is the ALA-82 105 mm L/58 rifled cannon designed and produced by VT Cinética, which is also used to equip the M305A6 Mastiff light tank. A computerized fire control system is used for this weapon, with the power operated winch mounted at the front of the hull. The gunner's sight has an Optic-Electronic day/night sight incorporating an integral laser rangefinder and thermal sight. In addition, the RLS Sentinel is fitted with a single general purpose machine gun, usually a Blitz & Keckler M-3 machine gun, as well as a roof mounted Blitz & Keckler M-4 13.2x92 mm heavy machine gun. 16 smoke grenades are carried for the smoke grenade launchers mounted on each side of the turret.
The hull and turret are of welded cadloy armored steel which provides protection against hits from up to 7.62 mm ammunition and artillery shell splinters. The vehicle's armor offers protection against land mines and fragmentation hand grenades. Additional Armor plates can be fitted on to the hull for additional protection against ballistic impacts.
