The Polish Armed Forces' RYŚ Med is a medical evacuation vehicle variation based on the RYŚ 8x8 wheeled armoured personnel carrier. Image courtesy of Spike78.
RYŚ Kaktus is a multipurpose command vehicle equipped with an independent power supply source. Image courtesy of Spike78.
RYŚ Kaktus displayed at the International Defence Industry Exhibition MSPO 2008 held at Kielce, Poland. Image courtesy of Spike78.

KTO RYS Wheeled Armoured Personnel Carrier

The KTO RYŚ (WAPC RYŚ) is a family of 8×8 wheeled armoured personnel carriers being manufactured by Poland-based company Wojskowe Zakłady Motoryzacyjne (Military Automotive Works, WZM).

WZM adapted innovative solutions in the field of wheeled armoured vehicles to meet the changing requirement of the Polish Armed Forces and worldwide markets.

The first prototype was rolled out in 2002. The RYŚ WAPC successfully completed all tests in 2004. The base vehicle platform was adapted for building a large family of vehicles.

The RYŚ family of wheeled armoured vehicles can be deployed in troop transportation, command and control, patrol and reconnaissance missions.

RYŚ armoured personnel carrier variation models

"The RYŚ has been designed based on the OT-64 SKOT 8×8 amphibious armoured personnel carrier. The welded armoured steel hull is attached to the 8×8 chassis."

The RYŚ family is available in four variations. RYŚ Med is a medical evacuation vehicle, equipped with stretchers and first aid kits. The vehicle can transport four lying down or eight sitting wounded people. RYŚ MED vehicles were deployed in Iraq by the Polish Armed Forces.

RYŚ Azalia is a firing control system command vehicle designed for long range artillery fire control. The vehicle supports the 155mm SP howitzer KRAB battalion. The vehicle is equipped with terminals and other command and control equipment to allow data transfer among individual cannons of the battalion.

RYŚ Kaktus is a multipurpose command vehicle with modular communication and data transmission systems. The modular design of the vehicle accepts different configurations incorporated by various army command systems. RYŚ Kaktus features a SZAFRAN automated command system terminal, DD 9620 onboard terminal and MK16A communication module.

RYŚ Kobuz is a basic wheeled armoured personnel carrier fitted with a ZSMU Kobuz remotely controlled weapon station (RCWS) fitted with 12.7mm or 7.62mm machine guns. The maximum combat weight of the RYŚ Kobuz is 16,800kg.

RYŚ APC design and features

The RYŚ has been designed based on the OT-64 SKOT 8×8 amphibious armoured personnel carrier. The welded armoured steel hull is attached to the 8×8 chassis.

The internal layout of RYŚ can house 11 personnel including a driver, commander, a gunner and eight mounted soldiers.

The driver and commander sitting in the front section are provided with an OPO-120F day device for observation. The crew cabin is equipped with POD-72 and PNK-72 day and night devices.

The troop compartment features individual seats for infantrymen. The exit doors provided at the rear allow rapid disembarkation of troops.

The RYŚ has a length of 6.43m, width of 2.5m and a height of 2.69m. The vehicle is fitted with an air-condition, air filtration and ventilation system, a fire-extinguishing system and a launching winch with electric drive.

Armaments, self-protection, engines and mobility

The RYŚ basic version can be armed with different types of weapon systems according to the mission requirements.

"WZM adapted innovative solutions in the field of wheeled armoured vehicles to meet the changing requirement of the Polish Armed Forces and worldwide markets."

The vehicle is equipped with external ceramic armour and internal anti blast cover LIM3. The armour provides ballistic protection for crew against small arms fire and 12.7mm calibre artillery shells.

The vehicle can be hinged with an up-armoured kit to provide level IV protection to STANAG 4569 standards.

The RYŚ family of vehicles are powered by EURO 3 compliant Iveco Cursor 8 259kW water-cooled diesel engine coupled to a semi-automatic gear box.

The power pack integrated in a rapidly changeable drive unit can be replaced within 20 minutes. The vehicle has low noise level (73 – 87 dBA), thus providing better work conditions in comparison with similar vehicles of this type.

The vehicle can be switched to amphibious mode without any special preparation before entering in to the water.

The maximum on-road speed of the vehicle is 100km/h and its amphibious speed is 10km/h. The central tyre inflation system fitted on the vehicle controls the air pressure on all tyres to provide better performance on different surfaces.

The RYŚ WAPC is transported by railway and low loading trailers.

The vehicle can be airportable by the C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.


The Global Armoured Vehicles and Counter-IED Vehicles Market 2011-2021

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