K-9 howitzer
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| K9 Thunder self-propelled Howitzer | |
|---|---|
| Type | Self-propelled Howitzer |
| Place of origin | Republic of Korea |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1984–present |
| Used by | Republic of Korea, Turkey |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Samsung Techwin |
| Designed | 1989 |
| Manufacturer | Samsung Techwin |
| Produced | 1999–present |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 47,000 kg |
| Crew | 5 |
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| Caliber | 155mm / 52 cal |
| Rate of fire | 6~8 shots/min |
| Maximum range | 40 km |
The K-9 Thunder is an indigenous South Korean self-propelled 155 mm howitzer developed by Samsung Techwin.
Contents |
[edit] History
The development program of this 155 mm/52-caliber self-propelled howitzer has been underway since 1989. In 1996 the first prototype of this new artillery system was tested. The contract for the new K-9 artillery system was awarded to Samsung Aerospace Industries (SSA) by the Korean Government on 22 December 1998. The contract, the Republic of Korea Army received the first production batch of K-9 from prime contractor SSA in 1999, making it the second country to deploy such a system. Since then the K-9 has been exported to Turkey.
The ROK Army will receive 532 K-9 howitzers. (Option as 700)
[edit] General characteristics
K-9 is an indigenous system of an all-welded steel armour construction which is rated to withstand impact by 14.5 mm armour piercing shells and 152 mm shell fragments. The main armament consists of a 155 mm/52 caliber ordnance with a maximum firing range of 40 km. State-of-the-art mobility subsystems include a 1,000 horsepower engine with potential for growth and hydropneumatic suspension unit.
It was designed to give the artillery wing of the Republic of Korea Army a significant improvement in capability. With a claimed a range of 40 km, it offers greater mobility, longer range, higher rate of fire, and increased battlefield survivability as it can quickly be brought into action, open fire and come out of action. Consequently, it is less likely to be engaged by counterbattery fire.
The unit also supports full NBC protection.
[edit] Specifications
- Weight: 47,000 kg
- Length: 12 m
- Width: 3.4 m
- Height: 3.5 m
- Engine: 1,000 hp MTU MT 881 Ka-500 8-cylinder water-cooled diesel
- Maximum speed: 66 km/h
- Range: 360 km
- Ground clearance: 0.41 m; Gradient: 30°; Vertical obstacle: 0.75 m; Trench crossing: 1.5 m; Fording depth: 1.5 m
- Rate of Fire:
- Maximum: 6~8 round/min
- Sustained: 2~3 round/min
- Maximum effective range:
- HE-high explosive projectile: 18,000 m
- rocket-assisted projectile: 30,000 m
- extended range full-bore-base bleed: 41,600 m
[edit] Time-On-Target
The K-9 has the ability to fire its shells in time-on-target mode. In the TOT mode, the K-9 is able to lob three shells in under 15 seconds--1 shell every 5 seconds--each in different trajectories so that all of the shells will arrive on their target at the same time, creating three times the effect that of previous generation artillery systems.
[edit] K-10 tracked munition carrier/replenisher
The K-10 is a munition carrier/replenisher responsible for re-arming the K-9 Thunder. It is built upon the K-9's chassis. Conventional munition carrier/replenisher for field artillery units are often wheeled cargo trucks that can be hampered by rough terrain and harsh environment, as well as crews who have to expose themselves and manhandle the shells, making them vulnerable to counterbattery fire. The K-10, however, is fully tracked and enjoys the same mobility that K-9 has, and can follow along the main artillery battery without lagging behind.
The reloading process if fully automated, and neither of the crews in the K-9 or K-10 have to expose themselves in order to re-arm. The reloading is done through a munition bridge on the K-10 that extends out to lock itself into the square hole located at the rear of the K-9. This allows for the unit to re-arm itself under harsh conditions where crews' exposure to the environment poses a significant risk, such as nuclear, biological or chemically contaminated areas.
The ROK Army will receive 179 K-10 munition carrier/replenisher.
