K-9 howitzer
Encyclopedia
The K9 Thunder is a South Korean self-propelled 155 mm howitzer
developed by Samsung Techwin
for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces. It was developed to supplement and eventually replace the K55 self-propelled howitzers currently in South Korean service. K9 howitzers operate in groups with the K10 automatic ammunition resupply vehicle.
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 K9 artillery system was awarded to Samsung Aerospace Industries (SSA) by the Korean Government on 22 December 1998. Republic of Korea Army received its first batch of K9 in 1999.
The K9 was involved in the Bombardment of Yeonpyeong
between North and South Korean artillery units on 23 November 2010.
unit, a requirement for Korea's rugged mountainous terrain.
It was designed to give the artillery wing of the Republic of Korea Army
a significant improvement in capability. With a claimed 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. It is less likely to be engaged by counter-battery fire, by relying on shoot-and-scoot
. The unit also supports full CBRN protection.
The reloading process is fully automated. The reloading is done through a munition bridge on the K10 that extends out to lock itself into a reception hole located at the rear of the K9. This allows the unit to rearm itself under harsh combat conditions without the crew having to expose themselves to the combat environment.
on November 23, 2010, six South Korean Marine Corps K9s were fired by the South at North Korea The K9 engines had been damaged by the antifreeze fluid used.
In recent times, in a newer series of military exercises; the artillery batteries of South Korea has emplaced the K9 Thunder for bewarnirg of the north border into a attack scenario in the future.
. Turkey received its first batch of the K9 and the license to domestically produce the system in 2004, in a deal that amounted to $1 billion. The domestic Turkish version was renamed as T-155 Firtina
. Turkey is expected to field a force of 300 Firtinas by 2011.
The K9 is also one of the three contenders for SPH part of Australia's Land 17 Artillery Replacement Program, facing off against Krauss-Maffei Wegmann's PzH 2000
.
Republic of Korea Armed Forces - 532
Howitzer
A howitzer is a type of artillery piece characterized by a relatively short barrel and the use of comparatively small propellant charges to propel projectiles at relatively high trajectories, with a steep angle of descent...
developed by Samsung Techwin
Samsung Techwin
Samsung Techwin is a surveillance, aeronautics, optoelectronics, automations and defense company. It is a subsidiary of Samsung Group. The company employs 4720 employees and is headquartered in South Korea. Its totals sales in 2010 was 3,198 billion won....
for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces. It was developed to supplement and eventually replace the K55 self-propelled howitzers currently in South Korean service. K9 howitzers operate in groups with the K10 automatic ammunition resupply vehicle.
History
The development program of this 155 mm/52-caliberCaliber (artillery)
In artillery, caliber or calibredifference in British English and American English spelling is the internal diameter of a gun barrel, or by extension a relative measure of the length....
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 K9 artillery system was awarded to Samsung Aerospace Industries (SSA) by the Korean Government on 22 December 1998. Republic of Korea Army received its first batch of K9 in 1999.
The K9 was involved in the Bombardment of Yeonpyeong
Bombardment of Yeonpyeong
The bombardment of Yeonpyeong was an artillery engagement between the North Korean military and South Korean forces stationed on Yeonpyeong Island on November 23, 2010. Following a South Korean regular artillery exercise at waters in the south, North Korean forces fired around 170 artillery shells...
between North and South Korean artillery units on 23 November 2010.
General characteristics
K9 is an indigenous system of an all-welded steel armour construction which is rated to withstand impact by 14.5 mm armour piercing shells, 152 mm shell fragments, and anti-personnel mines. 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 1000 hp engine with potential for growth and hydropneumatic suspensionHydropneumatic suspension
Hydropneumatic suspension is a type of automotive suspension system, invented by Citroën, and fitted to Citroën cars, as well as being used under licence by other car manufacturers, notably Rolls-Royce, and Peugeot. It was also used on Berliet trucks and is since recently used on Mercedes-Benz...
unit, a requirement for Korea's rugged mountainous terrain.
It was designed to give the artillery wing of the Republic of Korea Army
Republic of Korea Army
The Republic of Korea Army is the largest of the military branches of the South Korean armed forces with 520,000 members as of 2010...
a significant improvement in capability. With a claimed 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. It is less likely to be engaged by counter-battery fire, by relying on shoot-and-scoot
Shoot-and-scoot
The term shoot and scoot refers to an artillery tactic of firing at a target and then immediately moving away from the location where the shots were fired. The reason for this is to avoid counter-battery fire - fired by enemy artillery or delivered by attack aircraft and helicopters, in order to...
. The unit also supports full CBRN protection.
Time-On-Target
The K9 has the ability to fire its shells in "time-on-target" (TOT) mode. In the TOT mode, the K9 is able to fire 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. This is also known as Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact (MRSI).K10 Ammunition Resupply Vehicle (ARV)
The K10 is an automatic ammunition resupply vehicle built on the K9 platform, part of the K9 Thunder system. It shares the same chassis as K9, preserving K9's mobility, and can follow the main artillery battery without lagging behind. Maximum transfer rate of shells is 12 rounds per minute, and maximum load of shells is 104 rounds.The reloading process is fully automated. The reloading is done through a munition bridge on the K10 that extends out to lock itself into a reception hole located at the rear of the K9. This allows the unit to rearm itself under harsh combat conditions without the crew having to expose themselves to the combat environment.
Operational History
During the Bombardment of YeonpyeongBombardment of Yeonpyeong
The bombardment of Yeonpyeong was an artillery engagement between the North Korean military and South Korean forces stationed on Yeonpyeong Island on November 23, 2010. Following a South Korean regular artillery exercise at waters in the south, North Korean forces fired around 170 artillery shells...
on November 23, 2010, six South Korean Marine Corps K9s were fired by the South at North Korea The K9 engines had been damaged by the antifreeze fluid used.
In recent times, in a newer series of military exercises; the artillery batteries of South Korea has emplaced the K9 Thunder for bewarnirg of the north border into a attack scenario in the future.
Export
The first country Samsung Techwin sold the K9 to was TurkeyTurkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. Turkey received its first batch of the K9 and the license to domestically produce the system in 2004, in a deal that amounted to $1 billion. The domestic Turkish version was renamed as T-155 Firtina
T-155 Firtina
T-155 Fırtına is the Turkish variant of the K9 Thunder 155mm self-propelled howitzer by Samsung Techwin.Though essentially using the main systems of the K9 howitzer, including the South Korean designed 155/52 caliber gun system, majority of the chassis, automatic ammunition feeding mechanism, and...
. Turkey is expected to field a force of 300 Firtinas by 2011.
The K9 is also one of the three contenders for SPH part of Australia's Land 17 Artillery Replacement Program, facing off against Krauss-Maffei Wegmann's PzH 2000
PzH 2000
The Panzerhaubitze 2000 , abbreviated PzH 2000, is a German 155 mm self-propelled howitzer developed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall for the German Army. The PzH 2000 is one of the most powerful conventional artillery systems currently deployed...
.
Operators
Republic of Korea Armed Forces - 532
- Republic of Korea ArmyRepublic of Korea ArmyThe Republic of Korea Army is the largest of the military branches of the South Korean armed forces with 520,000 members as of 2010...
- K9
- K10
- Republic of Korea Marine CorpsRepublic of Korea Marine CorpsThe Republic of Korea Marine Corps is the marine corps of the Republic of Korea...
- K9
- K10