K300 NIFV
Encyclopedia
A replacement for the South Korean K200 series infantry fighting vehicle
s is currently being tested, designated as K300 or XK21 KNIFV (Korea Next-generation Infantry Fighting Vehicle). The initial production is set for 2008, with the ROKA
planning to field approximately 466 units. It is designed to effectively defeat other IFVs as heavily armed and armored as the BMP-3
.
series, increasing both speed and payload.
The design was finally deemed production-ready in 2009, following 10 years in development and a research budget expenditure of approximately USD $80m. More than 85% of the vehicle's design is domestic. However a redesign is in order following the sinking of two vehicles while engaged in amphibious operations, a board of inquiry found that the problem was a lack of buoyancy, a malfunctioning wave plate and a technical problem with the drain pump, all of which will corrected for in the new design.
K40 40 mm cannon capable of firing APFSDS, high-explosive, smoke and multipurpose munitions, and a 7.62 mm machine gun. This will be combined with an advanced fire-control system and gun stabilizer usually found on third-generation main battle tanks that will make the XK21, together with the German Puma
, able to move and engage the targets with high degree of accuracy at the same time. The ammunition for the autocannon is stored under the turret.
The 40 mm cannon can fire up to 300 rounds per minute, with a projectile velocity of up to 1,005 m/s. The improved APFSDS rounds fired from it will be able to penetrate up to 160–220 mm of armor, slightly higher than other APFSDS rounds, due to the self-sharpening process as the round penetrates the armour.
The multipurpose munition (Hangul
: 복합기능탄) has several modes including proximity, air burst, armour-piercing and fragmentation. The mode can be configured by the XK21's FCS, which then transmits the necessary data to a small programmable fuse system inside the round before it is fired. This allows more control over the trajectory and impact of the round, expanding the scope of possible targets from medium armored vehicles to aircraft and infantry personnel.
Anti-tank armament includes indigenous 3rd-generation ATGM, with performance similar to the Israeli Spike
and armour penetration from 700 mm to 1,000 mm of RHA base.
The gunner's sight is equipped with a third generation thermal viewer and a 1.54 um laser range-finder. It can detect targets from 6,000 meters away and identify them from 3,000 meters away. The commander's sight is equipped with the same system as the gunner's. This will allow the gunner to use the commander's sight to engage targets if his own sight is disabled or destroyed. The commander of the vehicle also has the ability to override the command to take control of the turret and gun from the gunner.
The vehicle has a soft self-sealing fuel tank
that can absorb the impact of a projectile. There is also an automatic fire suppression
system inside the vehicle to extinguish any internal fires that might erupt.
The XK21 PIP will include an active protection suite and hard-kill anti-missile system similar to the AWiSS that will also be utilized for the K2 PIP. This will increase the vehicle's ability to defend itself against various ATGMs.
A newly developed semi-active ISU, or In-arm Suspension Unit, is available for the XK21. The same unit is to be used on the K2 Black Panther. Despite having the same ISU used on the K2 Black Panther, the XK21 cannot change its posture.
The vehicle can travel on both land and water. "Pontoon System" gives more buoyancy to float on water when additional weight is put on to the vehicle.
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Infantry fighting vehicle
An infantry fighting vehicle , also known as a mechanized infantry combat vehicle , is a type of armoured fighting vehicle used to carry infantry into battle and provide fire support for them...
s is currently being tested, designated as K300 or XK21 KNIFV (Korea Next-generation Infantry Fighting Vehicle). The initial production is set for 2008, with the ROKA
Roka
Roka is a khum of Sangkae District in Battambang Province in north-western Cambodia.-Villages:* Chhung Tradak* Pou Batdambang* Ambaeng Thngae* Roka* Ta Haen Muoy* Ta Haen Pir...
planning to field approximately 466 units. It is designed to effectively defeat other IFVs as heavily armed and armored as the BMP-3
BMP-3
The BMP-3 is a Russian amphibious infantry fighting vehicle, successor to the BMP-1 and BMP-2. BMP stands for Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty .- Production history :...
.
Construction
The XK21 KNIFV's chassis is constructed entirely out of fiberglass, reducing the weight of the vehicle and enabling it to travel at higher speeds without bulky and powerful engines. The NIFV is be lighter than other IFVs, including the American BradleyM3 Bradley
The M3 Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicle is an American tracked armored reconnaissance vehicle manufactured by BAE Systems Land and Armaments based on the Bradley Fighting Vehicle family. The M3 CFV is used by heavy armored cavalry units in the U.S. Army.-History:The M3 Bradley was originally...
series, increasing both speed and payload.
The design was finally deemed production-ready in 2009, following 10 years in development and a research budget expenditure of approximately USD $80m. More than 85% of the vehicle's design is domestic. However a redesign is in order following the sinking of two vehicles while engaged in amphibious operations, a board of inquiry found that the problem was a lack of buoyancy, a malfunctioning wave plate and a technical problem with the drain pump, all of which will corrected for in the new design.
Armaments
The two-man turret on the XK21 will be armed with an S&T DynamicsS&T Dynamics
S&T Dynamics is a South Korean weapons, windpower, auto parts and casting and machine tools manufacturer founded in 1959. Its heavy weapons equip most frontline units of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces.- History :...
K40 40 mm cannon capable of firing APFSDS, high-explosive, smoke and multipurpose munitions, and a 7.62 mm machine gun. This will be combined with an advanced fire-control system and gun stabilizer usually found on third-generation main battle tanks that will make the XK21, together with the German Puma
Puma (IFV)
The Puma is a German infantry fighting vehicle, the mass production has started on the 6th July 2009. It will replace the aging Marder IFVs, from 2010 through 2020. Governing company is PSM Projekt System Management, a joint venture of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall Landsysteme. The Puma is...
, able to move and engage the targets with high degree of accuracy at the same time. The ammunition for the autocannon is stored under the turret.
The 40 mm cannon can fire up to 300 rounds per minute, with a projectile velocity of up to 1,005 m/s. The improved APFSDS rounds fired from it will be able to penetrate up to 160–220 mm of armor, slightly higher than other APFSDS rounds, due to the self-sharpening process as the round penetrates the armour.
The multipurpose munition (Hangul
Hangul
Hangul,Pronounced or ; Korean: 한글 Hangeul/Han'gŭl or 조선글 Chosŏn'gŭl/Joseongeul the Korean alphabet, is the native alphabet of the Korean language. It is a separate script from Hanja, the logographic Chinese characters which are also sometimes used to write Korean...
: 복합기능탄) has several modes including proximity, air burst, armour-piercing and fragmentation. The mode can be configured by the XK21's FCS, which then transmits the necessary data to a small programmable fuse system inside the round before it is fired. This allows more control over the trajectory and impact of the round, expanding the scope of possible targets from medium armored vehicles to aircraft and infantry personnel.
Anti-tank armament includes indigenous 3rd-generation ATGM, with performance similar to the Israeli Spike
Spike (missile)
Spike is a fourth generation man-portable fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile with tandem-charged HEAT warhead, developed and designed by the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and in service with a number of nations....
and armour penetration from 700 mm to 1,000 mm of RHA base.
Sensors
The fire-control system is able to spot and track targets as far away as 6,000 meters away and identify them from up to 3,000 meters away. IFF sensors are also present. The vehicle will also have hunter-killer capabilities with its separate commander's sight (IFV Commander's Panoramic Sight or ICPS) and gunner's sight (IFV Gunner's Primary Sight or IGPS), which can detect both ground and aerial targets. The sights are designed by Samsung Thales.The gunner's sight is equipped with a third generation thermal viewer and a 1.54 um laser range-finder. It can detect targets from 6,000 meters away and identify them from 3,000 meters away. The commander's sight is equipped with the same system as the gunner's. This will allow the gunner to use the commander's sight to engage targets if his own sight is disabled or destroyed. The commander of the vehicle also has the ability to override the command to take control of the turret and gun from the gunner.
Armour
Although not much is known about the composition of the XK21's armour, the frontal armour of the vehicle is specifically designed to protect against large caliber automatic cannon rounds, primarily the 30 mm APDS munitions for 2A72 automatic cannon used on BMP-3, which has approximately 50 mm armour penetration at ranges of 1,000 m. The side armour is designed to protect against 14.5 mm AP rounds, which has approximately 25 mm armour penetration at ranges of 1,000 m. The top can withstand fragments from 152 mm artillery shells exploding as close as 10 meters. Speculations have been made and it is assumed that the KNIFV has multiple layer armour (with S-2 glass fiber and ceramic complex) including lightweight aluminium alloy.The vehicle has a soft self-sealing fuel tank
Self-sealing fuel tank
In aviation, self-sealing fuel tank is a fuel tank technology in wide use since World War II that prevents fuel tanks primarily on aircraft from leaking fuel and igniting after being damaged by enemy fire....
that can absorb the impact of a projectile. There is also an automatic fire suppression
Automatic fire suppression
Automatic fire suppression systems control and extinguish fires without human intervention.According to the National Fire Protection Association, there were 1,602,000 fires reported in the United States in 2005. There were 3,675 civilian deaths, 17,925 civilian injuries, and $9.2 billion in...
system inside the vehicle to extinguish any internal fires that might erupt.
The XK21 PIP will include an active protection suite and hard-kill anti-missile system similar to the AWiSS that will also be utilized for the K2 PIP. This will increase the vehicle's ability to defend itself against various ATGMs.
Troop deployment
The XK21 is able to carry a total of 9 passengers and 3 more vehicle crew members. With the Battle Management System, the vehicle crew and passengers inside the vehicle can be instantly notified about the environment around them, improving their situational awareness. A 15-inch screen is installed inside the passenger compartment, which provides various data from the BMS. The vehicle is mounted with an external CCD camera, and the passengers inside can survey the environment using the same screen.Mobility
The XK21 is equipped with Doosan D2840LXE V-10 diesel engine, equipped with a turbocharger. The vehicle itself is approximately 25 tonnes which, combined with the total output of the engine, gives it a power/weight ratio of approximately 27 hp/t. The XK21 PIP will feature an improved version of the engine that will give the vehicle an increased power of 840 hp.A newly developed semi-active ISU, or In-arm Suspension Unit, is available for the XK21. The same unit is to be used on the K2 Black Panther. Despite having the same ISU used on the K2 Black Panther, the XK21 cannot change its posture.
The vehicle can travel on both land and water. "Pontoon System" gives more buoyancy to float on water when additional weight is put on to the vehicle.
Pricing
The current estimated cost of the vehicle is approximately KRW₩3,200,000,000. (Approximately USD$2.8m)External links
See also
Schützenpanzer PumaPuma (IFV)
The Puma is a German infantry fighting vehicle, the mass production has started on the 6th July 2009. It will replace the aging Marder IFVs, from 2010 through 2020. Governing company is PSM Projekt System Management, a joint venture of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall Landsysteme. The Puma is...
ZBD-97
ZBD-97
The ZBD-97 or Type 97 is a Chinese Infantry fighting vehicle. It mounts a turret similar in design to that of the Russian BMP-3, although the chassis is different, with a front mounted engine, and rear troop compartment....
Dardo IFV
Dardo IFV
The Dardo is a infantry fighting vehicle designed for the Italian Army as a replacement for the M113 APC. It is designed and built by the Iveco Fiat Oto Melara Syndicated Company based in Rome...
Anders
Anders (tank)
The WPB Anders is a family of medium, tracked combat vehicles. The vehicle is designed by OBRUM part of the Bumar Group...
Bionix AFV
Bionix AFV
The Bionix is a family of tracked Singaporean armoured fighting vehicles developed by Singapore Technologies Kinetics . Intended to augment the Singapore Army's aging M113 armoured personnel carriers, it is the first indigenous armoured vehicle to be developed in Southeast Asia...
CV90 IFV
Combat Vehicle 90
The Combat Vehicle 90 or Stridsfordon 90 is a Swedish infantry fighting vehicle designed by Hägglunds where the first generation was fitted with a Bofors turret. It is currently produced by BAE Systems Hägglunds.-Background:...
FV510 Warrior M2 Bradley IFV
M2 Bradley
The Bradley Fighting Vehicle is an American fighting vehicle platform manufactured by BAE Systems Land and Armaments, formerly United Defense.As with other infantry fighting vehicles, the Bradley is designed to transport infantry with armor protection while providing covering fire to suppress enemy...