The K9 Thunder is a 155mm/52 calibre self-propelled howitzer built for the Republic of Korea Armed
Forces by Hanwha Techwin, formerly known as Samsung Techwin.
It is designed to offer effective and deep fire support in all types of threats and also
to give the artillery arm of the Republik of Korea Army a significant improvement in
capability.
It has a fast rate of fire at a long range which built on a high mobility platform.
The development program of this self-propelled howitzer began since 1989 and finished in
1998.
Today, the K9 Thunder is one of South Korea’s most popular artillery weapon systems available
for trade-in international markets.
Before we move to the next scene, let’s take a look at the specification of this successful
howitzer.
In terms of design, The K9 Thunder platform is made of all-welded steel armour protection
material, with a maximum thickness of 19 millimiter.
The crew of this self-propelled hoster consists of the commander, driver, gunner, assistant
gunner, and loader.
The driver is seated on the left side of the hull with the engine of his right and the
artillery gun system is placed on the right side of the turret near the back of the hull.
The commander and the gunner are seated a single entrance is positioned on the left
side of the turret and the crew can load ammunition through a large door in the hull's rear that
opens to the right.
However, the aspects that shine this artillery againts its competitors is its incorporation
between a Modular Azimuth Position System (MAPS), an automatic fire-control system (AFCS),
a powered gun elevation / depression and a turret traverse system.
Furthermore, the hydro-pneumatic suspension system offers excellent ground clearance and
agility on a variety of turrets.
In regard to its armament, this howitzer has 155mm/52 calibre gun as its main weapon which
capable of firing a burst rate of 3 rounds in less than 15 seconds and a maximum rate
of fire of 6 to 8 rounds in a minute for three minutes.
Sustained rate of fire is from 2 to 3 rounds a minute for one hour within K9 with total
48 projectiles and their associated charges are carried for immediate use.
The K9 is also designed to fit today’s shoot-and-scoot tactial ideas, so the gun was especially made
to be capable of having 18 km maximum range on firing an M107 high explosive shell, 30
km maximum range firing an M549A1 HE Rocket Assisted Projectile with uni-charge of 5 zones,
and 40 km range firing a K301 projectile with a modular-charge of 6 zones.
The information might be sent over a data digital radio link or over voice communications,
with the projectiles are automatically loaded onto the ammunition tray and are ready to
shoot.
Interestingly, it can open fire within 30 seconds at stand out position or within 60
seconds during movement.
In addition, the K9 Thunder is also supplemented by a K10 automatic ammunition re-supply vehicle
built on the K9 plarform where each K10 supports two guns which can carry 104 rounds of ammunition
with a fully tracked vehicle that follows the main artillery battery and can automatically
transfer 12 rounds per minute through a conveyor belt.
This avoids the crew exposure of the combat environment.
For its engine and mobility, it is powered by an MTU MT 881 Ka-500 8-cylinder water cooled
diesel engine coupled to the Allison ATDX1100-5A3 transmission, which produces a power output
of 1,000 hp and has a power-to-weight ratio of 21.6 horsepower/ton.
Meanwhile,the enhanced K9A1 variant’s auxiliary power unit variant can provide up to 10.7
hp of additional power, and the propulsion system provides a top speed over 67 km/h with
a cruising range of 360 km.
Moving on to the next scene, we will take a look at its performance and survivability
The K9 boasts excellent performance with a long shooting range for fire combat and a
fast firing speed for real-time also quick-focused fire power.
It is a unit capable of quick displacement after shooting, and has excellent maneuverability
and survivability.
This artillery also developed customized self-propelled howitzer that meets the requirements of various
countries as well as NATO standards, where its operational capability is excellent in
a range of environments, from deserts to snowy fields, and it is being exported to overseas
countries.
Moreover, the Thunder can fire its first round within 30 seconds from the moment it first
receives firing information from the Fire Direction Center in emplaced situation.
While moving it can fire after 60 seconds, and after firing, the Thunder can quickly
move away from its last position in anticipation of the enemy’s counter fire, before it fires
the next shot.
In regards to its survivability, K9 protects the internal crew and onboard equipment against
155mm shell fragments, 14.5 mm armor piercing shells and anti-personnel mines.
Specifically, in NBC warfare situations, survivability is guaranteed with the on-board air purificartion
system and gas masks for the crew.
Talking about its operational history, this howitzer was in service in October 2003 and
was evaluated by Spain at the military base located in Zaragoza.
Moving on further, K9 was sent to Malaysia in 2004 to test its operation capability in
tropical rainforest environment, but the Thunder saw its first combat during the bombardment
of Yeonpyeong on November 23, 2010.
On August 18, 2017, a K9 operated by the 5th Artillery Brigade of the Republic of Korea
Army was set ablaze during firing exercise, claiming 3 deaths and 4 wounds among crew
members and instructors.
Finally, The production and the delivery of the Thunder ended in June 2018, and in November
2020, the DAPA announced that entire howitzer delivered to the Republic of Korea Armed Forces
is now in full operational capability, ending the K9 Thunder program for the South Korean
military.
For the last point, we will highlight some important aspects of the upgraded K9 Thunder.
K9 Thunder has 2 improvement variants including K9A1 and K9A2.
In regard to the K9A1, this variant is equipped with improvements such as automatic fire control
system, driver’s night periscope, and auxiliary power system for enhanced efficiency.
The improved K9A1 provides increased range, fast fire rate, and higher mobility during
day and night times.
Meanwhile, the other general versions also include the K9A2, an advanced variant of the
K9 Howitzer, the UK’s Mobile Fire Platform programme that is aimed at upgrading artillery
capabilities of the British Army.
It is expected to enhance the firing rate, automatic ammunition loading, and other capabilities
of the artillery.
The advanced variant is being tested by Hanwha Defense also the Korean government-owned research
and development institution, Agency for Defense Development.
The proposed solution for the UK programme will feature mine protection kits, unmanned
turret, and composite rubber tracks.
Hanwha’s robotic K10 ammunition resupply vehicle will also be integrated to provide
an automated resupply capability.
That’s all for today, thank you for watching, i’ll see you in the next video!