Hanwha K30 Biho (Flying Tiger)

History

Due to the constant threat posed by low-flying aircraft on the modern battlefield, every major, well-organized Army service employs some form of self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG) system. For the Republic of Korea Army, this role is performed by the K30 "Biho" ("Flying Tiger") tracked vehicle. The vehicle will be built on the existing, proven K200 Korean Infantry Fighting Vehicle (KIFV) frame, which is detailed elsewhere on this site, with design work spanning from 1983 to 1991.

Hanwha Defense Systems started production in 1996 and has since produced 176 prototypes. It entered service in 1999.

The 25-ton vehicle combines the existing K200 chassis and undercarriage with an electro-optical/radar combination with a dual 30mm cannon configuration. Fire escape is the TPS-830K series, which combines Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) technology with a thermal sight and laser rangefinder. The Fire Control System (FCS) is fully digital, giving the K30 good accuracy against long-range moving air targets. The 30mm S&T KKCB automatic gun, which spans the turret part on the hull, can also be used effectively against moving land targets. The X-band/pulse Doppler-based radar system can detect airborne targets within 11 miles, giving the crew time to practice the dual-gun array.

The cannons fire at a rate of 600 rounds per minute, filling the target area in the air with explosive shells, with a range of up to 2 miles, and each cannon is equipped with 300 projectiles ready to fire.

Externally, the vehicle has a barrel length of 22.2 feet, a width of 11 feet, and a height of 13.35 feet (radar). There are four crew members inside. Weapons (including radar) are located on either side of the turret, the actual turret is centered on the top of the fuselage.

The driver remains in the forward position of the fuselage. Carry at least two rows of smoke grenade launchers in six rows so that the vehicle can create a self-shielding effect when needed.

The sprocket arrangement is on the side of the fuselage. Six twin tire wheels are seen, with the drive sprocket at the front and the chain idler at the rear. Due to the additional combat weight of the K30 vehicle compared to the current K200 KIFV, an additional road wheel was added to the sides of the K30's hull.

The vehicles were also fitted with a 520 hp MAN-Doosan D2840L series diesel engine (compared to the 350 hp original D2848T) with an S&T Dynamics HMPT500-3EK/4EK transmission (replacing the Allison X200-5K). The vehicle is mounted on a torsion bar suspension system and has good off-road capability with a road speed of 37 mph and a range of 310 miles on internal fuel.

In late 2013, it was announced that the K30 would have 2 x twin-barreled "Shingu Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAM)" (four missiles in total) on the existing turret, in addition to the K30 expected to enter service sometime in 2018 The tactical value of the fleet.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

for everyone else in our database)

Armor

Not available.

Changes