K2 Black Panther | |
|---|---|
| Countries | South Korea |
| Role | Main battle tank |
| In service | 2014–present |
| Built | 260 |
The K2 Black Panther (Hangul: K2 ‘흑표’; Hanja: K2 ‘黑豹’) is a next generation South Korean main battle tank designed by the South Korean Agency for Defense Development and manufactured by Hyundai Rotem. Developed as a modern main battle tank that will replace most of the remaining M48 Patton tanks and complement the K1 series of main battle tanks currently fielded by the South Korean military, the K2 Black Panther combines an auto-loaded 55 calibre 120 mm main gun, advanced composite armour along with hard and soft-kill active protection systems. Mass production commenced in 2013 and the first K2s were deployed with the armed forces in June 2014. The K2 costs over US$8.5 million per unit, making it one of the most expensive main battle tanks in service, of any nation.
Source: K2 Black Panther on Wikipedia
| K2 Black Panther | |
|---|---|
| Photographer | Unknow |
| Localisation | Unknow |
| Photos | 10 |
General Characteristics
The K2 Black Panther is a modern Main Battle Tank developed by Hyundai Rotem for the Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) to replace older tanks and complement the K1 series. Designed as a 4th-generation MBT, it incorporates advanced domestic and foreign technologies, notably a high-velocity 120 mm gun with an autoloader, sophisticated composite armor, and a hydropneumatic suspension system that allows for posture control. It is considered one of the most technologically advanced and expensive tanks in the world.
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Role | Main Battle Tank (MBT) |
| National Origin | South Korea |
| Manufacturer | Hyundai Rotem |
| In Service | 2014–Present |
| Crew | 3 (Commander, Gunner, Driver) |
| Combat Weight | 55–56 tonnes |
| Length (Gun Forward) | 10.8 m (35 ft 5 in) |
| Width | 3.6 m (11 ft 10 in) |
Armament and Fire Control
- Main Armament: 1 x 120 mm / L55 smoothbore gun (license-built by Hyundai WIA).
- Loading System: Bustle-mounted autoloader with a capacity of 16 ready rounds, allowing a rate of fire of up to 10–15 rounds per minute.
- Total Ammunition: 40 rounds (16 in autoloader, 24 in hull storage).
- Special Munition: Capable of firing the Korean Smart Top-Attack Munition (KSTAM), an indirect-fire, fire-and-forget, top-attack anti-tank round.
- Secondary Armament: 1 x 12.7 mm K6 heavy machine gun (commander’s) and 1 x 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun.
- Fire Control: Advanced system featuring a millimeter-band radar (for target tracking/MAWS), thermal imagers, and a laser rangefinder, allowing hunter-killer capability and engagement of low-flying aircraft.
Protection and Mobility
- Armor: Composite armor (steel and silicon carbide ceramic plate) supplemented by Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) blocks.
- Active Protection: Fitted with a soft-kill Active Protection System (APS) that includes a Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS) and automatic deployment of Visual and Infrared Screening Smoke (VIRSS) grenades.
- Engine: 1,500 hp V12 diesel engine (MTU or indigenous Doosan).
- Maximum Speed: 70 km/h (43 mph) on road, 50 km/h (31 mph) cross-country.
- Suspension: Semi-active In-arm Suspension Unit (ISU), which allows the tank to “kneel” or tilt to adjust the gun’s elevation/depression.
- Deep Fording: Equipped with an elaborate snorkel system that allows it to cross rivers and water obstacles up to 4.1–5 meters deep.
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