Rotem KW1 Scorpion

Rotem KW1 Scorpion
Type Armored Personnel Carrier
Place of origin South Korea
Service history
In service 2017[1]
Used by Republic of Korea Army
Production history
Designer Hyundai Rotem
Manufacturer Hyundai Rotem
Specifications
Weight 16 t
Length 6.6 m (22 ft)
Width 2.7 m (8.9 ft)
Height 2.1 m (6.9 ft)
Crew 2 + 9 or 10 passengers

Armor 7.62 mm resistant
Main
armament
40 mm grenade launcher
Secondary
armament
7.62 mm machine gun
Engine HMC diesel
420 hp
Suspension Independent HSU
Operational
range
700–800 km (430–500 mi)
Speed 100 km/h (62 mph) (road)
10 km/h (6.2 mph; 5.4 kn)

The KW1 Scorpion wheeled armored personal carrier is family of 6×6 and 8×8 armored vehicles. Developed by Hyundai Rotem company as private venture in 2012, the Republic of Korea Army declared a plan to acquire 600 6×6 and 8×8 wheeled APCs, in order to help build rapid response forces molded after U.S. Stryker combat brigade according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).[2] The Hyundai Rotem company (subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Group) made the KW1 Scorpion in competition with the Doosan Black Fox and Samsung Techwin MPV, and eventually won the competition.[3][4] Series production is planned to begin in 2017.[1]

Design

The engine is located in the front on the left side, while the driver sits beside the engine to the right. The troop compartment is at the rear, accommodating 10 fully equipped soldiers plus 2 crew members. The troops enter and leave the vehicle via rear automatic ramp in addition to 4 roof hatches.

Protection

The KW1 Scorpion has an all-welded armored hull that provides protection against small arms fire and artillery shell splinters. It can be fitted with add-on armor for a higher level of protection. It is also equipped with NBC protection system.[5] The 8×8 version is more heavily armored than the 6×6 version.[1]

Engine

Initially the KW1 Scorpion was fitted with a Hyundai diesel engine developing 380 hp, but later this engine was replaced with another Hyundai engine developing 420 hp with a 7-speed transmission and 2-mode secondary transmission. This engine is used in 8×8 configuration. The vehicle has an automatic drive line management system, central tire inflation system, and run-flat tires. The Scorpion 8×8 is fully amphibious, propelled by two water jets,[5] but the Scorpion 6×6 is not.[1]

Weapons

The vehicle is provided with a remotely controlled weapon station armed with 40 mm automatic grenade launcher or 12.7 mm machine gun. It can also support a two-man turret, armed with a 30 mm cannon and coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun.[5] It can also feature a manned weapon station with a 40 mm grenade launcher and 7.62 mm machine gun.[1]

Variants

See also

References

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Thursday, April 28, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.