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K9 Thunder
155 mm self-propelled howitzer

The K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer is compatible with standard NATO 155 mm ammunition

Country of origin South Korea

1999
The K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer was
Entered service
Crew 5 men
developed as a replacement for the M109A2K,
Dimensions and weight
also known as the K55, self-propelled howitzers.
Weight 47 t In the late 1980s Republic of Korea Army drew
Length (gun forward) 12 m up its requirements for a new indigenous 155
Hull length ? mm tracked howitzer to meet the requirements of
Width 3.4 m 21st century. Key operational requirements
Height 2.73 m included a higher rate of fire, longer range, better
Armament accuracy and faster into and out of action times.
Main gun 155 mm Development of the K9 Thunder began in 1989.
Barrel length 52 calibers First prototypes were completed in 1994. This
Machine guns 1 x 7.62 mm artillery system entered service in 1999. South
Muzzle velocity ?
Projectile weight ?
Korea ordered a total of 1 136 of these
Maximum firing range 30 - 40 km
howitzers. Finland ordered 48 of these howitzers
Maximum rate of fire 6 rpm for delivery in 2017. India ordered 100 of these
Elevation range - 2.5 to + 70 degrees artillery systems. In 2018 at least 25 units were
Traverse range 360 degrees reportedly delivered to the Indian Army. Norway
Ammunition load ordered 24 of these artillery systems. Egypt was
Main gun 48 rounds also evaluating this system.
Machine guns ?
Mobility The main armament of the K9 Thunder
Engine MTU MT 881 Ka-500 diesel consists of 155 mm/L52 howitzer, fitted with
Engine power 1 000 hp automatic shell handling and ramming system. It
Maximum road speed 66 km/h is compatible with standard NATO 155 mm
Range 480 km ammunition. Maximum range of fire is 30 km with
Maneuverability standard HE projectile and 40 km with rocket-
Gradient 60% assisted projectile.
Side slope 30%
Vertical step 0.75 m The K9 Thunder has a maximum rate of fire of
Trench 2.8 m 6 rounds per minute and is capable of multiple-
Fording 1.5 m round simultaneous-impact firing. It is able to fire
three rounds in 15 seconds, each in different
trajectories, so that all of the shells arrive on
target at the same time. Sustained rate of fire is 2 rounds per minute.
The K9 Thunder is fitted with automatic fire control system with internal navigation system and
automatic gun laying systems. It takes 30 seconds to prepare to fire at emplacement and 60
seconds from movement. Vehicle can shortly leave position to avoid counter-battery fire.
The K9 has all-welded steel hull and turret with a maximum thickness of 19 mm. It provides
protection from small arms and artillery shell fragments. Vehicle is also fitted with NBC protection
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4/11/2019 K9 Thunder 155 mm Self-Propelled Howitzer | Military-Today.com
system.
This self-propelled howitzer has a crew of five, consisting of commander, gunner, assistant
gunner, loader and driver.
Vehicle is powered by German MTU MT 881 Ka-500 diesel engine, developing 1 000
horsepower. Transmission of the K9 Thunder is a further development of that installed on the M1
Abrams main battle tank. The K9 is fitted with a hydropneumatic suspension.
The K9 Thunder is resupplied form the K10 ammunition resupply vehicle. It is based on the K9
chassis. The reloading process is fully automated and can be performed without exposing the
crew under enemy fire or in the contaminated areas.

Variants

K10 ammunition resupply vehicle, based on the K9 chassis. It is used to support the K9
howitzers. South Korea ordered a total of 179 K10s. This resupply vehicle is also used by other
countries.
T-155 Firtina, Turkish self-propelled howitzer with subsystems of the K9 Thunder.
Chassis of the K9 has been exported to Poland for their indigenous Krab 155 mm self-propelled
howitzers. A first batch of Polish Krab howitzers uses a modified chassis of the PT-91 Twardy man
battle tank. However since 2012 production of the engine for this chassis stopped. In 2014 it was
reported that Poland plans to acquire 120 tracked chassis of the South Korean K9 for their Krab
howitzers. First chassis was completed in 2015. It was planned that 36 units will be produced in
South Korea and the rest 84 in Poland.

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