South Korea Next Gen Tank, XK2.

**T_igger_cs_30** · 10 Mar 07,, 19:31

Originally Posted by zraver

probalby a drivers FLIR or passive IR driving system.

On the turret

**T_igger_cs_30** · 10 Mar 07,, 19:33

Originally Posted by T_igger_cs_30

On the turret

DUH never mind I read the post again ...properly this time

**Stan187** · 11 Mar 07,, 01:25

Its pretty much like a Leclerc as far as major characteristics, from what I've read. Same drive train design, even same appearance. However, the suspension system it has is an awesome feature, don't know how complicated it is to fix, that could be downer. Very reminiscent of the MBT-70 idea.

**Ironduke** · 12 Mar 07,, 02:56

A snippet I picked up from elsewhere:

Korea's first domestically-made amphibious tank, featuring an auto-loaded 120mm cannon, rolled off the assembly line in Changwon, Friday (March 2).

The next-generation tank, code named "XK2" and nicknamed "Black Panther," will replace the older K1 and American M47/48 tanks starting in 2011, defense officials said.

The new model features an auto-loaded 120 mm cannon, can reach speeds of up to 70 km per hour, and can cross rivers as deep as 4.1 meters using a snorkel, according to its developer, the Agency for Defense Development (ADD).

At the launch ceremony for the tank, President Roh Moo-hyun stressed that Korea's development of a top-tier weapon such as the XK2 with its own technology testifies to the country's defense capability.

"The development of the world's top-level tank--in both mobility and firepower--with our own technology shows the world our commitment to self-defense," Roh said during the ceremony held at the ADD facilities in Changwon, Gyeongsang nam-do (South Gyeongsang Province).

Korea plans to commission the tank after preparations for mass production.

It also aims to export the tanks with the price tag of US$8.5 million per unit, with an adjustment for inflation.

**zraver** · 12 Mar 07,, 04:21

Originally Posted by Stan187

Zraver perhaps you could break down how it compares to the Type 90 and outclasses it? Thanks.

The SK2 is a whole generation newer using the latest L/55 120mm cannon has hunter killer technology, an active defense system, universal FLIR, and is 5 tons heavier and mass equals protection. The big advantage is the generational differance. Better computers, access to battle feild reports from Iraq, drive train and powerplant advances, new gun etc.

The only tank in Asia that can comapre is the M1A2SEP which has some advantages and disadvantages. I still prefer a 4 man crew for a variety of reasons and the new American FLIR is supposed to better than anything else in the world.

**Stan187** · 15 Mar 07,, 03:27

plus, as you said, besides for even the technology of the materials protecting a tank, mass=protection, so an SEP is still way more protected. But then again, the SK2 is more economical tank I imagine, more practical to field.

**Akita** · 25 Apr 07,, 20:25

The Black Panther is the XK-2, not SK-2. South Koreans do NOT call themseves South Koreans, they are Koreans. In service, the tank will be the K-2.

It is NOT amphibious. Reporters picked up on the fording capabilities of the tank and proclaimed it 'amphibious', which it obviously isn't.

The hull and hydro-pneaumatic 'kneeling' suspension are based on those of the K-1 (the 'Type-88 or ROKIT). Great suspension, especially in mountainous terrain. It gives the K-1 and K-2 superior elevation over it's NKPA enemies and allows for better hull-down defensive fire.

**Stan187** · 25 Apr 07,, 21:05

Originally Posted by Akita

The hull and hydro-pneaumatic 'kneeling' suspension are based on those of the K-1 (the 'Type-88 or ROKIT). Great suspension, especially in mountainous terrain. It gives the K-1 and K-2 superior elevation over it's NKPA enemies and allows for better hull-down defensive fire.

What about maintenance and reliability of said suspension?

**Akita** · 25 Apr 07,, 21:33

The 'hydro' suspension has been used for years on the K-1 without any undo maintenance issues. Actually the three interior wheels on each side run on torsion bars like the majority of Western tanks.
IIRC, the Challengers also use a hydro-pneumatic (spelling?) suspension system, (David Brown maybe? I'm not up on Brit tanks...).
The same suspension has been trialled on the M1 at Fort Knox but wasn't considered to be enough of an improvement to be worth the Kazillions for retrofitting to the active fleet.

**Catalan** · 25 Apr 07,, 22:02

The Challenger 2 uses a hydro-pneumatic suspension system, but it's not dynamic (I assume this is what 'kneeling' refers to). In other words, the chassis can't be elevated by the suspension. IIRC, the S-tank did have a dynamic hydro-pneumatic suspension system (as that is how it elevated and depressed the gun), as did the MBT-70 prototype, although neither the Leopard 2 or the M1 adopted this type of suspension.