new S Korean tank...

[Shan]

I just found this: http://www.defense-aerospace.com/cgi...&modele=jdc_34
- looks promising, but won't become generally available before 2011 so it's not too much of an issue for the game... just curious, has anyone found some other info on this (anything not in Korean...;-))

[DRG]

IDK if something was "lost in translation" but "Korea's first domestically-made amphibious tank" is NOT "amphibious" if it needs a snorkel to "cross rivers as deep as 4.1 meters" .


http://www.globalsecurity.org/milita...d/rok/xk-2.htm

and this link has a lovely 3/4 top view

http://kin.naver.com/db/detail.php?d...Bz&qb=yObHpQ==

as well....there's Wikipedia...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XK2
Don

[whdonnelly]

I just went to yahoo's korean site, and the translation should be more like "submersing" than amphibious.
Here it is:
Code-named “XK2,” the tank is capable of operating in water up to 4.1 meters (13 feet) deep.

Immediately after it surfaces, the tanks can switch to combat mode, the agency said.

“The tanks are capable of crossing a river without other equipment,” said Kim Eui-hwan, who led the project at the Agency for Defense Development.

The agency also said the XK2s are the first tanks in which the gun turrets can go underwater.

The 55-ton tank is armed with an autoloading 120 mm cannon; its top speed is 70 kilometers (43 miles) per hour.

Each tank will be manned by three people.

It also has an anti-helicopter weapon system.

[whdonnelly]

My Korean language skill is getting rusty, but here is more on the tank according to the project leader:
It will be the most high-tech tank in the world.
It can cross most rivers in Europe without special equipment.
Turkey is very interested in it.
It is superior to all North Korean tanks.

The sales pitch didn't mention the tanks' ability to take a punch.

[Shan]

It looks like it's comparable to the Leclerc in configuration - first underwater tank is a bit overstated, as all soviet tanks had snorkel equipment, while the Leopard I + II had an escape pipe or however you might call that on top of the commander's hatch... anyway, it might not be the most pressing issue for adding a new vehicle, as it won't be available too soon, I just thought the tankies among us might be interested...

[pdoktar]

First tanks where the gun turrets can go underwater..? What about the deep fording capability of T-series and the like.. what does this mean.. nothing new I´d say. Or is it that it can engage in combat immediately after resurfacing.. what?

[whdonnelly]

I'll keep searching the news because I'm really wondering how the "highest tech" claim will be backed up.