K3 NG-MBT
At the defense exhibition Eurosatory 2024, the leading manufacturers of tanks from Europe presented their latest models of equipment 17-June 2024, such as, for example, the main battle tank (MBT) Leclerc Evolution . At the same time, South Korean Hyundai Rotem is not behind its European colleagues, presenting the next generation (NG-MBT) at the exhibition, which received the previous name K3.
On 23 October 2024, Hyundai Rotem announced that the K3 main battle tank under development will incorporate a hydrogen engine. The hydrogen engine is based on fuel cells (Fuel Cells) in which the chemical reaction of the engine takes place. There are no moving parts, but a chemical reaction that produces the energy. The hydrogen fuel enters the cell from the tank and mixes with oxygen, producing water. This chemical reaction produces the electrical energy required by the vehicle's electric motors to operate and the vehicle to move.
According to Hyundai Rotem, the hydrogen engine has a number of advantages over electric motors. First, their refueling is faster, they do not produce harmful emissions, since water is produced from the chemical process of the cells, the autonomy of the vehicles approaches that of vehicles with diesel engines and they produce less noise. The K3 is being developed under the NG-MBT (Next Generation Main Battle Tank) program of the South Korean Army. It will be a modular design so that it can be easily adapted to the customer's requirements, have financial support and ease of upgrading.
The concept is distinguished by an innovative layout. It is about placing the crew in an armored capsule in the bow of the hull, which provides additional protection against threats. The three-member crew (driver, leader, gunner) will be located at the front of the tank, within an armored section, for greater safety and protection, while the engine will be located at the rear. Particular attention will be paid to the low silhouette of the tank and the reduction of the infrared footprint it will produce.
The new combat vehicle is equipped with an unmanned turret with a remotely controlled 130 mm smoothbore gun capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to 5 km. Also in the tank's arsenal are multi-purpose anti-tank guided missiles (PTKR) with a firing range of up to 8 km, effective for both visible and hidden targets. The armament is complemented by a remote-controlled weapons complex with a caliber from 12.7 to 30 mm. Apart from the 130mm main gun, it will have an automatic loading system, while the other armament (machine guns, laser gun and anti-tank missiles) will be integrated within the turret and deployed when needed.
The NG-MBT is equipped with a Directed Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM) system to protect against thermal missiles, an Active Protection System (APS) and a drone jamming device. Due to its low-profile design and reduced radar and infrared visibility, the tank becomes extremely difficult to detect on the battlefield, reminiscent of the Polish PL-01 tank.
The NG-MBT modular armor system consists of steel, ceramic and composite materials, including very high hardness armor plates and dynamic protection modules. The tank therefore meets STANAG 4569 Level 4a/4b mine protection standards and is further enhanced with stealth technologies, including metamaterial-based RF and infrared camouflage.On top of the factory armor, it will be possible to add floating, removable armor, while the K3 will also incorporate an active self-protection system.
The NG-MBT integrates artificial intelligence algorithms that provide full situational awareness, a combined manned and unmanned system, as well as a CSISR (Command, Control, Communication, Computer, Cyber ??Information Suite, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) system with high-speed satellite communication and connectivity options.
The tank will incorporate the latest technology in terms of both sensors and tactical situational awareness. The combat weight of the K3 will not exceed 55 tons. The desired maximum speed, on the road, is 70 kilometers per hour, while off-road 50 kilometers per hour. Its desired, typical range is 500 kilometers. According to Hyundai Rotem, the K3 prototype will be ready in 2030. Tests and evaluations will follow, and its entry into service is expected around 2035.
