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K200 KIFV


Korean Infantry Fighting Vehicle


Overview


K200A1

K200A1 armored personnel carrier armed with M2HB in turret and M60 on pintle mount.
Source: Mu Yeol Lee @ www.primeportal.net - © copyright lies with original owner

Origin
South Korea
United States
Type
Armored personnel carrier
Entered service
1986
Status
In service
Development
1981 - 1984
Developer
United States - FMC Corporation
South Korea - Daewoo
Production
1985 - 2006
Producer
South Korea - Daewoo
Unit cost
$ 1.4 million
Number produced
2.383 including 111 for Malaysia
Designations
KIFV / Korean Infantry Fighting Vehicle
MICV (Malaysian version)
Notable users
South Korea
Malaysia

Description


Introduction

The KIFV is an armored personnel carrier of South Korean origin. It was developed in the early 1980's and is a further development of the US AIFV. The name KIFV stands for Korean Infantry Fighting Vehicle. Unlike most users of the AIFV design South Korea never adopted a variant with an autocannon as mechanized infantry combat vehicle.

Layout

The KIFV has the same general layout as the AIFV. The two hatch arangement with the turret on the right is retained. Only several specialist vehicles having a single turret in the middle. The early batch KIFV already had a slightly better mobility than the original AIFV. The improved A1 model is the the standard production variant and introduces a steering wheel instead of tillers, a more power engine and a fully automatic transmission. The KIFV resulted in an entire family of vehicles. All these variants are based on the A1 model.

Firepower

The standard armored personnel carrier is armed with a 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun in a small one man turret on the right. Additionally a 7.62mm M60 machine gun on a pintle mount is fitted at the commander's hatch at the left. The KIFV variants, described separately, include 81mm and 107mm mortar carriers and an air defense version with 20mm Vulcan turret.

Protection

The KIFV has an aluminum hull with additional spaced steel armor on the sides. This protects the crew from small arms fire and shell splinters all around and from heavy machine gun rounds over the frontal arc. An NBC system is optional and six smoke grenade dischargers are fitted.

Mobility

The tracked chassis provides a good all terrain performance. A MAN 350 hp diesel engine provides propulsion in the A1 models. The maximum speed is 70 km/h and the operational range is 480 km. The KIFV is fully amphibious and propelled in the water by its tracks.

Users

The KIFV is the main armored personnel carrier in South Korean service with over 2.000 in service. The only export sale of the KIFV was to Malaysia.

Variants


K200A1

K200A1 armored personnel carrier demonstrating its amphibious capability.
Source: US Army - © public domain

The K200 is the standard armored personnel carrier version of the KIFV and is the most produced variant. It is armed with a one man turret with 12.7mm M2HB machine gun and a pintle mounted 7.62mm M60 machine gun.
Based on this chassis a wide variety of specialist models was developed. These are describe separately.

K200
Original armored personnel carrier version. Only variant produced with less powerful engine and tillers instead of a steering wheel.
K200A1
Main production variant. Similar to K200, but with improved mobility. Features a more powerful engine, a steering wheel and improved transmission.
K200A1 ambulance
Unarmed battlefield ambulance version based on the K200.
K261A1
NBC reconnaissance vehicle based on the K200A1. Features NBC detection equipment at the rear and a specialist crew.

Details


Facts K200 K200A1
General
Origin
South Korea
Type
Armored personnel carrier
Crew
3 + 9 (commander, driver, gunner, 9 infantry)
Dimensions
Weight
12.9 t combat load
10.7 t empty
Length
5.49 m
Width
2.85 m
Height
2.54 m overall
1.93 m hull top
Main armament
Type
12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun
Mount
One man turret with gun shield
Ammunition
100 rounds ready to fire, total number unknown
Traverse
Manual traverse and elevation
Stabilizer
No
Secondary armament
Type
7.62mm M60 machine gun
Mount
Pintle mount on roof
Ammunition
100 rounds ready to fire, total number unknown
Traverse
Manual traverse and elevation
Stabilizer
No
Chassis
Chassis type
Tracked chassis, 5 roadwheels
Layout
Drive sprocket front, idler rear
Track width
0.38 m
Ground pressure
0.63 kg/cm²
Suspension
Torsion bar
Automotive
Engine
MAN D2848T V8 diesel
Power output
280 hp at 2.300 rpm
Transmission
T-300 semi-automatic
7 forward, 7 reverse
Fuel
400 L
Mobility
Speed
74 km/h on road
6 km/h afloat
Range
480 km
Power to weight ratio
21.7 hp/t
Obstacle crossing
Ground clearance
0.41 m
Wall
0.6 m
Trench
1.7 m
Gradient
60 %
Slope
30 %
Fording
Amphibious
Protection
Armor type
Aluminum with steel spaced applique armor
NBC system
Optional
Smoke system
6x smoke grenade launcher
Equipment
Night vision
Yes, for driver

KIFV family of vehicles


K277 command post vehicle

The K277A1 is an armored command post vehicle based on the K200. It has a raised roof can is fitted with tables, communications equipment and an NBC detection unit. A ring mounted 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun is fitted. A tent can be erected at the rear to increase the available space.

K263 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun

The K263A1 is the self-propelled anti-aircraft gun variant of the KIFV. It is fitted with the same turret as used on the US M163 Vulcan. The K263A1 is fitted with the range only radar on the right of the turret. The 20mm M168 minigun may also be used against ground targets.

K242 self-propelled mortar

The K242 and K281 are mortar carriers based on the KIFV chassis. The mortar is mountd on a turntable at the rear and fires through large hatches in the roof. The crew and ammunition are carried within the vehicle. A baseplate is carried to use the mortar away from the vehicle. A 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun is fitted for self-defense. The K242A1 is amortar carrier with 107mm M30 mortar. The K281A1 is a mortar carrier with 81mm mortar.

K288 armored recovery vehicle

The K288A1 is an armored recovery vehicle based on the KIFV. It is fitted with a 10 t winch that can be double rigged for a 20 t capacity. A 6t crane is located at the rear of the of the vehicle which may be used to change engine blocks. Additionally tools and spare parts are carried. Two outriggers are fitted at the rear for use when operating the winch. A ring mounted 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun is fitted for self-defense.