Chunmoo K-MLRS K239 130mm 227mm 239mm

Multi-caliber Launch Rocket System South Korea

Chunmoo K239 multi caliber MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket System South Korean army 925 002

Description

The Chunmoo also called K239 K-MLRS is a multi-caliber launch rocket system designed and manufactured by the South Korean Company Hanwha Corporation. It is a new generation of artillery weapons able to fire different calibers of rockets. The South Korean government awarded a development contract to Hanwha in 2009, and the development of the Chunmoo was completed in 2013. It entered into service with the South Korean Army (ROK) in 2014. The MLRS is now fielded with the ROK Army and Marine Corps. The Chunmoo provides the Army with a non-nuclear, all-weather, indirect, area fire weapon system to strike counter-fire, air defense, armored formations, and other high-payoff targets at all depths of the tactical battlefield. The primary missions of MLRS include the suppression, neutralization, and destruction of threat fire support and forward area air defense targets. More than 100 units have been ordered to replace the old MLRS K136 Kooryong that was deployed in 1986. It has a fast reaction time and can launch its first rockets in less than a few minutes. Each Chunmoo rocket launcher vehicle is associated with its Ammunition Support Vehicle(ASV) using the same truck chassis. The vehicle can carry four pods of rockets or a pod with two KTSSM (Korea Tactical Surface-to-Surface Missile). On August 27, 2022, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak announced that Poland could acquire South Korean K239 Chunmoo rocket launcher systems. On October 20, 2022, the South Korean company Hanwha Defense officially confirmed that Hanwha Defense and Poland entered into a Framework Contract for the delivery of 288 K239 Chunmoo Multiple Rocket Launcher Systems (MRLS). On November 4, 2022, the Polish Ministry of Defense approved an agreement with South Korea for the purchase of 218 Chunmoo MLRS rocket launchers. On November 9, 2022, the Polish Ministry of Defense signed an agreement with the local defense industry to integrate the Chunmoo rocket launcher pod into the Polish Jelcz truck chassis. 

Chunmoo K-MLRS K239 variants:

No variants at this time


Technical Data

Armament
The Chunmoo K-MLRS carries two launch pods able to fire different calibers of rockets. It can fire 130 mm non-guided rockets (20 rockets to each pod), 227mm non-guided rockets (6 rockets to each pod), and 239mm guided rockets (6 rockets to each pod). The pods are mounted on a single turntable which has a traverse of 360°. In the firing position, four hydraulic jacks are lowered on the ground, one on each side and two at the rear of the truck chassis. The Chunmoo can fire 130mm, 227mm, and 239mm rockets. Rockets can be fitted with HE-FRAG (High-Explosive Fragmentation), incendiary, smoke, illumination, cargo warheads with anti-tank or pre-fragmented anti-personnel sub-munitions. The types of rockets can be mixed (for example 1 container of 20x 130mm and 1 container of 6x 239mm). The 130mm rockets have a range of 36 Km while the larger 230 mm-class rockets have a range of about 80 Km for the non-guided one and 160 Km for the guided variant. The Chunmoo 239mm rocket is a guided artillery rocket that enhances its precision by adding up guidance and a control system. It has two types of operation functions, impact bursting and delay bursting which can be selected by the operator. Impact bursting mode is used as anti-personnel or to destroy facilities by detonating warheads when the rocket hits the target. Delay bursting mode is selected to destroy inside buildings or bunkers with its delay function after the target impact. The Chunmoo can also use GPS/INS(Inertial Navigation System)-guided munitions provide long-range, precision-strike capabilities, enabling precision strikes fired from outside the range of the enemy's long-range missile defense system. The Chunmoo is also able to fire KTSSM (Korea Tactical Surface-to-Surface Missile). The KTSSM has a range of around 120 to 200 kilometers, depending on the variant. It is equipped with a high-precision guidance system, which includes GPS, INS (Inertial Navigation System), and terrain-matching guidance. This allows the missile to achieve a high degree of accuracy, with a CEP (Circular Error Probable) of fewer than 2 meters.
Design and protection
The Chunmoo K-MLRS is based on an 8x8 truck chassis also manufactured by the Company Hanwha. The truck has an armored cab located at the front of the chassis that can accommodate a crew of three. It offers protection against the firing of small arms and artillery shell splinters. All the firing operations can be controlled from inside of the crew cabin or remotely from outside of the truck.
Mobility
The Chunmoo K-MLRS is based on an 8x8 military truck chassis powered by a Diesel engine developing 400 hp. It can run at a maximum road speed of 90 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 800 km. It can climb a gradient of 60% and a side slope of 30%. It can cross a trench of 1.4m and a water obstacle of 1.2m deep.
Accessories
The Chunmoo K-MLRS is fitted with a computerized fire control system. The truck is also fitted with a Central Tire Inflation System (CTIS) to provide control over the air pressure in each tire of a vehicle as a way to improve performance on different surfaces.

Specifications

Armament Armor
Two pods of 20 or 6 rockets The crew cab of the Chunmoo truck provides protection against the firing of small arms and artillery shell splinters.
Country users Weight
South Korea 25,000 kg
Designer Country Speed truck
Saudi Arabia, South Korea, United Arab Emirates 90 km/h
Accessories Range truck
Computerized fire control, Central Tire Inflation system for the truck  800 km
Crew Dimensions
3 Length: 9 m; Width: 2.5 m; Height: 3.0 m

Details View

Chunmoo K MLRS K239 mult caliber launch rocket system South Korea Korean army defense industry front view 001
Chunmoo K MLRS K239 mult caliber launch rocket system South Korea Korean army defense industry rear view 001
Chunmoo K MLRS K239 mult caliber launch rocket system South Korea Korean army defense industry left side view 001
Chunmoo K MLRS K239 mult caliber launch rocket system South Korea Korean army defense industry right side view 001

Pictures - Video