A picture was released on the Facebook account of "Korea Defense Blog" on April 6, 2023, showing for the first time, a South Korean Chunmoo MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) equipped with two batch II KTSSM (Korea Tactical Surface-to-Surface Missile).
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A South Korean Chunmoo armed with two KTSSM Korea Tactical Surface-to-Surface Missile. (Picture source Facebook Korea Defense Blog)
The original design of the KTSSM was intended for launching from fixed, concealed launchers, with the Batch-I variant expected to enter service sometime this year. A vehicle-launched variant, known as Batch-II, is also reportedly under development. The Batch-I KTSSM was initially believed to have a range of 180 km, but recent live firing tests have demonstrated an actual range closer to 200 km. An enhanced, longer-range version with a more capable penetrating warhead, called KTSSM-II, is also in development.
Hanwha Aerospace, the manufacturer of the K239 Chunmoo and KTSSM, has previously claimed in marketing campaigns that the K239 Chunmoo platform can launch two KTSSM missiles. This capability had not been demonstrated until December 15, 2022, when Hanwha conducted a live fire demonstration for defense representatives from Poland, Saudi Arabia, Norway, Sweden, and the United Arab Emirates.
The Chunmoo MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) is a South Korean rocket artillery system developed by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and produced by Hanwha Defense. It was first introduced in 2014 and has been in service with the Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) ever since.
The Chunmoo MLRS is designed to provide both short and long-range fire support for ground forces. It is capable of firing various types of rockets and missiles, including 130mm, 227mm, and 239mm caliber rockets with ranges of 36km, 80km, and 120km, respectively. The system is also capable of firing the Cheonmu, a short-range ballistic missile with a range of up to 500 km.
The launcher vehicle is based on an 8x8 wheeled chassis, which allows for greater mobility and faster deployment compared to tracked vehicles. It features a GPS-based navigation and targeting system, which ensures high accuracy and quick response times.
The Chunmoo MLRS is an important part of South Korea's artillery capabilities, providing a flexible and powerful fire support platform for the country's armed forces.
A South Korean Chunmoo MLRS Multiple Launch Rockets System fires a KTSSM ballistic missile (Picture source Facebook Korea Defense Blog)
The KTSSM (Korea Tactical Surface-to-Surface Missile) is a short-range, solid-fueled, and highly accurate tactical ballistic missile developed by South Korea. It was designed to address the increasing threats posed by North Korea's long-range artillery and missile systems, providing a precision-strike capability against key targets, such as enemy command posts, artillery units, and air defense systems.
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.
The missile is carried on a wheeled transporter-erector-launcher (TEL) vehicle, which allows for rapid deployment and mobility. The TEL vehicle typically carries two to four missiles, depending on the specific launcher configuration.
The KTSSM was first publicly revealed in 2017 during a defense exhibition in South Korea. It has been developed as a part of South Korea's efforts to enhance its defense capabilities in response to the evolving security environment on the Korean Peninsula.
