K21 Infantry Fighting Vehicle: The Flowering Knight

Yontzee · July 20, 2023, 4:18am

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K21 Infantry Fighting Vehicle: The Flowering Knight

The Flowering Knights, or Hwarang, were a group of elite/deadly warriors from ancient Korea.

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A K21 IFV on during demonstrations.

Basic Description:
- The K21, or K-21 is an Infantry Fighting Vehicle developed my South Korea to replace the K200 KIFV that’s been used since the mid-1980’s. The K21 was developed by Hanwha Defense, or Doosan DST in the late 1990’s with continued development until the mid-2000’s when a final model was produced. Production commenced in 2008, with over 400 vehicles delivered to the South Korean Army. The K-21 has a vast amount of modern technologies that put it well ahead of the strongest Infantry Fighting Vehicles of today such as the BMP-3 and the M2 Bradley. This technology comes in the form of a powerful K40 40mm Autocannon, which is a licensed produced version of the Swedish 40mm Bofors, AT-1K Raybolt Hyungung ATGM’s which are capable of penetrating most main battle tanks through direct fire or top attack, 3rd-generation thermal imagers, armor that is able to withstand 30mm APDS and 14.5mm projectiles, a soft-kill APS system, and more. The K21 is revolutionary to the arms industry as it brings in “fresh blood” so to speak, and it’s digitized architecture allow new upgrades as well as different systems to meet the requirements for foreign customers. The K21 is undergoing a modernization period, with some listing it as the K-21 PIP or Product Improvement Program, to further enhance its capabilities such as a hard-kill APS suite, new engine, integration of the CTA 40 Gun with telescopic ammunition, etc.
- This post is to bring awareness to the uniqueness of ROK vehicles and capabilities.
Specifications:
- Role: Infantry Fighting Vehicle
- Origin:
  - South Korea
- Armament:
  - Primary: K40 40mm Autocannon
    - Ammunition:
      - APFSDS-T
      - HE-T
      - Airburst
    - Coaxial: 7.62x51mm Machine Gun
  - Tertiary: Dual AT-1K Raybolt Hyungung ATGM Launchers
    - Penetration: 900mm Penetration behind ERA (Tandem HEAT)
    - Range: 2,500m
    - Guidance: Infrared/Fire-and-Forget
      - Direct Fire/Top-Attack
Dimensions:
- Length: 6.9m
- Width: 3.4m
- Height: 2.6m
- Weight: 25t+
Mobility:
- Engine: 750hp - Doosan D2840LXE V-10 Turbocharged Diesel Engine
- Max Speed: 70km/h
- Transmission: Automatic
- Suspension: In-arm Hydro-pneumatic
Crew:
- Commander
- Gunner
- Driver
- 9x Additional Passengers
Modifications:
- 3rd generation-Thermal Imagers
  - User(s):
    - Gunner
    - Commander (CITV)
- Night Vision Device(s):
  - User(s):
    - Driver
- Laser Rangefinder
- Laser Warning System/Missile Warning System
- Amphibious
- Soft-Kill APS
- Armor:
  - Composite:
    - 30mm APDS frontal protection.
      - Note: While the front armor was being designed, the developers used the 2A72 gun from a BMP-3 as a reference, therefore the armor can defend against the BMP-3.
    - 14.5mm side/rear protection.
- 10x 76mm Smoke Grenades
In-game:
- With it’s capabilities, it would best be suited around battle rating 10.7 (realistic).
Sources:
Imagery:

Ammunition of the K21.

AT-1K Raybolt Hyungung ATGM Launcher and Missile.

K-21 IFV overview.