K30 Biho: South Korean Flying Tiger

Suggestions Ground
1
Would you like to see this in-game?
  • Yes
  • No
0 voters

US_Army_photo_160803-A-VV548-006_Standing_Watch_together
US_Army_photo_160803-A-VV548-006_Standing_Watch_together2250×1500 1.44 MB

K30 Biho on joint exercises with US forces at Nightmare Range near Pocheon, South Korea on 3 August 2016 (source: File:US Army photo 160803-A-VV548-006 Standing Watch together.jpg - Wikimedia Commons)

TL;DR: South Korean SPAAG with 30 mm autocannons and MANPADS.

The K30 Biho is an SPAAG developed by South Korea and currently in service with the Republic of Korea Army. Development began in 1983 to supplement the K263A1 (an M61 Vulcan-armed SPAAG similar to the American M163 VADS), and initial production began in 2001.

The Biho mounted two Oerlikon KCB 30 mm autocannons on a chassis based on the K200 KIFV. It had advanced internal electronics, including the TPS-830K surveillance and fire control radar, an electro-optical targeting system, a laser rangefinder, and a thermal sight. In 2013 an upgraded version was developed that added 4 KP-SAM Chiron/Shingung IR-guided MANPADS and also replaced the original 350 hp D2848T engine with the more powerful 520 hp D2840L. This version was in production from 2015 and entered service in 2018. It was also selected by the Indian Army for their Self Propelled Air Defence Gun Missile System program in 2019, defeating the Russian Tunguska and Pantsir systems, but the order of 104 units was cancelled in 2020 in favour of indigenously developed systems.

Both versions of the Biho could be implemented in the upcoming Korean tech tree in War Thunder, with the original placed around 8.7 and the upgraded version placed around 9.7, where their effective armaments and advanced FCS should easily clear the skies.

Specifications

Crew: 4 (driver in front, gunner and commander in turret, loader in rear)
Dimensions: 6.77 meters long, 3 meters wide, 4.05 meters high
Armour: aluminium alloy, thickness unknown
Max speed: 60 km/h
Weight: 26.5 t
Engine: D2848T with 350 hp (early version), D2840L with 520 hp (late version)
Power-to-weight: 13.2 hp/t (early version), 19.6 hp/t (late version)

Armament:

  • Primary armament: 2x 30 mm Oerlikon KCB
    • Rate of fire: 650 rpm per gun
    • Traverse: 360˚
    • Elevation: -10˚/+70˚ or +85˚ (source conflict)
    • Ammunition: 300 rounds per gun (600 total)
  • Secondary armament: 4x KP-SAM Chiron/Shingung MANPADS (late version only)
    • Guidance: two-colour infrared seeker with IRCCM
    • Max speed: Mach 2.5
    • Max range: 7 km
    • Max altitude: 4 km
  • 10x smoke grenades

Electronics:

  • TPS-830K surveillance and fire control radar, 17 km range
  • Electro-optical targeting system, 7 km range
  • Laser rangefinder
  • Thermal sight
More pictures

2011.5.3_육군방공학교_비호사격_(7633942120)
2011.5.3_육군방공학교_비호사격_(7633942120)2953×1459 166 KB

Biho (early) during firing tests (source: File:2011.5.3 육군방공학교 비호사격 (7633942120).jpg - Wikimedia Commons)

2560px-2014_대한민국_방위산업전(DX_Korea)육군의_명품_무기와_장비_소개(14960330913)
2560px-2014_대한민국_방위산업전(DX_Korea)육군의_명품_무기와_장비_소개(14960330913)2560×1707 1.25 MB

Biho (early) on manoeuvres (source: File:2014 대한민국 방위산업전(DX Korea) 육군의 명품 무기와 장비 소개 (14960330913).jpg - Wikimedia Commons)

Upgraded_Biho_30mm-missiles_air_defense_armored_vehicle_in_service_with_ROK_army_925_001
Biho (late) on display (source: DX Korea 2018: Upgraded Biho 30mm-missiles air defense vehicle in serv)

84028475_751017282093130_1564235842346549248_n
Biho (late) in Indian camouflage (source: Redirecting...)

83804298_751017315426460_59557525514616832_n
Biho (late) in Indian camouflage (source: Redirecting...)

Sources
1 Like
2

K30 Biho

K30 SAM Biho Hybrid

Both variants use the same guns and can use EOTS, but the K30 SAM has several additional improvements, not only in missile capability. The radar’s range has been increased from 17 to 21 kilometers, and it now has a gunner’s thermal (x3.0-x10.0) and LRF.

3 Likes
3

Good enough. Welcome back Falcon SPAAG.