The modern North Korean Army maintains a considerable stash of artillery systems - both towed and self-propelled. Part of this inventory includes self-propelled rocket-projecting vehicles - or Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRSs) - with ever-increasing range and ballistic capabilities. Among the group available to the Army service is the "KN-09". Believed to have been designed and developed around 2014 or earlier, the KN-09 was introduced for service in 2016. It is thought to be based / influenced on the Soviet-Russian BM-30 "Smerch" series of vehicles (detailed elsewhere on this site).
At the heart of the KN-09 system is an eight-tube launcher component fielding 300mm (12") battlefield surface-to-surface rockets. These rockets have a suspected maximum range between 100 and 200 kilometers and can mount various warheads (including chemical, incendiary and mines) beyond the typical HE-FRAG (High-Explosive, FRAGmentation) type. The eight rockets arrive as two four-shot units and can be reloaded as an entire four-shot pod allowing the system to fire subsequent rocket loads in short order. Setup time is minimal as is reloading the ammunition. Reloads are dependent on accompanying resupply vehicles.
The launcher is fitted over the rear of the KN-09 series military truck which is driven by a diesel-fueled engine unit powering the three-axled, six-wheeled arrangement. The forward cab is completely enclosed to protect the operators. The launcher component is trainable to allow the weapon to engage at various angles without having to turn the entire vehicle to face the direction of fire.
Power & Performance Those special qualities that separate one land system design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the KN-09 MRLS 6x6 Wheeled Multiple Launch Rocket System.
1 x V-12 diesel-fueled engine developing 500 horsepower (estimated). Installed Power
37 mph 60 kph Road Speed
528 miles 850 km Range
Structure The physical qualities of the KN-09 MRLS 6x6 Wheeled Multiple Launch Rocket System.
4 (MANNED) Crew
39.4 ft 12 meters O/A Length
9.8 ft 3 meters O/A Width
9.8 ft 3 meters O/A Height
87,083 lb 39,500 kg | 43.5 tons Weight
Armament & Ammunition Available supported armament, ammunition, and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the KN-09 MLRS 6x6 Wheeled Multiple Launch Rocket System.
8 x 300mm surface-to-surface battlefield rockets (two pods of four rockets each).
AMMUNITION: 8 x 300mm rockets; reloads dependent upon accompanying resupply vehicle.
Variants Notable series variants as part of the KN-09 MLRS family line.
KN-09 - Base Series Designation.
Operators Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the KN-09 MLRS. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national land systems listing.
Total Production: 500 Units Contractor(s): State Factories - North Korea
[ North Korea ]
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Going Further... The KN-09 MLRS 6x6 Wheeled Multiple Launch Rocket System appears in the following collections:
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