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K-136 Kooryong 130mm Multiple Rocket Launch System

Very little is known regarding the development of the Kooryong. The first Korean developed 130mm 36-round Multiple Rocket Launch System was developed and deployed in the 1980s. The development started in 1979, with the first production examples delivered in 1986. The first "improved" rockets were delivered in 1989. The production of the Kooryong system for the Republic of Korea was completed in 2000; no additional domestic orders are forecast. The 158 systems have now been complemented by the new and much more sophisticated multinational M270 system, which is now in South Korean service.

Kooryong was selected as a Korean Army Standard weapon system and is now fully deployed. The Kooryong weapon system has been designed, proved and manufactured in Korea for Corps and Divisional level field artillery units. The Kooryong tactical mission is general support to Corps or Division with rapid and massive firepower as well as reinforcing other cannon artillery units.

Kooryong is an indirect fire area-saturation weapon system for the neutralization of enemy's critical time-sensitive targets with rapid and massive firepower within a few seconds. In a few seconds, a battery of "Kooryong" Multiple Rocket Launchers (MRLs) is capable of covering a target area of several hundred thousand square meters located beyond the range of the current artillery weapon systems. .

Although this system is fitted on the rear of the 5 ton (6x6) truck chassis, it can be fitted to any wheeled or tracked vehicle 5 ton class load capacity. The Rocket Launcher can be operated by a small crew with virtually no special training. It's easy to reload and requires very little maintenance.

The launcher uses a hydraulic motor to drive the azimuth, elevation and stabilizing jack systems but can be operated manually as well. Another 5 ton(6x6) truck is used to carry 72 reload rounds and as the loading platform.

There are two kinds of rocket, the basic and the improved model. The basic round is 2.4m long, weighs 54kg and the improved is 2.54m long, 64kg in weight. There are also two kinds of warhead of 21kg, the conventional H.E. type and the prefragmented H.E. type which contains 16,000 small steel balls. The maximum ranges are 22km for the basic rocket and more than 30km for the improved one. As of 2000, the improved Kooryong program was in the final test phase with emphasis on range extension to more than 30 km and improving warhead capability, but utilizing the same Rocket Launcher.

Single-round, partial or full ripple salvo firings can be undertaken using the fire control box either at the driver's seat or off the vehicle and the ripple firing time interval is a half second. The firing table or fire direction calculator is used to provide the ballistic data. To enhance delivery accuracy, surface wind is measured at a 10.25m high mast mounted on the 1.25 ton (4x4) truck and the average/instant wind data is provided for the ballistic calculation.

Laying for azimuth and elevation is achieved through mechanical connection operating mannually. For further performance hydraulically driven (manual back up) controls are provided by customer's requirement. The launcher is aligned for the preset coordinates by using the panoramic telescope located in the hinge of upper mount.





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