"Introduced in 2017, the KW1 Scorpion Armored Personnel Carrier from ROTEM is being used to bolster South Korean Army mechanized strength."
Power & Performance Those special qualities that separate one land system design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the ROTEM KW1 Scorpion Armored Personnel Carrier (APC).
1 x Hyundai Motor Company liquid-cooled, diesel-fueled engine developing 420 horsepower. Installed Power
62 mph 100 kph Road Speed
466 miles 750 km Range
Structure The physical qualities of the ROTEM KW1 Scorpion Armored Personnel Carrier (APC).
2 (MANNED) Crew
21.7 ft 6.6 meters O/A Length
8.9 ft 2.7 meters O/A Width
6.9 ft 2.1 meters O/A Height
35,274 lb 16,000 kg | 17.6 tons Weight
Armament & Ammunition Available supported armament, ammunition, and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the ROTEM KW1 Scorpion Armored Personnel Carrier (APC).
1 x 40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher (AGL)
1 x 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG)
Smoke Grenade Dischargers
Also any personal weapons carried by the crew.
AMMUNITION: Not Available.
Variants Notable series variants as part of the ROTEM KW1 Scorpion family line.
KW1 "Scorpion" - Base Series Designation
K806 - South Korean Army designation for 6x6 wheeled form.
K808 - South Korean Army designation for 8x8 wheeled form.
KW1 MEV - MEDEVAC vehicle / battlefield ambulance; 6x6 arrangement.
KW1 ACV - Armored Combat Vehicle; 6x6 wheeled arrangement.
KW1 MGS - Mobile Gun System fitted with 90mm main gun; 6x6 wheeled arrangement.
KW2 APC - Armored Personnel Carrier; 6x6 wheeled arrangement.
KW2 FSV - Fire Support Vehicle mounting 120mm main gun; 8x8 wheeled arrangement.
KW2 AAA - Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun system; 8x8 wheeled arrangement.
KW2 MORT - 120mm infantry mortar carrier; 8x8 wheeled arrangement.
KW2 CP - Command Post Vehicle; 8x8 wheeled arrangement.
Following the world shift to wheeled Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs), the Republic of Korean Army (South Korea) in 2017 moved to adopt a new line of such types through the indigenously-designed, developed and produced ROTEM KW1 "Scorpion" product. The KW1 is classified as an Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) and is capable of carrying up to ten combat-equipped troops, along with its two crewmembers, at speed and under some protection. Design work spanned from 2012 to 2016 (by Hyundai Rotem) and the concern has also led its manufacturing capabilities to the line. The vehicle exists in to major forms, a 6x6 and 8x8 wheeled arrangement. The South Korean Army is set to take both types into service through a contract covering several hundred units.
In South Korean Army service, the 6x6 wheeled model is formally designated "K806" and the 8x8 model is the "K808".
Drive power is from an indigenous Hyundai Motor Company diesel-fueled engine outputting 420 horsepower (mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission system). The chassis makes use of an independent HSU suspension system offering excellent cross-country mobility. Road speeds can reach over 60 miles-per-hour and operational ranges are out to 500 miles. This gives the KW1 the ability to keep up with the main fighting force. An amphibious quality is built into the Scorpion that allows it to traverse water sources at just over 6 miles-per-hour (a pair of waterjets are fitted at the lower rear hull corners for this). Armor protection is up to 7.62mm caliber (small arms fire) and artillery spray - so the KW1 is not necessarily a direct-contact design (unlike an Infantry Fighting Vehicle). Construction involves all-welded armor facings and armor sheets can be fitted to provide additional protection. The crew exits/enters the vehicle by way of a door at the rear of the hull. Roof hatches are also provided for both crew and occupants.
Overall weight is in the 16 ton range. Dimensions include a length of 22 feet, a width of 8.9 feet and a height of 6.9 feet.
The KW1 carries a 40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher (AGL) as its primary armament and this is augmented by a single 7.62mm machine gun. These are installed in a Remote Weapon Station (RWS) over the hull roof. Additionally any personal weapons carried by the crew can be brought into play. Smoke grenade dischargers allow for a self-screening capability. A full NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) suite is provided. Run-flat tires are standard. Other armament options include a 30mm autocannon and 12.7mm heavy machine gun. A manned turret is also available in place of the RWS.
Like other multi-wheeled designs, the KW1 showcases its versatility in design by being able to fulfill a variety of battlefield roles including that of fire support, air denial, command post, Anti-Tank Guided-Missile (ATGM) carrier and MEDEVAC platform.
Operators Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the ROTEM KW1 Scorpion. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national land systems listing.
Total Production: 600 Units Contractor(s): Hyundai ROTEM - South Korea
[ South Korea ]
Going Further... The ROTEM KW1 Scorpion Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) appears in the following collections:
The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.
