The Daewoo K136 "Kooryyong" / "Gu-ryong" serves the modern Republic of Korea Armed Forces (RoKAF - South Korea) as a dedicated Multiple-Launch Rocket System (MLRS). Such battlefield solutions are utilized to saturate target areas with rocket fire involving various warhead types ranging from conventional to nuclear, chemical, and biological. The K136 is no doubt influenced by the Soviet-Russian BM-21 series and similar "Katyusha" wheeled truck MLRS solutions.
The overall design saw development work under the Agency for Defense Development span from 1973 until 1978 with initial K136 units being introduced in 1981. Hanwha was responsible for the development of the rocket component. The original K136 units have since been superseded by the K136A1 beginning in 1987 with these forms bringing about use of stainless steel launch tubes and a revamped hydraulic system.
The vehicle tips the scales at 16.4 tons and has a running length of 25 feet with a beam reaching 8.2 feet and a height of 9.5 feet. The truck sees a conventional arrangement used with the engine compartment at the bow and the driving cab directly aft. The rear of the truck is of flatbed configuration. A three-axle wheeled configuration allows for limited water fording and cross-country travel. The truck can hit road speeds of up to 50 miles-per-hour.
The launcher is set atop a trainable mounting over the rear of the truck chassis and holds 36 rockets in a nine-across / four-down arrangement. The launch tubes are contained in a hollowed out reinforced structure for ease-of-maintenance and replacement of the entire component. The launcher unit can swivel and elevate along its mounting and therefore fire in any direction regardless of the vehicle's actual facing.
The rockets are 130mm in caliber and can consist of the K30, K33, K37, and K38 marks. Each differs mainly in attack ranges offered, from 23 kilometers in the K30 to 30 kilometers in the K38.
The South Korean Army took on about 150 of the vehicles and the A-models arrived from 1987 until 1991. The Philippine Army has also ordered the type with deliveries expected during 2022-2023.
The South Korean Army has used the more modern K239 "Chunmoo" design to succeed the Cold War-era K136 line. These began operational service in 2015 and are detailed elsewhere on the Military Factory.
Power & Performance Those special qualities that separate one land system design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the DHI K136 6x6 Wheeled Multiple-Launch Rocket System (MLRS).
1 x Diesel-fueled engine driving conventional 6x6 all-wheel arrangement. Installed Power
50 mph 80 kph Road Speed
311 miles 500 km Range
Structure The physical qualities of the DHI K136 6x6 Wheeled Multiple-Launch Rocket System (MLRS).
3 (MANNED) Crew
25.3 ft 7.7 meters O/A Length
8.2 ft 2.5 meters O/A Width
9.5 ft 2.9 meters O/A Height
36,156 lb 16,400 kg | 18.1 tons Weight
Armament & Ammunition Available supported armament, ammunition, and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the DHI K136 (Kooryong) 6x6 Wheeled Multiple-Launch Rocket System (MLRS).
36 x 130mm Rockets.
AMMUNITION: 36 x 130mm Rockets through K30, K33, K37, and K38 variant types. Resupply possible from accompanying resupply vehicle.
Variants Notable series variants as part of the DHI K136 (Kooryong) family line.
K136 (Kooryong) - Base Series Designation.
Operators Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the DHI K136 (Kooryong). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national land systems listing.
Total Production: 150 Units Contractor(s): Daewoo Heavy Industries (DHI) - South Korea
[ Philippines (ordered); South Korea ]
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Image from the Republic of Korea Armed Forces; Public Release.
Going Further... The DHI K136 (Kooryong) 6x6 Wheeled Multiple-Launch Rocket System (MLRS) appears in the following collections:
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