The CN08 (Cannon 08) is a 120 mm 55-caliber smoothbore tank gun produced by Hyundai WIA. It is incorrectly known as the licensed production of the Rheinmetall Rh-120 L/55, but it was indigenously developed by the Agency for Defense Development and WIA (now Hyundai WIA) from 2003 to 2008 for the XK2 development project started in 1995. The development was completed after the field test ended in September 2008.[6][7]

CN08 120 mm L/55
Gun barrel of the CN08
TypeSmoothbore tank gun
Place of originSouth Korea
Service history
In service2014–present
Used bySee Operators
Production history
DesignerAgency for Defense Development
WIA
Designed2003–2008
ManufacturerHyundai WIA
Produced2008–present
VariantsMKE 120 mm gun
Specifications
MassGun barrel: 1,324 kilograms (2,919 lb)
Gun mount: 3,100 kilograms (6,800 lb)
LengthGun barrel: 6.600 meters (21.65 ft)
Gun mount: 7.118 meters (23.35 ft)

Caliber120×570mm NATO
ActionAutomatic opening and closing mechanism
BreechVertically sliding
RecoilEccentric hydro-pneumatic
Rate of fire10 rds/min
Muzzle velocity1,640 to 1,760 m/s (5,400 to 5,800 ft/s) with K279 APFSDS-T[1]
1,678 to 1,800 m/s (5,510 to 5,910 ft/s) with K279 Improved APFSDS-T[2]
Effective firing rangeAPFSDS: 3,000 meters (3,300 yd)[3]
KSTAM-I: 5,000 meters (5,500 yd)[4]
KSTAM-II: 8,000 meters (8,700 yd)[4]
Maximum firing rangeAPFSDS: 4,000 meters (4,400 yd)[5]
Feed systemAutomatic feeding endless belt magazine

Design

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A gun mount of CN08
 
Laser reflector of dynamic muzzle reference system

The CN08 is the main armament of the K2 Black Panther, and the gun barrel is applied with internal chrome plating technology for the large-caliber gun. The gun barrel can endure a high explosive force as a result of the increased stiffness and wear resistance provided by this internal chromium surface.[8][9][10] The main components, including the breech ring, breech block and thermal sleeve, are simplified and designed lightly, the gun barrel weighs 1,324 kilograms (2,919 lb) and the gun mount weighs 3,100 kilograms (6,800 lb).[6]

The gun mount is composed of an eccentric hydro-pneumatic recoil system with oil reservoir for the gun barrel and is complemented by a bustle-type autoloader powered by a switched reluctance motor (SRM) combined with a breech controller that automatically opens and closes the gun tube,[3][6] and it can fire up to 10 rounds a minute.

The maximum permissible pressure of the gun barrel is 744 MPa (108,000 psi),[6] and when the tank gun fires an improved K279 APFSDS, the maximum proof pressure is 690 MPa (100,076 psi), and the muzzle velocity is 1,800 m/s (5,900 ft/s).[2] It depends on the type of ammunition, but the effective firing range of the tank gun is 8,000 meters (8,700 yd).[4][11]

Dynamic muzzle reference system

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The main armament has a dynamic muzzle reference system (DMRS) consisting of a laser reflector, a laser emitter and a vertical sensor unit (VSU). A laser reflector assembly attached to the top of the thermal sleeve is provided to be adapted to a dynamic muzzle reference system to electro-optically measure the accurate position of the muzzle. The mechanical gyroscope type vertical sensor unit, which calculates the lead angle and superelevation in real time to correct the misalignment of the aim, allows the tank to more accurately hit its intended target even when it is maneuvering on irregular terrain.[12]

Ammunition

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Inside the cartridge of the XK279 APFSDS-T produced by a sequential propellant filling process.

CN08's 120 mm round is produced in Poongsan Corporation, a South Korean ammunition manufacturer, and can fire 120×570 mm NATO tank ammunition.

APFSDS Rounds[1][2][8][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]
Ammunition Compatible tank gun Type Penetrator Chamber pressure Muzzle velocity Ammunition weight Ammunition length Sub-projectile weight Sub-projectile length Penetrator weight with fin Penetrator length with fin Propellant type & weight RHA penetration Notes
K276 CN03, CN08, M256 APFSDS-T Tungsten composite 586 MPa 1700 m/s (L/44) 19.7 kg 973 mm 7.35 kg 703.6 mm 600 mm K683 (Triple-base) >600 mm (LoS at 60° obliquity) at 2000 m Penetrators are manufactured by Cyclic Heat-Treatment and a Double-Cycle Sintering process.
K279 (XK279) CN08[note 1] APFSDS-T Tungsten composite 1760 m/s (L/55) 21.3 kg 998 mm 8.27 kg 761.6 mm 5 kg 8.6 kg of L15190 (SCDB) >700 mm (LoS at 60° obliquity) at 2000 m The penetrator is made of W-Ni-Fe-Mo Alloy.
K279 Improved CN08 APFSDS-T Tungsten composite 690 MPa 1800 m/s[i] (L/55) 21.3 kg 998 mm 8.27 kg 761.6 mm 5 kg 8.6 kg of 19-hole cylinder-type (SCDB) New DNDA-57 energetic plasticizer for stronger SCDB propellant.
HEAT Rounds[1][13][14]
Ammunition Compatible tank gun Type Filler Chamber pressure Muzzle velocity Ammunition weight Ammunition length Sub-projectile weight Sub-projectile length Filler weight Propellant type & weight RHA penetration Notes
K277 CN03, CN08, M256 HEAT-MP-T Comp-B 448 MPa 1130 m/s (L/44) 24.5 kg 989 mm 14.31 kg 713.32 mm K682 (Triple-base) 600 mm
K280 (XK280) CN03, CN08, M256 HEAT-MP-T Comp-B 1400 m/s (L/55) 23 kg 998 mm 11.38 kg 792.75 mm 2.1 kg K684 (Double-base)
Guided munition[4][20]
Ammunition Compatible tank gun Type Filler Chamber pressure Muzzle velocity Ammunition weight Ammunition length Sub-projectile weight Sub-projectile length Minimum range Maximum range RHA penetration Notes
KSTAM-I CN08 Terminal guidance TSCW 750 m/s 2500 m 5000 m
KSTAM-II CN08 Fire-and-forget EFP 21.5 kg 985 mm 9.03 kg 2000 m 8000 m

Export

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Turkey

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On July 29 2008, Hyundai Rotem and Otokar signed a contract for technology transfer and design assistance for the Altay Tank Development Project. This contract includes technology transfer and design assistance for systems, armor package, and 120 mm guns required for Altay tank development.[21][22][23][24]

Poland

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On July 27, 2022, Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) and Hyundai Rotem signed a framework agreement to supply 180 K2s and 820 K2PLs. The agreement will include rapid arms supply and extensive technology transfer from South Korea, and 180 K2s will be produced in South Korea and delivered to Poland from 2022, and 820 K2PLs will be produced in Poland under license from 2026.[25][26][27][28][29][30]

Variants

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  • MKE 120 mm gun: Turkish 120 mm 55 caliber smoothbore gun modified based on CN08 for the Altay tank. The design of the tank gun is the same as CN08, but there are two differences: unlike CN08, thermal sleeve is equipped with Static Muzzle Reference System (SMRS), and Altay's turret does not have breech opening motor and automatic feeding magazine system for autoloader mechanism, so ammunition can only be loaded manually by tank crew and can fire up to 6 rounds a minute.

Operators

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A map of operators of the CN08 or its variants

Current operators

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See also

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  • MKE 120 mm gun: Turkish 120 mm 55-caliber smoothbore gun developed for the Altay MBT.

Weapons of comparable role, performance and era

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Notes

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  1. ^ K279 is a round compatible with CN03 and M256 as well as CN08, but the high chamber pressure of K279 quickly reduces the life of the barrel, so the manufacturer Poongsan does not recommend using it for CN03 and M256 barrels.
  1. ^ When the round reaches the tip of the barrel, the muzzle velocity is 1,794.7 m/s.

References

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  1. ^ a b c Security Management Institute (25 May 2018). "화기별·탄종별 사격장 안전기준 정립 연구". Republic of Korea Army Headquarters. Archived from the original on 14 October 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2021. p. 118
  2. ^ a b c Agency for Defense Development (9 December 2016). "Pressure Analysis and Conceptual Design for Indoor Ballistic Test Range by Numerical Methods" (PDF). Korea Science. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 October 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2021. p. 2
  3. ^ a b "Gun & Artillery System" (PDF). Hyundai WIA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 October 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2021. p. 3
  4. ^ a b c d Agency for Defense Development (31 January 2006). "A Trade Study of the Top Attack Smart Tank Ammunition" (PDF). Journal of the Korea Society of Systems Engineering. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 October 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  5. ^ "[K-weapon source] K-2 Black Panther #1 - Republic of Korea MND". Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea. 25 December 2019. Archived from the original on 11 April 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d "K2 Main Gun Assembly" (PDF). Hyundai WIA. October 2023. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 October 2024. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  7. ^ Lee Ji-hoon (5 January 2016). "방위산업, 저성장 시대의 대안" (PDF). SK Securities. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 October 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2021. p. 14
  8. ^ a b Agency for Defense Development (30 December 2005). "Effect of CCC Composition on Burning Characteristic for 120mm Kinetic Energy Ammunition" (PDF). Korea Science. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  9. ^ Cotec (1 July 2008). "시뮬레이션 기법을 이용한 장축 실린더 내경도금의 전류분포 기술지원" (PDF). Ministry of Knowledge Economy. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 October 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  10. ^ Defense Agency for Technology and Quality (7 October 2015). "Study On Effect of Fe Density on Electrolyte Exfoliation of Chromium Plating Layer" (PDF). Korea Science. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 October 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  11. ^ Poongsan Technology Institute (June 2009). "Systems Analysis on Smart Ammunition for 120mm Tank Gun" (PDF). Korea Association of Defense Industry Studies. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 March 2022. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  12. ^ Hyundai Rotem (5 April 2016). "A Study on Measurement of Gun's Attitude of K2 MBT Using Inertial Navigation System and Its Effects on the Hit Probability" (PDF). Korea Science. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 July 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  13. ^ a b Poongsan Corporation. "Ammunition and Explosives" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 October 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  14. ^ a b Poongsan Corporation (2020). "풍산탄약". MADEX. Archived from the original on 14 October 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  15. ^ Defense Agency for Technology and Quality (29 February 2020). "Study on the Improving Penetration Performance of Tungsten Heavy Alloy Penetrator by Heat Treatment" (PDF). Korea Science. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 October 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  16. ^ Agency for Defense Development (1 October 2004). "Manufacturing of Tungsten Heavy Alloy Composites for Kinetic Energy Penetrator" (PDF). Korea Science. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 October 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  17. ^ Sun-Kil Kwon (17 May 2012). "Study on the Temperature Independent Property of the Surface Coated Double Base Propellant" (PDF). The Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 October 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  18. ^ Tae Soo Kwon (December 2014). "Study on the Temperature Independent Property of the Surface Coated Propellant for 105mm Armor Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot I". The Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers. Archived from the original on 29 March 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  19. ^ Tae Soo Kwon (May 2015). "Study on the Temperature Independent Property of the Surface Coated Propellant for 105mm Armor Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot II". The Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers. Archived from the original on 29 March 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  20. ^ Kim, Hyeong Gyu (June 2009). "Systems Analysis on Smart Ammunition for 120mm Tank Gun" (PDF). Korea Association of Defense Industry Studies. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 March 2022. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  21. ^ Hyundai Rotem (31 July 2008). "터키 전차개발 기술협력 계약 체결". Hyundai Rotem. Archived from the original on 10 October 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  22. ^ Kim Gwigeun (11 October 2009). "'흑표' 기술수출료 2014년까지 사용유예". Yonhap News. Archived from the original on 10 October 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  23. ^ Choi Seunguk (20 October 2014). "[방산업계 울리는 ADD] 터키 수출 K-2전차 기술료 다 챙겨...'700억 돈잔치' 벌이겠다는 ADD". Korea Economic Daily. Archived from the original on 10 October 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  24. ^ Army Recognition (1 October 2021). "Altay MBT Main Battle Tank". Army Recognition. Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  25. ^ Tomasz Dmitruk (24 July 2022). "Koreańskie zamówienia – Agencja Uzbrojenia ujawnia szczegóły". Dziennik Zbrojny. Archived from the original on 31 July 2022. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  26. ^ Ministerstwo Obrony Narodowej (27 July 2022). "Czołgi K2". Polish Ministry of Defence official Twitter. Archived from the original on 29 July 2022. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  27. ^ Kim Yeonsuk (27 July 2022). "폴란드 "한국에 K2 1천대·FA-50 3개편대·K-9 600문 주문"(종합2보)". Yonhap News Agency. Archived from the original on 29 July 2022. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  28. ^ Maciej Szopa (28 July 2022). "Poland Procures Korean MBTs, Aircraft, and Howitzers" (PDF). Defence24. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 July 2022. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  29. ^ a b "Pierwsze czołgi K2 przekazane żołnierzom Wojska Polskiego". Wojsko Polskie. 9 December 2022. Archived from the original on 10 December 2022. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  30. ^ a b Bartłomiej Kucharski (9 December 2022). "Pierwsze czołgi K2 przekazane polskim żołnierzom". zbiam. Archived from the original on 10 December 2022. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
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