The K808 is a new South Korean armored personnel carrier. Previously it was known as the KW2 Scorpion. The Hyundai Rotem company (subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Group) made the KW1 Scorpion in competition with the Doosan Black Fox and Samsung Techwin MPV, and eventually won the competition. On 9 May 2016, the vehicles, renamed the K808 and passed their final qualification tests, allowing for production to begin for deployment the next year; 600 units are to be produced by 2023.
The K808, a 20,000 kg wheeled armoured has been designed to offer a rapid deployment combat vehicle for infantry units able to perform reconnaissance missions in front line areas, including mountainous regions. Despite its bulky appearance the K808 is fully amphibious. On water it is propelled by two waterjets. This armored vehicle can cross rivers and other inland water obstacles. These new wheeled armored vehicles will replace the ageing K200 series of tracked amphibious armored personnel carriers in the South Korean Army.
The K808 accommodates up to 9 fully-equipped dismounts. Troops enter and leave the vehicle via rear power-operated ramp with integral doors. There are roof hatches for firing and emergency exit. The hull of the K808 is made on an all-welded steel armour providing ballistic protection against firing of 12.7mm machine gun. The vehicle can be fitted with addon armour depending of the mission requirements. This armored vehicle has a V-shaped hull for protection against mine blasts.
Initially the K808 armored personnel carrier was fitted with a Hyundai diesel engine developing 380 hp, but later this engine was replaced with another Hyundai engine developing 420 hp with a 7-speed transmission and 2-mode secondary transmission. This engine is used in 8×8 configuration. The vehicle has an automatic drive line management system, central tire inflation system, and run-flat tires. It has a maximum road speed of up to 100 km/h. It is much faster than the previous tracked K200 armored personnel carrier, that is limited to 74 km/h.
The K808 is also available in different variants as Armoured Combat Vehicle (ACV) fitted with a two-man turret with one 30mm cannon as main armament, Anti-Aircraft Gun Vehicle (AAGV) armed with dual gun 30mm caliber, and Mortar Carrier Vehicle (MCV) with 120mm mortar mounted inside at the rear of the hull. Previously Hyundai Rotem demonstrated a number of developments, including a Jupiter 120 mm fire support vehicle, 30 mm anti-aircraft vehicle and 120 mm mortar carrier.
The K808 (KW2 Scorpion 8×8) is fully amphibious, propelled by two water jets, but the K806 (KW1 Scorpion 6×6) is not. On water it is propelled by two waterjets. This armored vehicle can cross rivers and other inland water obstacles. Maximum amphibious speed on water is 8 km/h. On water it is also faster than the previous K200 tracked amphibious armored personnel carriers. Though the smaller 6×6 version is not amphibious, as it is mainly intended to operate with rear echelon troops.
