Hyundai Rotem announced on Nov. 15 that it has signed a 77.76 billion won (US$68.74 million) contract with South Korea’s Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) to supply wheeled armored vehicles. This project is promoted to introduce and pilot multipurpose unmanned vehicles for the first time in South Korea, and is part of the rapid pilot acquisition project. With this business order, Hyundai Rotem has preoccupied the advantage of targeting various unmanned system projects that are expected to be required in the future. The company plans to develop and target global markets by continuing R&D of unmanned systems including HR-Sherpa, to steadily develop competitiveness in the unmanned system sector.
Developed by the South Korean company Hyundai Rotem, the new unmanned ground vehicles were exhibited on September 28 at the 72nd anniversary of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces Day event held at the Special Forces Command in Icheon city, Gyeonggi province. Hyundai Rotem said on September 28 that two of the HR-Sherpa unmanned ground vehicles led a cortege, including wheeled armored vehicles used by the South Korean army, and were also used to support security. HR-Sherpa’s ability to perform remote and autonomous driving-based security and security missions was demonstrated in November 2019 with the Security and Safety Control Group at the 2019 ASEAN-Korea Special Summit.
The HR-Sherpa is a 6×6 multirole dual-use UGV that is understood to have a weight of 1,800 kg inclusive of a 600 kg payload. The electrically powered is capable of turning on its axis and offers a claimed endurance of 6 hours when cruising at 5 km/h, although it can also attain respective road and cross-country speeds of up to 40 km/h and 10 km/h. Survivability is enhanced with airless tyre technology, which ensures that the UGV remains mobile despite tyre damage. The vehicle has been developed with airless tire technology that allows the unmanned ground vehicle to remain mobile despite tire damage. The vehicle can be equipped with the Hyundai Wia Remote Control Weapon System (RCWS) for reconnaissance missions.
Hyundai Rotem is a South Korean company producing railway vehicles, defense products and facility equipment. It is part of the Hyundai Motor Group.Hyundai Rotem railways division supplies a variety of railway vehicles, including electric trains, high-speed trains, locomotives, coaches and freight wagons, not only domestically but also to 35 countries worldwide. Hyundai Rotem Defense division provides the research and development, design, production and maintenance of various land vehicles and systems needed in line with the needs of the Republic of Korea Army (ROKA). Hyundai Rotem manufactures unmanned ground vehicles such as K1A1 and K2 Black Panther main battle tanks.
