Shown above is the Redback infantry fighting vehicle of Hanwha Defense. South Korea’s Army plans to test the tracked combat vehicle beginning in April. Photo courtesy of Hanwha Defense

Korean Army makes detailed plans to trial Redback

As the Redback infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) returns home from Australia next month, the South Korean Army sets up an action plan to trial the tracked combat vehicle.

The Redback, which was developed by Hanwha Defense, is one of the two final candidates for Australia’s LAND 400 Phase 3 project valued at tens of billions of dollars.

Hanwha Defense built three Redback vehicles to deliver to the Australian Army early last year for the Risk Mitigation Activity (RMA) trials, including driving tests and tactical field training.

One of the three will come back to South Korea. Earlier last July, the country’s military announced its willingness to test the Redback here.

Specifically, a Redback vehicle will be handed over in April to the South Korean Army for two months of trials aimed at reviewing its technologies and operational capabilities.

“The trials will be focused on the Redback’s mobility, operability, and maintainability, as the futuristic tracked IFV has successfully navigated the Risk Mitigation Activity tests and evaluations conducted by the Australian Defense Force from February to October 2021,” a Hanwha official said.

“For mobility tests, the vehicle is set to be assessed on paved and unpaved roads with various driving skills, including pivot, obstacle clearance, and night maneuvering with situational awareness equipment.”

The official added that operability trials would include evaluation of situational awareness cameras, operation during hard braking, load space, and the ergonomics of various seating configurations.

Tactical operations of the auxiliary power unit and turret systems are also to be tested. To review the Redback’s operational sustainability, the Army will also assess the vehicle in various recovery situations.

The Redback features a range of state-of-the-art technologies, including composite rubber tracks and in-arm suspension units. The rubber tracks reduce noise and vibration significantly while offering superior ride quality for its crew and the soldiers it protects. The advanced ISU allows more space for add-on armor to mitigate blast underneath.

The Redback is also equipped with high-tech sensor systems such as Iron Vision, which allows the crew to see through the vehicle’s armor by projecting the image outside the vehicle onto their helmet-mounted displays and the Iron Fist active protection system.
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