ROK Army to test operate Hanwha's infantry fighting vehicle
Redback infantry fighting vehicle / Courtesy of Hanwha Defense
By Jung Da-min
The Korean Army has set up an action plan to test operate an infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) known as the Redback, which was developed by local firm Hanwha Defense.
Under the scheme, the ROK Army will test operate the Redback IFV in an armored cavalry unit for two months from April to May, to review its mobility, operability and maintainability.
According to Hanwha Defense, the Redback is set to go through the Army's mobility tests as well as operability trials.
For mobility tests, the vehicle is set to be assessed on paved and unpaved roads with various driving skills being applied, including pivoting, obstacle clearance and night maneuvering with situational awareness equipment.
Operability trials will 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.
Redback infantry fighting vehicle / Courtesy of Hanwha Defense
The Redback is also scheduled to demonstrate its Health and Usage Management System (HUMS) offboard system, which enables monitoring and diagnosis of component faults in their early stages from outside the vehicle.
Last year ― from February to October ― the futuristic IFV successfully completed tests and evaluations by the Australian Defense Force as one of the two final candidates for its introduction of a next-generation armored vehicle for the Australian Army.