AT-1K Raybolt
{{Short description|South Korean anti-tank guided missile}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name = AT-1K Raybolt
| image = AT-1K Raybolt.png
| image_size = 300
| caption = AT-1K Raybolt launcher mounted on K153C1 light tactical vehicle
| origin = South Korea
| type = Anti-tank guided missile
| is_ranged = yes
| is_explosive = yes
| is_missile = yes
| service =
| used_by = See Operators
| wars = Yemeni Civil War{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702164821/https://www.janes.com/article/81348/south-korean-raybolt-spotted-in-yemen|archivedate=2018-07-02|url=https://www.janes.com/article/81348/south-korean-raybolt-spotted-in-yemen|title=South Korean Raybolt spotted in Yemen|publisher=Janes Information Services|date=26 June 2018|author=Jeremy Binnie}}
Second Nagorno-Karabakh War{{cite web|url=https://jamestown.org/program/armenia-in-dire-straits-as-karabakh-conflict-reignites/|title=Armenia in Dire Straits as Karabakh Conflict Reignites|publisher=Jamestown Foundation|date=1 October 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616063339/https://jamestown.org/program/armenia-in-dire-straits-as-karabakh-conflict-reignites/|archivedate=16 June 2023|accessdate=16 June 2023|author=Pavel Felgenhauer}}
| designer = Agency for Defense Development
Hanwha Defense (launcher)
LIG Nex1 (missile)
| design_date = 2007–2015{{cite web|url=https://www.add.re.kr/resources/images/fifty/sub/sub0403_imgs/32.jpg|script-title=ko:현궁|publisher=Agency for Defense Development|date=|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705234134/https://www.add.re.kr/resources/images/fifty/sub/sub0403_imgs/32.jpg|archivedate=5 July 2022|accessdate=5 July 2022|author=|url-status=dead}}
| manufacturer = Hanwha Vision (launcher)
LIG Nex1 (missile)
| production_date = 2017–present
| number =
| variants =
| spec_label =
| weight = Include launcher: {{convert|20|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
Missile: {{convert|13|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
| length =
| part_length =
| width =
| height =
| diameter =
| crew = {{ubl|2 (on foot)|1 (vehicle-mounted)}}
| caliber=
| action =
| rate =
| velocity =
| range =
| max_range = {{convert|2500|m|mi|abbr=on}} – {{convert|3000|m|mi|abbr=on}} (observed)
| sights = Thermal weapon sight
| filling = HEAT
| filling_weight =
| detonation = Contact fuze
| yield = {{convert|900|mm|in|abbr=on}} RHA behind ERA
| guidance = fire-and-forget-aided Infrared guidance
| wingspan =
| propellant =
| speed = {{convert|1.7|Mach|m/s km/h|abbr=on}}{{cite web|url=https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?ncd=3491252|script-title=ko:휴대용 대전차 미사일 '현궁' 사격 시험 성공|publisher=KBS|date=1 June 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430162537/https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?ncd=3491252|archivedate=30 April 2023|accessdate=30 April 2023|author=Park Won-ki}}
| ceiling =
| altitude =
| boost =
| depth =
| accuracy =
| launch_platform = Man-portable launcher
| transport = {{ubl|4×4 K153C1 ATGM Carrier|Rotem KW2 Scorpion Anti-Tank Vehicle}}
}}
The AT-1K Raybolt ({{langx|ko|현궁}} "Hyeon-gung",{{Cite web | url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rok/raybolt.htm | title=Raybolt / Hyeongung ATGM }} Hanja: 晛弓) is a South Korean man-portable third-generation anti-tank guided missile built by LIG Nex1. It has fire-and-forget capability using an infrared imaging seeker and has a tandem-warhead to defeat explosive reactive armor. The Raybolt has a top attack and direct attack modes.{{cite web|url=https://www.lignex1.com/web/eng/product/product.do?category=01&part=01&model=07|title=Mid-Range Infantry Missile (Raybolt)|publisher=LIG Nex1|date=|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220150940/https://www.lignex1.com/web/eng/product/product.do?category=01&part=01&model=07#categoryMenu|archivedate=20 February 2024|accessdate=20 February 2024|author=}}{{cite web|url=https://www.lignex1.com/data/investmentdata/RAYBOLT.pdf|title=RAYBOLT|publisher=LIG Nex1|date=2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220135308/https://www.lignex1.com/data/investmentdata/RAYBOLT.pdf|archivedate=20 February 2024|accessdate=20 February 2024|author=}} It is the first ATGM to be built by South Korea and entered mass production in June 2017.
The Raybolt is positioned by its manufacturer as a competitor and peer with the American FGM-148 Javelin and Israeli Spike-MR ATGMs.{{cite web|url=http://www.defenseworld.net/news/19459/S_Korea_s_Raybolt_ATGM_Set_To_Compete_Against_Israeli_Spike__US_Javelin|title=S Korea's Raybolt ATGM Set To Compete Against Israeli Spike, US Javelin|website=www.defenseworld.net|date=2 June 2017}}
The Raybolt was first shown publicly at the Indodefence 2014 exhibition.{{Cite web|url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/indodefence_2014_official_show_daily_news_coverage/lig_nex_1_showcases_chiron_portable_sam_and_raybolt_3rd_anti-tank_guided_missile.html|title=LIG Nex 1 showcases Chiron portable SAM and Raybolt 3rd anti-tank guided missile | IndoDefence 2014 Official Show Daily News Coverage | Defence and security military army exhibition 2014|date=6 November 2014 }}
Development
File:A defense quality certification testing of AT-1K Raybolt on May 2017.webm
Development began in 2007 and began in earnest in 2010, as South Korea's existing anti-tank guided missiles were reaching the end of their 25-year service life.{{cite web|url=http://kookbang.dema.mil.kr/kookbangWeb/view.do?ntt_writ_date=20141023&parent_no=1&bbs_id=BBSMSTR_000000001060|script-title=ko:빛과 같은 화살로 날아가 '꽝'대전차 임무 지형도가 바뀐다|website=kookbang.dema.mil.kr|date=22 October 2014|author=Lee Seok-jong|publisher=|language=Korean|access-date=9 August 2018|archive-date=9 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809121813/http://kookbang.dema.mil.kr/kookbangWeb/view.do?ntt_writ_date=20141023&parent_no=1&bbs_id=BBSMSTR_000000001060|url-status=dead}} LIG Nex1's priorities during development were world-class performance, weight, export competitiveness through localization of core components, cost-efficiency, and reliability. The development was not completely smooth, and for the first five years there were several failures with "Captive Flight Tests". In a retrospective on the development of the Raybolt, one engineer assessed the greatest challenge as quality assurance.{{cite web|url=https://www.lignex1.com/%24%7Blang%7D/downloadSeq.do?type=prData&bbsSeq=291&seq=453|title=LIG Nex1 MAGAZINE VOL.60 - MEDIUM RANGE INFANTRY MISSILE RAYBOLT|publisher=LIG Nex1|date=January 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220154437/https://www.lignex1.com/$%7Blang%7D/downloadSeq.do?type=prData&bbsSeq=291&seq=453|archivedate=20 February 2024|accessdate=20 February 2024|author=}} On May 30, 2017, it successfully completed the quality certification test of Raybolt organized by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).{{cite web|url=https://www.korea.kr/docViewer/skin/doc.html?fn=539d8f77e4336d9dec475bf47c088174&rs=/docViewer/result/2017.06/01/539d8f77e4336d9dec475bf47c088174|script-title=ko:적 최신 전차 잡는 '현궁' 품질인증 사격 시험 성공! 올해부터 본격 양산 돌입!|publisher=Defense Acquisition Program Administration|date=1 June 2017|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20220812051446/https://www.korea.kr/docViewer/skin/doc.html?fn=539d8f77e4336d9dec475bf47c088174&rs=/docViewer/result/2017.06/01/539d8f77e4336d9dec475bf47c088174|archivedate=12 August 2022|accessdate=12 August 2022|author=}}
The Raybolt was developed to replace obsolete anti-tank weapons, such as recoilless rifles and TOW missiles.{{cite web|url=https://www.nknews.org/2017/06/seoul-to-mass-produce-indigenous-anti-tank-guided-missile-dapa/|title=Seoul to mass-produce indigenous anti-tank guided missile: DAPA|date=1 June 2017|publisher=NK News|author=Dagyum Ji}} South Korea's 1970s-vintage TOW missiles lacked tandem-warheads and would not be able to destroy modern North Korean tanks equipped with explosive reactive armor (ERA).
The Raybolt is produced by LIG Nex1 in cooperation with South Korea's Agency for Defense Development (ADD), under the auspices of the DAPA. About 95% of the Raybolt is made in South Korea.{{cite web|url=https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/korea-ignites-raybolt-missile-production/|title=Korea ignites Raybolt missile|publisher=Shephard|date=7 December 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230505081350/https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/korea-ignites-raybolt-missile-production/|archivedate=5 May 2023|accessdate=5 May 2023|author=Gordon Arthur}}
The Raybolt underwent successful test evaluations in Saudi Arabia in December 2013 and January 2014. The Raybolt contract is expected to be worth 1 trillion won through till 2023.
Components
File:A firing demonstration of the AT-1K Raybolt anti-tank guided missile.webm demonstration of the AT-1K Raybolt]]
The Raybolt's most notable feature is an imaging infrared seeker providing fire-and-forget capability. It also has a tandem-warhead and both direct attack and top attack modes. The Raybolt uses a smokeless propellant and can be fired from within a building. The Raybolt missile and Observation and Launch Unit (OLU) can either be vehicle-mounted or carried as a manpack by two men. There are also discussions to mount the Raybolt on helicopters. The OLU has day/night capability via a thermal sight. The missile uses a soft launch to escape the barrel before activating the main flight motor. It is scheduled to be acquired over the 2018–2022 timeframe.
The Raybolt system weight about {{cvt|20|kg}}, which its manufacturer describes as lighter than peers. The Raybolt's range is 2.5[https://www.armyrecognition.com/october_2018_global_defense_security_army_news_industry/south_korean_raybolt_atgm_missile_in_service_with_saudi_arabia_army.html South Korean Raybolt ATGM missile in service with Saudi Arabia army]. Army Recognition. 1 October 2018. or 3 km. The Raybolt's HEAT tandem warhead can penetrate 900 mm of RHA beyond defeating ERA,{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912192206/https://www.janes.com/article/82936/dx-korea-2018-roka-unveils-4-4-k-153c-atgm-carrier|archivedate=2018-09-12|url=https://www.janes.com/article/82936/dx-korea-2018-roka-unveils-4-4-k-153c-atgm-carrier|title=DX Korea 2018: RoKA unveils 4×4 K-153C ATGM carrier - Jane's 360|publisher=Jane's International Defence Review|author=Kelvin Wong|date=12 September 2018}} which is described as "excellent performance" by DAPA.
File:AT-1K Raybolt at IDEX 2023.jpg
The Raybolt has been marketed to India.{{cite web|url=https://www.lignex1.com/eng/common/bPrint.jsp?seq=1100|title=DEFEXPO INDIA 2016|publisher=LIG Nex1|date=28 March 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809153955/https://www.lignex1.com/eng/common/bPrint.jsp?seq=1100|archivedate=9 August 2018|accessdate=15 June 2023|author=}} Park Tae-sik, senior manager at LIG Nex1, also reports interest from South America.
The missile can be carried by a two-man crew or fitted to fire from vehicles. The South Korean Army uses an anti-tank version of the Kia Motors 4×4 Light Tactical Vehicle (LTV) called the K-153C; the roof is equipped with a launcher turret with two missiles ready to fire and four additional missiles carried inside the vehicle.
=Launch platforms=
- Man-portable launcher
- 4×4 K153C1 ATGM Carrier
- Rotem KW2 Scorpion Anti-Tank Vehicle
Combat history
The Raybolt was delivered to the Republic of Korea Armed Forces in 2017. It will be used by the Korean Army and the ROK Marine Corps.
In 2018, the Raybolt was used in the Yemeni Civil War by Saudi-backed forces against the Houthis.{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/20/south-korea-3|title=South Korea muscles in on global arms trade|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=20 April 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420233940/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/20/south-korea-3|archivedate=20 April 2021|accessdate=7 September 2023|author=Frank Smith}}
Operators
File:AT-1K Raybolt operators.svg
- {{flag|Azerbaijan}}
- {{flag|Saudi Arabia}}
- {{flag|South Korea}}{{cite web | url=https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/node/29870 | title=South Korea to Start Mass Producing Raybolt Missile System | Israel Defense | date=6 May 2017 }}
- {{flag|United Arab Emirates}}{{cite web|url=https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/defence-notes/opinion-south-korea-next-big-defence-exporter/|title=Opinion: South Korea – the next big defence exporter?|website=www.shephardmedia.com|date=19 September 2018}}
=Future=
- {{flag|Indonesia}}{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Hyo-jin |date=2023-10-17 |title=LIG Nex1 signs partnership agreement with Indonesia's Republikorp |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2023/10/205_361325.html |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=The Korea Times |language=en}}
- {{flag|Philippines}}{{Cite web |last=Maxdefense Philippines |first=Maxdefense |date=2024-11-11 |title=Notice of Award for the ORD-PABAC2-025-24 Medium Multi-Purpose Assault Weapon (MMAW) with Precision Guided Munition (PGM) Acquisition Project for 2024 last October 2024, in favour of South Korea's LIG Nex1. |url=https://www.phdefresource.com/2024/11/ord-pabac-025-24-medium-multi-purpose.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2EkKkD2NRYsDaJj-uHWb_BQ2KhJu9lT5f8i7UnI7ZPQhDJ6xJ7sMliNTg_aem_vkO7wenmKwN2pMJG_u3TUQ |language=en}}
See also
- {{lwc|Akeron MP}}
- {{lwc|FGM-148 Javelin}}
- {{lwc|HJ-12}}
- {{lwc|MPATGM}}
- {{lwc|OMTAS}}
- {{lwc|Type 01 LMAT}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
{{Modern South Korean Infantry Weapons}}
Category:Anti-tank guided missiles
Category:Guided missiles of South Korea
Category:Military equipment introduced in the 2010s