Korean Amphibious Assault Vehicle Leads the Way in Daring Enemy Shore Landings

A landing operation is an offensive operation that lands on enemy territory from the sea. Airborne operations by aircraft are carried out in parallel with landing operations as part of the landing operation. For a landing operation, extensive information and acquisition of military supplies and weapons systems are necessary, including weather conditions, coastal and port conditions, conditions of landing and dropping areas, and the deployment of enemy troops and firepower. Detailed and extensive preparations, including planning, coordination, and practice with various military units, ships, aircraft, and firepower, are required. Through this, landing operations, which need to secure a bridgehead on the enemy coast at the beginning of the operation, have recently developed into three-dimensional landing operations that take place simultaneously on land, at sea, and in the air. One of the innovative weapon systems that completely overturned the concept of such landing operations is the ‘LVT’ that began to emerge through the Pacific War.

Before the development of the LVT (Landing Vehicle, Tracked), LCVPs (Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel) were predominantly used in amphibious landings. The LCVP, a boxy boat without a cover, with dimensions of 11 meters in length and 3.3 meters in width, originated from the Eureka, a boat designed by Andrew Higgins in 1926 for use in shallow waters or river estuaries.

The LCVP played a crucial role in amphibious landings by transporting troops and equipment from ships to the shore. What drew more attention from the U.S. Marine Corps was the “Alligator,” an amphibian tractor developed by Donald Roebling. This amphibian tractor evolved into the LVT (Landing Vehicle Tracked) and eventually into the current Assault Amphibious Vehicle. The LCVPs in the possession of the ROK Navy were all retired in 2010.

‘LTV1’ Makes Its First Appearance in the Guadalcanal Landing Operation

The Alligator, recognized as the origin of the LVT and AAV, was started by Donaldo Roebling in 1928 to prevent frequent hurricane-related casualties in Florida and to create equipment that could drive on both land and sea, as well as in swamps.

Roebling introduced the first Alligator in 1935, but it wasn’t until it was featured in Life magazine in 1937 that it began to attract significant attention. While the LCVP was useful for transporting troops or equipment to the coast, it showed vulnerability depending on the waves and coastal conditions. The U.S. Marine Corps demanded equipment suitable for landing assaults. As a result, the ‘tracked landing vehicle,’ or LVT1 (LVT Model 1), was introduced by the U.S. Navy. The Marine Corps called it an ‘amphibious tractor.’ It could carry 18 to 20 troops and travel at a speed of 9 mph at sea and 15 mph on land. It first participated in the ‘Guadalcanal Landing Operation’ (1942), the first landing operation of the Pacific War.

LVT1 was initially used to transport supplies from the ship to the coast, but its utility was recognized and it was modified for troop transport and attack through performance improvements. It introduced the ‘LVT1A1’, armed with a 37mm gun from the M3 light tank and capable of traveling at 25 mph on land, followed by the first troop transport ‘LVT2’, which reinforced the suspension and engine, and the army’s ‘LVT2A’.

However, LVT1 and LVT2 did not have a ramp-like door that allowed the troops on board to disembark immediately, so the armed troops had to jump off, which was a disadvantage. They also needed to be faster for ground assault operations after landing. As a result, the LVT3, which appeared in 1943, improved land speed and added a ramp for quick exit.

The improved LVT3C, which appeared in 1949, added a folding armor door on top to protect the landing troops from waves and enemy grenades and was recognized for its usefulness as a ground infantry combat support vehicle.

The term Assault Amphibious Vehicle (AAV) originated from the amphibious armored vehicles used by the U.S. Marine Corps during landing operations. The first AAV, ‘LVTP-7’, was deployed in 1972. Then, in 1984, the U.S. Marine Corps changed the name of the LVTP-7A1 to ‘AAV-7A1’. Therefore, it is called AAV in the U.S. and ‘KAAV’ in Korea, meaning ‘Korean-style AAV’.

The only weapon system owned exclusively by our military is the ‘Korean-style Assault Amphibious Vehicle’ (KAAV·Korea Assault Amphibious Vehicle). The name KAAV is comprehensive, and it is divided into three types when detailed: personnel transport (KAAV-P7A1), command (KAAV-C7A1), and rescue and maintenance (KAAVR-7A1). Among them, the most widely used is the ‘KAAVP7A1’ for personnel transport. This armored vehicle is one of the representative weapon systems of the Marine Corps conducting landing operations and is also called ‘Sangjang’.

The biggest advantage of the Assault Amphibious Vehicle (KAAV) is that it can run without distinguishing between water and land. As a post-war weapon system capable of both land and water operations, it is responsible for safely transporting landing troops from the landing ship to the enemy coast. The reason why the Assault Amphibious Vehicle can freely navigate the water is thanks to the ‘marine propulsion device’ installed on both sides of the rear of the vehicle.

In addition, the four drain pumps installed on the lower plate (bottom plate) can discharge 400 liters of water per minute from inside to outside, making it possible to drive safely in the water. The parts where the inside and outside are in contact are wrapped in rubber packing, so the design prevents water from entering even normally.

In particular, the Assault Amphibious Vehicle is equipped with side-mounted additional armor protection kits EAAK, protecting the crew and landing troops from enemy attacks and having the ability to participate in combat while supporting infantry on land.

Korean Marine Corps, Approximately 28,000 Personnel, 2 Division-Sized Units

The first introduction of the Assault Amphibious Vehicle in Korea began in 1998 when Hanwha Techwin contracted with BAE Systems to produce licenses domestically through technology introduction. Currently, the Marine Corps is operating about 200 units. The Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship, the largest in Asia owned by the Navy, can carry 7 KAAVs. As the production technology and know-how accumulated, Hanwha Techwin achieved the result of being selected as a supplier in the Philippines’ Assault Amphibious Vehicle introduction project worth about $51 million in April 2016, beating BAE Systems, the original manufacturer of KAAV.

In the 2018 Ssangyong Training, the U.S. Marine Corps rode the KAAV of the Korean Marine Corps for the first time and conducted a joint landing operation training in Pohang. At that time, the F-35B stealth vertical takeoff and landing fighter was deployed in the Korea-U.S. joint landing operation for the first time. If a full-scale war breaks out, the 1st Marine Division stationed in Pohang will land in Wonsan with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Force of the U.S. Marine Corps in Okinawa and carry out operations to advance to Pyongyang.

Currently, the South Korean Marine Corps maintains a force of 28,000 personnel organized into two division-sized units, with the operation of 200 KAAV-7 vehicles. In contrast, Japan established its Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade in 2018, consisting of 2,200 personnel and operating 52 AAV-7 vehicles. Despite fewer personnel, Japan’s unit is heavily armed.

The KAAV’s specifications include a crew of three and a carrying capacity of 21 troops. It measures 8.1 meters in length, 3.2 meters in width, and 3.7 meters in height, with a weight of 21 tons. It can reach a maximum speed of 72 km/h on land and 13 km/h in water. The vehicle has a land range of 480 km and can operate in water for up to 7 hours, thanks to its 400-horsepower engine.

The KAAV-7 units are an integral part of the Marine Corps, allowing for effective land combat and mechanized operations in addition to amphibious warfare. The KAAV is exclusively operated by the Marine Corps within the South Korean military.

The KAAV-P7A1, currently in service, is praised for its firepower, advanced protective armor, command and control capabilities, and troop and cargo transport capabilities. It can maneuver in rugged terrains, including difficult beach conditions with high waves and challenging access. Its unique ship-shaped design, powerful water propulsion system, and powertrain significantly enhance its mobility.

Armed with a 12.7mm K6 medium machine gun and a 40mm K4 high-speed grenade machine gun on the turret, the aluminum hull protects against small arms fire and shrapnel, supplemented by the Enhanced Applique Armor Kit (EAAK) to defend against shaped charge penetration. With the added armor, it can withstand threats from a 14.5mm direct-fire weapon and 155mm artillery fragments. Additionally, it features an automatic fire suppression system and NBC (Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical) defense systems for increased survivability.

KAAV Operators, Only 40 Selected from Elite Personnel

The primary mission of the KAAV-P7A1 is to swiftly transport troops from ship to shore, protect them from coastal enemy fire, and handle tasks such as casualty evacuation, forward supply delivery, and reinforcement troop transport during amphibious landing operations. This versatility allows fully equipped platoon-sized forces to deploy via land and sea, serving as ground vehicles and infantry fighting vehicles in ground operations.

In coastal and littoral operations, the KAAV excels in tasks such as coastal and obstacle reconnaissance, beachhead establishment, and beachhead assault operations. During peacetime, it is utilized in rapid response and operational support missions. Its capabilities and versatility make it an essential asset for coastal defense, littoral operations, joint exercises with allied nations, international peacekeeping operations, and the protection of overseas citizens.

As a specialized armored vehicle, KAAV operators are selected from elite personnel. Only 40 individuals are ultimately selected to become KAAV drivers, including those from the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions. To qualify, candidates must pass written exams on traffic laws, water safety, landing assault vehicle operation, and related subjects. Successful candidates receive specialized driver training for both land and sea operations. The final selection depends on passing land and sea mobility tests.

By. Hyun Ho Lee