[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] An Amnokgang Strike Weapon Emerges

Development of 300km-range KTSSM-II by 2027
Possible Replacement for Existing US-made ATACMS

The 'Tactical Surface-to-Surface Guided Weapon (KTSSM)-Ⅱ,' capable of precision strikes from over 300 km away on North Korean army tunnels and fortified positions housing long-range artillery, will be developed by November 2027.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration on the 18th, the military will invest about 200 billion won from this month until December 2027 to start the development project for the Tactical Surface-to-Surface Guided Weapon-Ⅱ system.

Unlike the KTSSM-Ⅰ, which operates from fixed positions, the KTSSM-Ⅱ, known as the 'long-range artillery killer,' is operated from the mobile launcher (TEL) of the K-239 ‘Cheonmu’ multiple launch rocket system (MLRS), offering superior mobility and survivability.

The KTSSM-Ⅱ is expected to have a range of over 300 km, compared to the current KTSSM-Ⅰ, which has a 400 mm caliber and a range of 180 km. When launched near the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), it can reach as far as the Yalu River. Considering that the Cheonmu MLRS is an artillery weapon system operated at the army corps level, if the KTSSM-Ⅱ operated from Cheonmu vehicles is deployed to each corps, the artillery range at the corps level will be significantly extended.

Additionally, with the introduction of the KTSSM-Ⅱ, it can replace the role of the existing U.S.-made ATACMS missile, which uses the MLRS TEL and has a range of 300 km.

The KTSSM-Ⅱ is being developed under the supervision of the Agency for Defense Development, with major defense companies participating as prototype manufacturers. Currently, Hanwha Aerospace, the prototype manufacturer, is about to finalize the contract.

The KTSSM was developed domestically after the November 2010 Yeonpyeong Island shelling to destroy North Korea’s long-range artillery positions built in underground tunnels. The Type Ⅰ uses a penetrating thermobaric warhead capable of penetrating several meters underground, making it specialized for striking tunnel positions. The Type Ⅰ is currently reported to be in mass production, frontline unit deployment, and operational status.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.