Tank or Bomber? Everything About the Invisible Weapon B-21
Rokna Political Desk: South Korea has unveiled its new-generation K3 main battle tank, a highly advanced combat vehicle whose design closely resembles the U.S. stealth bomber B-21. The cutting-edge tank features a hydrogen engine, an unmanned turret, and an artificial intelligence (AI) system designed for high-precision targeting, ensuring crew safety against top-attack threats.
The South Korean defense company Hyundai Rotem has introduced a prototype of its next-generation main battle tank, named K3, which is expected to revolutionize armored warfare in the 2030s. With its radically different and stealth-oriented design, the K3 not only bears a striking resemblance to the American B-21 stealth bomber but also incorporates groundbreaking features such as a hydrogen propulsion system, advanced AI technology, and an unmanned turret — all aimed at countering modern threats, particularly drone strikes.
The K3 tank has been designed with the goal of dramatically reducing the likelihood of detection:
According to Rokna, its B-21-like appearance features a smooth, integrated hull and turret to minimize radar reflection, making it visually and structurally similar to stealth bombers.
Silent and cool engine: The use of a hydrogen-powered engine significantly reduces the tank’s thermal (heat) and acoustic signatures, making detection by infrared (IR) sensors nearly impossible.
Artificial intelligence and exceptional fire range:
The K3’s fire control system is fully powered by artificial intelligence, enabling target acquisition and destruction within fractions of a second.
Five-mile range: Equipped with a 130mm smoothbore gun, the tank can accurately engage targets at distances up to five miles (approximately eight kilometers).
Crew safety: The K3 features a completely unmanned turret, with its three-person crew protected beneath the tank’s heavy armor. This configuration minimizes their vulnerability to “top-down” attacks — a type of strike that proved devastating during the war in Ukraine.
The K3 is designed for future warfare environments heavily integrated with drones. It can command manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) operations, coordinating reconnaissance and combat drones for resupply, surveillance, or forward offensive missions.
Its lighter weight and improved mobility also address traditional challenges faced by tanks, such as crossing obstacles and maintaining pace with infantry units.
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