NMT-31 "Dokkaebi"

NMT-31 "Dokkaebi"
Type	Fourth Generation Main Battle Tank (MBT)
Place of origin	Neo-Korea
Service history
In service	2031-Present
Used by	Neo-Korea
Wars	2034 Matsumae Invasion
Production history
Designer	Program Yurei-2 Team, Mihara Masu
Designed	2020-2031
Manufacturer	Akira Heavy Industries (hull, armor) Dongrang Ltd (electronics), Karasu Ltd (optics), Miyamoto Ltd (armament), SuKo (engine, transmission, suspension), Kiyoteru Ltd (drone)
Unit cost	17.5 Million
Produced	2031-Present
No. built	80
Specifications
Weight	55 t (55,000 kg) - 60 t (60,000 kg)
Length	10.6 m (35 ft) (Overall)
Width	3.7 m (12 ft)
Height	2.4 m (7.9 ft)
Crew	4 (Commander (Turret), Driver (Turret), Gunner (Turret), Scout Drone and Communications Officer (Hull)
Armor	Akira MIL-12560H Steel and Silicon Carbide Ceramic Plate. Additional Armor 1: Yurei Counter-Infrared Military Camouflaged Plates. Additional Armor 2: NERA add-on Armor Active Protection Systems: 2x Miyamoto STBS APS
Main armament	Miyamoto MCC-O1 120mm L55 (40 rounds carried; autoloader)
Secondary armament	1x GA-95R "Gangta Moon" 8x58mm Coaxial Machine Gun 1x 5-Packed Tsume AGTM/LML (Loitering Munitions Launcher) 1x Remote-Controlled GA-95R "Gangta Moon" Commander Machine Gun Kiyoteru KJTB-5 Scout and Fire Control Drone
Engine	SuKo S7K4 Long-Stroke 12 Cylinder Water-Cooled Diesel 1,500hp (1,100kW)
Power/weight	24.6hp/t, 18.35kW/kg
Transmission	SuKo HT13K (6 forward, 4 reverse)
Suspension	SuKo SAT90K Semi-Active Magnetorhelogical Dampener, DTTS (Dynamic Track Tension System)
Ground clearance	0.43m (1ft 5in)
Fuel capacity	1,500L
Operational range	500km (310mi)
Speed	Maximum Speed (Paved): 65km/h (40mph) Maximum Speed (Offroad): 50km/h (31mph)

The NMT-31 Dokkaebi (lit: Goblin) is a Neo-Korean Fourth-Generation Main Battle Tank, designed by a large grouping of Lushun-based Iminchebol to fulfill perceived gaps in the capability of the NMT-91 "Sangaku" after the failure of several similar programs. The reason the name was chosen is unknown, presumed to be an in-joke amongst the development staff which was officially adopted. With a unit cost of 17.5 Million, the Dokkaebi is one of the most expensive, if the not the most expensive, tanks currently available in the world. The Dokkaebi represents the pinnacle of current Neo-Korean armored designs, being highly integrated with the Karasu CJSS Network and being able to interface with almost all available equipment also utilizing the program, which has most notably allowed for it to direct swarms of up to 5 Shimurugu Loitering Munitions.

Mass production has not been started, although low-rate production has been ongoing since 2031. A planned date for mass adoption has not been revealed, although it is presumed to be in the 2035-2036 period.

History and Development

Main Article: NMT-92 "Sangaku"

The NMT-92 Sangaku would be the primary design which fought in both the Invasion of Jungg'o and the 2015 Marquesan Intervention, operating effectively from the 1990's to its original end-date of 2013 through repeated modification. Despite this effectiveness, design inefficiencies and a desire to create a tank utilizing an autoloader and other available means of improving crew efficiency over longer periods of time, a key issue with the manual loading system of the Sangaku. Neo-Korea would investigate a number of potential designs - putting off upgrading to a new main battle tank (instead using the NLMT-06 "Daitengu" light tank as its primary combat platform for this period) after a number of failed attempts. Eventually, the Dokkaebi would be chosen as the primary line of development for a future tank in the early 2020's, owing to the Akira Heavy Industries prototype for such being the most successful of those which had been tested within the last 5 years.

After a period of development, the first tanks would be made available in 2031, receiving favorable reception by soldiers in comparison to the still-in-service Sangaku-2020 model.

Design

Weapon Systems

The Dokkaebi is heavily armed, incorporating a pop-up AGTM/LML System holding 5 Tsume AGTM Missiles or 5 Shimirugu Loitering Munitions, two Gangta Star 8x58mm Machine Guns, and a 120mm-L55 main cannon, capable of firing the Poka-2 Depleted Uranium Shell or the Suringu Guided High Explosive Shell, amongst others. The MCC-O1 can hit a target of 30cm (12in) at a range of 1km (0.62mi), and can fire 10 rounds per minute owing to a bustle autoloader system. Both machine guns have been lightened for convenience.

Fire Control, Optics

The Dokkaebi primarily utilizes Karasu equipment in the operation of its Fire-Control System, including the MAS-1K Laser Rangefinder, the Karasu HV1 Thermographic Camera, capable of utilizing a "lock-on mode" for the purpose of acquiring and tracking specific targets at a range of 9.8km (6.1mi), and the Dongrang MFH1-5O Extremely High-Frequency Pulsed Dopplar Radar installed on the front of the turret, which allows for the engagement of low-flying aircraft. This process can also be done automatically.

These systems are also linked to advance gun-stabilization and trigger-delay technology to allow for accurate combat in the conditions of uneven ground- operating by blocking the laser sight from alignment when an obstruction not deemed as a viable combatant is found.

The Karasu Thermographic Panoramic Sights installed for both the Gunner and Commander possess up to 4x and 15x natural magnification, and up to 30x and 60x when the installed digital image processor is also utilized. The Gunner position can, in the event of incapacitation, be overridden by the Commander, allowing said Commander to take control of the main armament and turret as a whole from their own seat. Hypothetically, the tank can be operated by a two-man crew in the event of necessity, although corresponding losses in capability will occur.

Networking Capabilities

The Dokkaebi's own networking is linked to the Karasu CJSS (Ground Information Control System), which is capable of GPS/INS, acting as a C4I uplink, IFF/SIF, and BMS data sharing system linked with helicopters, the attached Scout Drone, and other armored vehicles. IFF identification is based on an attached system capable of firing a 36GHz beam which can determine friendliness based on returned signal.

Defensive Capabilities

Passive

The Dokkaebi utilizes a modular armor system incorporating either NERA Armor or the Yurei Counter-Infrared Plate, depending upon the situation and perceived risk/reward of either system. The vehicle as a whole is made of Akira MIL-12560H Steel alongside silicon carbide armor plating, offering frontal protection from the same 120mm APFSDS it utilizes in the MCC-01.

Inside the tank, air conditioning and positive pressure systems exist to protect from chemical or biological weaponry, while an automatic fire suppression system assists in neutralizing the threat of internal fires. Atmospheric detection systems automatically inform the crew if they are entering a hazardous situation.

Active

The tank is equipped with Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) and Laser Warning Receiver (LWR) systems attached to the Miyamoto STBS APS, which detect homing radar or homing laser aimed at the tank and notify friendly units via network systems, alongside automatically turning the STBS to engage the opposed armament, in the form of firing an NK912 multispectral screening smoke device to hide the tank from visible, infrared, and millimeter wave optics alongside missile disruption. It is capable of detecting wire-guided missiles.

Mobility

The Dokkaebi can operate at speeds of up to 65km/h (40mph) when on paved surfaces, and up to 50km/h (31mph) off-road. It can clone 60% (31 degree) hills, and obstacles of up to 1.3 meters in height with ease. The engine is generally compact, and has been designed to be easily replaceable in the event of battle damage, with other systems internally being similar.

Snorkel/Air Control

The Dokkaebi is protected from biochemical attacks via the means of a fully sealed and air controlled chassis. The tank also incorporates a snorkel system to assist in large scale transport, capable of crossing at a depth of 4.1m, alongside being able to enter combat-ready status immediately after fording a body of water.

Suspension

The Dokkaebi uses a Magnetorhelogical Dampening System, which operates through the manipulation of Magnetorhelogical fluid controlled by a magnetic field which can be autonomously altered to provide a stable experience for the crew within the tank, assisting in maintaining capabilities over long-scale periods of combat time. Each bogie on the tank is also controllable, allowing for the tank to take lowered firing positions to assist in the elevation and depression of the main cannon, alongside assisting in clearance for maneuverability. This feature allows it to target the roofs of buildings at an angle of 24 degrees.

Engine, Powertrain

The Dokkaebi was faced with severe engine reliability issues early in development, owing to the utilization of a Miyamoto design which was generally untested (but had higher power). It took an approximate 3 years to decide to make the switch to SuKo’s proposed engine, which solved this issue in good order and allowed for the design process to continue. The transmission has proven itself to be greatly reliable, and no major defects have currently been found with it.

Production

Batch	Year	Engine	Transmission	Total	Notes
1	2031-????	SuKo S7K4	SuKo HT13K	200+ (Planned)	First design, currently in low-rate production.

Export Attempts

The NMT-31 has been offered for export repeatedly, although all attempts to make a sale have failed owing to foreign competition, such as the FV58 Huntsman.

Prototypes and Variants

Prototypes

• NXM-30: Mobility testing model, used primarily to test Magnetorhelogical Dampener.
• NXC-30: Cannon testing model, used to test first autoloading turret.
• NXM-30: Main testing model, used to show capability for project to function as one whole.

Variants

• NMT-31: Mass production variant, incorporating all promised features. Model offered for export repeatedly.

Operators

Neo-Korea - 80 (NMT-31), 200+ Planned.

See Also

• FV58 Huntsman