Samsan S915
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The Samsan S915 is a heavy logistics vehicle manufactured in Menghe by Samsan Automotive. The main variant uses an 8x8 drivetrain, though 4x4, 6x6, and 10x10 variants are also available. The S915 is available on both the military and civilian markets, and comes in a number of variants, purpose-built to the relevant mission.
| Samsan S915 | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Samsan Automotive |
| Production | 2002-present |
| Assembly | Haeju, South Donghae, Menghe |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Heavy lorry |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Samsan G753 V8 Turbo-diesel (260 hp) |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 1,545 mm (60.8 in) 2,545 mm (100.2 in) 1,545 mm (60.8 in) |
| Length | 8,020 mm (315.7 in) |
| Width | 2,500 mm (98.4 in) |
| Height | 3,140 mm (123.6 in) |
| Curb weight | 10,450 kg (23,040 lb) |
History
Samsan Automotive developed the S915 in 2002 as an independent venture, targeted at both the military and civilian markets. Though Samsan was initially a steel and machine parts manufacturer, by the early 2000s its automotive arm had already put out a number of reasonably successful civilian lines, and it was producing engine parts on contract for the Armed Forces.
At first, the Menghean Army expressed limited interest in the new lorry, viewing the reliable Chŏnsŏ 288 as adequate for most logistics duties. In 2003 the Army put forward a small order, mainly for specialist-vehicle roles where the Chŏnsŏ 288 was too light and the Taekchŏn T512 was too heavy. These early S915s did better on the civilian market, particularly in Dzhungestan and Polvokia where logging companies needed a reliable offroad vehicle with a large payload.
Military interest in the S915 grew again in 2015, when the Procurement Directorate of the Ministry of National Defense announced a competition for a new standard supply vehicle with automated loading capabilities. Samsan submitted several S915 variants, including a ten-wheeled variant with a pallet loading system.