Korean Army on Its Way to Hydrogen Energy for Military Hardware.
The Korean Army will switch military vehicles from those powered by internal combustion engines to those loaded with hydrogen engines. Korea’s leading mobility technology companies will join the Korean Army in this initiative.
On June 17, the Korean Army’s Seventh Mobile Corps held the Future Hydrogen Mobility Public-Private-Military Cooperation Seminar at the Seventh Mobile Corps Conference Center in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province. The event was attended by representatives from mobility companies such as Hyundai Motor, Kia Corp., Hyundai Rotem and Doosan Mobility, the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy and the Korea Automotive Technology Institute.
The Seventh Mobile Corps was set up to advance to North Korea in wartime mainly with tanks and armored vehicles. It has more than 800 tanks. This exceeds the number of tanks run by the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. Currently, all of them are loaded with internal combustion engines. The plan is to switch to hydrogen engines from internal combustion engines.
Through this seminar, the Seventh Mobile Corps will convert military vehicles and supplies such as batteries and power generation sources ahead of others. To this end, the brass of the corps delivered documents explaining functions they need to carry out military operations to each company. Hyundai’s and Kia’s hydrogen-fueled vehicles will be converted for military use. The two automakers will research and develop military-grade hydrogen vehicles that can be used in wartime based on the documents.
According to industry sources, Hyundai will develop a hydrogen refueling vehicle named the “H-Moving Station,” for military use. The vehicle can carry 50 kilograms of hydrogen and can be recharged regardless of places. Kia is developing a hydrogen-powered vehicle. The goal is to supply 100 kW per hour with hydrogen fuel cells. It is also developing a hydrogen military vehicle. Doosan Mobility is developing hydrogen drones. Hyundai Rotem is focusing on hydrogen tanks and armored vehicles.
The Second Rapid Response Division under the Seventh Mobile Corps plans to pilot hydrogen-powered light tactical vehicles and hydrogen-fueled vehicles beginning from this December. It will also operate two hydrogen drones in the National Defense Drill in October. Hyundai Rotem will test-run a hydrogen generator by the end of this year.
Power generation efficiency drove the Korean Army to a decision to switch to hydrogen energy. Conventional fossil fuel power generation is 28 to 32 percent efficient. Hydrogen power generation can raise its efficiency to 47 percent or higher. Hydrogen fuel cells are smaller in volume and lighter in weight than traditional electric battery cells. The strategy is to generate electric power wherever it is needed to keep power supply going.
Hydrogen use can also prevent the Korean Army from being detected by enemies. Diesel engines’ noise and fumes can help enemies easily find the location of Korean Army soldiers. Hydrogen as a power source does not generate noise, fumes, and heat. Reducing carbon emissions is another good point.
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Korean Army on Its Way to Hydrogen Energy for Military Hardware. source
