VIDAR

VIDAR

VIDAR

Description

The Versatile InDirect ARtilleryis a self-propelled artillery system employed by Norway since 2022. The system is an export version of the South Korean K9 Thunder Self-Propelled Artillery Gun. Norway acquired the system to replace its aging M109A3GNMs of American origin. Norway acquired a total of 24 K9 Thunder artillery systems. The deliveries started in 2019 and concluded in 2021. The system has some differences compared to the South Korean version, like a combined NBC protection and air conditioning situated at the rear of the turret. This system was given to the Artilleribataljonen of the Brigade Nord, the only artillery unit in the Norwegian army.

Introduced in Update "Sons of Attila", the VIDAR is fitted with excellent optics and fire control system. At its BR, it is one of the few vehicles with both thermal imaging system and a laser rangefinder. However, the VIDAR lacks substantial armour. Its best round is a 155 mm HE shell that is capable of destroying most tanks but requires very good aiming when it faces heavily armoured targets like the T-55AMD. The vehicle also has a poor turret rotation speed and no stabilizer, and, being an artillery system, the gun depression is very mediocre. However, it has good mobility for a vehicle of its size, and a very good reverse speed of 42 km/h.

General info

Survivability and armour

The VIDAR has poor protection that doesn't protect against anything heavier than autocannons. It is also susceptible to CAS.

The turret and hull sides are rather flat, so the armour is always at its weakest.

However, due to the insignificant armour, there is a lot of space, so the crew as well as components are very spread out. Survival is not uncommon against APDS and HEAT/HEATFS.

Armour type:

Armour	Front (Slope angle)	Sides	Rear	Roof
Hull	40 mm	35 mm Top 35 mm Bottom	35 mm	10 - 35 mm
Turret	35 mm Turret front 20 mm Gun mantlet	35 mm	35 - 45 mm	35 mm
Cupola	20 mm	20 mm	20 mm	20 mm

Notes:

Mobility

Game Mode	Max Speed (km/h)		Weight (tons)	Engine power (horsepower)		Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
	Forward	Reverse		Stock	Upgraded	Stock	Upgraded
Arcade				1,420			__.__
Realistic				884			__.__

Armaments

Main armament

155 mm CN98					Turret rotation speed (°/s)					Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode	Capacity	Vertical	Horizontal	Stabilizer	Stock	Upgraded	Full	Expert	Aced	Stock	Full	Expert	Aced
Arcade	48	-4°/+70°	±180°	-	8.8	12.2	14.8	16.4	17.4	7.80	6.90	6.36	6.00
Realistic					5.9	7.0	8.5	9.4	10.0

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
		10 m	100 m	500 m	1,000 m	1,500 m	2,000 m
M107	HE	61	61	61	61	61	61
M107 (PF)	HE-VT	61	61	61	61	61	61
OE F3	HE	61	61	61	61	61	61

Shell details
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile mass (kg)	Fuse delay (m)	Fuse sensitivity (mm)	Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (kg)	Ricochet
							0%	50%	100%
M107	HE	563	43.1	0.3	0.1	9.14	79°	80°	81°
OE F3	HE	935	44.4	0.3	0.1	9	79°	80°	81°

Proximity-fused shell details
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile mass (kg)	Fuse delay (m)	Fuse sensitivity (mm)	Arming distance (m)	Trigger radius (m)	Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (kg)	Ricochet
									0%	50%	100%
M107 (PF)	HE-VT	580	43.1	0	0	300	3	9.14	79°	80°	81°

Smoke shell characteristics
Ammunition	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile mass (kg)	Screen radius (m)	Screen deploy time (s)	Screen hold time (s)	Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (g)
M110	563	40.8	21	5	30	50

Ammo racks

Full ammo	1st rack empty	2nd rack empty	3rd rack empty	4th rack empty	5th rack empty	6th rack empty	Visual discrepancy
48	__ (+__)	__ (+__)	__ (+__)	__ (+__)	__ (+__)	__ (+__)	__

Machine guns

12.7 mm M2HB
Mount	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal
Pintle	600 (200)	575	-6°/+15°	±180°

Usage in battles

Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Great firepower
• Great reload
• Agile
• Thermal Imager and Laser Rangefinder

Cons:

• Poor protection
• Poor gun depression
• Relatively small first-load ammo rack

History

The Versatile InDirect ARtillery is an export version of the South Korean K9 Thunder Self Propelled Artillery System, in service with the Norwegian Army. Norway decided to acquire a total of 24 K9 Thunder systems as well as 6 K10 resupply vehicles to replace their aging American-made M109A3GNM.

The VIDAR is operated by the only artillery unit in the Norwegian Army, the Artilleribataljonen of the Brigade Nord. The vehicle was manufactured by the company Hanwha Land Systems, deliveries started in 2019 and finished between 2020 and 2021. All units were considered operational by the Norwegian Army by January 1st, 2022.

The K9 Thunder was developed by South Korea, inspired by the American M109 Paladin. The vehicle was meant to be compatible with NATO projectiles and have good mobility to counteract counterbattery fire and change positions quickly and safely. The K9's first prototype was unveiled in 1996. The contract for its development was awarded to Samsung Aerospace Industries and just 3 years later in 1999 the ROK Army started to receive its first units of the vehicle. The first nation to acquire the production rights for the system was Turkey.

The K9 has only seen action in the Yeonpyeong bombardment of 2010, an artillery exchange between South Korean and North Korean soldiers. In this incident, 6 K9 systems from the South Korean Marine Infantry opened fire against North Korean positions.

The K9 has received very good export deals. Competing in the international markets with very powerful systems like the American M109 and German Pzh 2000, it has sold more than 1,700 units, including those for South Korea. Turkey has also fitted their own version of the system, the T-155 Firtina, with 300 units expected to be deployed.

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

See also

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• reference to the series of the vehicles;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

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• topic on the official game forum;
• other literature.

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ATGM	UDES 33 · Pbv 302 (BILL) · Pvrbv 551
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Norway	VIDAR