SPOTD: Amphibious Battle Tank Transport Ship Sungoonbang

Today’s Ship Photo Of The Day shows the Korean Amphibious Ship (LST) Sungoonbang unloading a Republic of Korea Type 88 K1 Main Battle Tank during a 2004 military joint military exercise at Pohang Beach, South Korea.

 

 

This LST is designed to land personnel, tanks and equipment simultaneously with doors and ramps placed on both the stern and bow of the ship (unlike most LST’s which only have doors on one side). The vessel is also equipped with a turn table, saving time when loading or landing vehicles. There is a ramp for moving trucks up to the deck, and multiple cargo elevators for rapid loading and unloading.

She belongs to the Go Jun Bong class of LSTs and can be deployed to transport troops, supplies and heavy equipment to remote beachheads.

Sungoonbang was launched in 1996 at Korea Tacoma Shipyards (now Hanjin Heavy Industries) during, she has a top speed of 16 knots

This ship can carry 258 troops, 12 battle tanks, 14 amphibious assault vehicles and eight 2.5t class trucks or can launch and recover four landing craft, vehicle, personnel (LCVPs) to complement amphibious operations. The aft helicopter deck can support a single medium-lift utility helicopter, such as a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk.