Hwacha

Hwacha
A hwacha model at the Seoul War Memorial.
Korean name
Hunminjeongeum
화차
Hanja
Revised RomanizationHwacha
McCune–ReischauerHwach'a

The hwacha or hwach'a (Korean: 화차; Hanja: 火車; lit. fire cart[1]) was a multiple rocket launcher and an organ gun of similar design which were developed in fifteenth century Korea. The former variant fired one or two hundred rocket-powered arrows,[2][3] while the latter fired several dozen iron-headed arrows or bolts out of gun barrels. The term was used to refer to other war wagons or other cart-based artillery in later periods, such as that developed by Byeon Yijung in the 1590s.

These weapons were notably deployed in the defense of the Korean Peninsula against the Japanese when they invaded in the 1590s.[4] Some East Asian historians believe this technological breakthrough, alongside the turtle ship in the mid-16th century, had a distinctive effect during the war.[5]

Hwachas appear in Korean museums, national parks, and popular culture today.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Branch_ was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Kim Jaffe 2010 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Haskew_ was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ R. G. Grant (2011). Commanders. Dorling Kindersley Ltd. p. 117.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Ki-Baik Schultz 2005 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).