Korea ROK Anti-Aircraft Laser Systems

[Chocopie]

Mass-production of “Laser Air Defense Weapon Block-I“ by Hanwha Aerospace

1발 발사 비용이 고작 2천원?! 국내 개발 레이저대공무기 실사격 공개! #shorts

레이저를 무기에 적용하는한국형 스타워즈 프로젝트의 첫번째 사업!레이저대공무기(Block-I) 양산 착수레이저대공무기는 광섬유로부터 생성된광원 레이저를 표적에 직접 조사하여 무력화근거리에서 소형무인기 및 멀티콥터 등 정밀 타격 가능별도의 탄약이 불필요하며,1회 발사 시 소요 비용은 ...

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- container-sized static land-based laser system (9x3x3 m)
- 20 kW optical fiber laser
- approx. 700°C heat, 10-20 sec impulse
- up to 3 km range, integrated radar mast
- $1.45 cost per shot (only 2.000 Won)
- developed since 2019 ($63 mil. budget)
- against small to mid drones/multicopters/UAV
- deployment start in 2024

Block-II will feature a mobile 30 kW laser on truck with ~4 km range against aircraft/missile.

Block-III will feature 100 kW with ~20 km range.

IMO a premature deployment: issues like rainy & foggy weather, usability against massive swarm drone attacks aren‘t solved yet …

 

[Chocopie]

Korea's 'Star Wars' era begins as laser drone killer enters mass production​

An anti-air laser weapon system Block-I to be deployed in 2024 [DEFENSE ACQUISITION PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION]

The South Korean military will begin mass production of an anti-aircraft laser weapon capable of shooting down North Korean drones.

The Laser Air Defense Weapon, Block-I, will be deployed to the military this year, making South Korea the first known country worldwide to operate such laser weapons in its armed forces.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced Thursday it signed a contract with Hanwha Aerospace on June 25 to commence mass production of the Block-I.

The Block-I neutralizes targets by directly irradiating them with a laser generated from optical fibers.

It is capable of precision strikes on small drones and multicopters at close range, including North Korean drones, according to DAPA.

The system tracks the trajectory of a drone detected by radar and irradiates it with a laser for about 10 to 20 seconds, applying heat energy exceeding 700 degrees Celsius (1,292 Fahrenheit) to fry the target drone's engine or electronic equipment.

It strikes quickly and then moves on to the next target.

The system operates without ammunition, relying solely on electricity. Each shot costs about 2,000 won ($1.45).

"The laser weapon is invisible, silent and does not need ammunition, making it highly cost-effective, unlike traditional guided missiles," said DAPA spokesperson Jo Yong-jin during a press briefing on Thursday. "This makes it particularly effective against low-cost targets such as small drones."

The Block-I project marks the inaugural initiative of Korea's "Star Wars" project, integrating laser technology into battlefield weaponry.

Development of the laser weapon began in August 2019 with a budget of 87.1 billion won. The Agency for Defense Development led the system development project, and Hanwha Aerospace served as the prototype company.

The project achieved a 100 percent success rate in live-fire tests and received combat suitability certification in April last year, DAPA said.

"By signing the mass production contract for the Block-I, our country has become a leading nation in deploying laser weapons in military operations," said Lee Dong-seok, head of DAPA's Guided Weapon Project Division. "This will significantly enhance our military's ability to respond to North Korea's drone provocations."

To address Block-I's limitations, such as its performance in adverse weather conditions like rain and fog, DAPA announced plans to develop a Block-II variant with a more powerful laser.

Additionally, the state arms procurement agency plans to develop core technologies to increase the power of laser oscillators to several hundred kilowatts. The system is expected to be a game-changer on the battlefield, potentially countering aircraft and ballistic missiles.

Korea's 'Star Wars' era begins as laser drone killer enters mass production

The South Korean military will begin mass production of an anti-aircraft laser weapon capable of shooting down North Korean drones.

koreajoongangdaily.joins.com

 

[Chocopie]

Older article from 2023 about ROK‘s land-based laser development plans:

Hanwha from South Korea Unveils Advanced Laser Weapon Systems at ADEX 2023.​

Seoul, South Korea, October 30, 2023 - Hanwha Aerospace, a South Korean defense company, showcases its latest air defense innovation, the Block-I laser weapon system, at the Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2023 in South Korea. This cutting-edge technology can be mounted on various platforms, including containers, light vehicles, and heavy trucks, offering versatility in deployment.

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Scale model of Hanwha truck-mounted laser weapon system at ADEX 2023, Aerospace and Defense Exhibition in Seoul, South Korea. (Picture source Army Recognition)

While Hanwha has remained tight-lipped about the exact power of the laser weapon, it is clear that the truck-mounted version will pack a more significant punch. The Block-I system, whose development commenced in September 2019, is designed primarily to detect, track, and neutralize small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). With its 20 kW laser, it can effectively engage these threats at a close range of up to 3 km.

The development of this static system is on track for completion by 2023. Once operational, it is anticipated that the Republic of Korea Army's air-defense units will adopt the Block-I to safeguard strategic assets.

A unique feature of Block-1 is its use of light sources generated from optical fibers. The Agency for Defense Development (ADD) has pioneered an optical fiber laser generation technology. This innovative approach employs wavelength control beam coupling, which reduces the distribution of multiple laser lights with varying wavelengths through refraction, merging them into a singular, potent beam.

Designed to counter quadrotor drones or fixed-wing unmanned aircraft within a three-kilometer radius, the Block-1 is a testament to Hanwha's commitment to advancing short-range air defense capabilities. But the company's vision doesn't stop there. Plans are already in motion to develop the Block-2, a mobile version with an impressive 30-kilowatt output, slated for release before 2030. Furthermore, Block-3, boasting a staggering 100-kilowatt output and a range of 20 km, is in the pipeline. This formidable system will be capable of intercepting missiles and is designed for mounting on both warships and military aircraft.

Laser Weapons on the Modern Battlefield

Laser weapons, once the stuff of science fiction, are rapidly becoming a reality on today's battlefields. Their precision, speed of light delivery, and ability to engage multiple targets make them invaluable assets in modern warfare. As threats from drones and UAVs increase, laser systems like the Block-I offer a solution that is both efficient and cost-effective.

Moreover, as nations around the world invest in research and development, the capabilities of laser weapons continue to expand. From neutralizing UAVs to intercepting missiles, these systems are set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of military engagements.

In conclusion, Hanwha Aerospace's unveiling at ADEX 2023 is a clear indication of the direction in which modern warfare is headed. As laser technology continues to evolve, it promises to redefine defense strategies and ensure that armed forces are equipped to face the challenges of tomorrow.

Hanwha from South Korea Unveils Advanced Laser Weapon Systems at ADEX

Seoul, South Korea, October 30, 2023 - Hanwha Aerospace, a South Korean defense company, showcases its latest air defense innovation, the Block-I laser wea

armyrecognition.com

 

[Soldier30]

South Korea has shown a combat laser Block-I designed to intercept drones. The fiber-optic laser Block-I is designed to combat small UAVs at a distance of up to 3 km, the laser power is 20 kW. The Block-I laser has already begun to be mass-produced, this year the troops will receive it. The Block-I laser exists in a mobile and stationary version. The modernized version Block-II will be able to hit aircraft and ballistic missiles, how they will be able to intercept ballistic missiles is still unknown. Laser Air Defense Weapon Block-I was developed as part of the South Korean Star Wars project, research on it began in 2019, $ 63 million was spent.
The laser is manufactured by Hanwha Aerospace, the cost of a Block-I laser shot is one and a half dollars.

 

[Chocopie]

The Block-I laser exists in a mobile and stationary version.

Block I is stationary only.
Block II will get a mobile version.

 

[Afif]

I am very much interested to know the cost of each system.