L-SAM, Successful Target Interception Test as Well

Non-public Interception Test at Anheung Test Site on the 9th

The Ministry of National Defense stated that the Korean Air and Missile Defense system (KAMD) consists of L-SAM, Patriot (PAC)-3, and Medium-range Surface-to-Air Missile (M-SAM), and instead of introducing the U.S. THAAD, a THAAD-class interceptor missile will be developed domestically.

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Military authorities are reported to have succeeded in the first interception test of the long-range surface-to-air missile (L-SAM), known as the 'Korean-style THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense)'.

According to the military on the 22nd, the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) conducted a successful test launch on the 9th at the Anheung Test Site, intercepting a target missile with the L-SAM in a closed-door test.

The L-SAM is considered a core weapon of the Korean Missile Defense System (KAMD). During the test launch, it is reported that two types of missiles were fired: an anti-ballistic missile (ABM) and an air-to-air missile (AAM).

In early February this year, a flight test was conducted where the L-SAM was launched following a pre-set trajectory without a target. The L-SAM interceptor missile launched at that time accurately hit the planned impact point, and the flight test was evaluated as successful. Subsequently, about nine months later, the second phase, the target interception test, was also successful.

The L-SAM is being developed with the goal of intercepting North Korean ballistic missiles flying at altitudes of 50 to 60 km. In January this year, a 'ground floating test' was conducted, a procedure to verify on the ground the free position change and directional control capabilities of the Kill Vehicle, which directly intercepts enemy ballistic missiles at high altitudes. In April, a prototype of the multifunction radar (MFR), a key sensor capable of simultaneously tracking hundreds of aircraft and dozens of ballistic missiles, was unveiled.

Once deployed, the L-SAM will form a multi-layered defense system together with THAAD, which defends the upper layer at altitudes of 40 to 150 km, the Patriot (PAC-3) missile responsible for the lower layer at 15 to 40 km, and the medium-range surface-to-air missile (M-SAM) 'Cheongung-II'.

The military plans to complete the development of the L-SAM system by the end of 2024 after additional test launches and evaluations, begin mass production in 2026, and deploy it in operational service around 2027 to 2028. As North Korean missiles become more advanced in altitude, the deployment timeline may be accelerated.