[Exclusive] Korean-style Star Wars Laser Weapon Developed to Capture North Korean Drones [Yang Nakgyu's Defence Club]

Research on 'Laser Anti-Air Weapon Block-I' since 2019
Yesterday (25th) Test Evaluation 'Combat Suitability Confirmed'
Mass Production from Next Year... World's First Laser Anti-Air Weapon

A laser anti-aircraft weapon, dubbed the ‘Korean-style Star Wars technology,’ has been developed. The laser anti-aircraft weapon is a laser cannon designed to intercept drones and is considered a representative weapon capable of countering North Korea's unmanned aerial vehicle attacks. If South Korea begins mass production next year, it will become the first country in the world to deploy a laser anti-aircraft weapon.

According to government officials on the 26th, the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) recently conducted test evaluations of the laser anti-aircraft weapon at the Anheung Test Site in Taean, Chungnam Province, and issued a ‘combat suitability certification’ the day before. During the test evaluation, the laser was fired 30 times and successfully hit all 30 drones located 3 km away, achieving a 100% hit rate. An official stated, "Our military plans to begin full-scale mass production of the laser anti-aircraft weapon, which has received combat suitability certification, starting next year," adding, "Subsequently, the laser anti-aircraft weapon prototypes will be diversified and mounted on aircraft and naval vessels to protect the platforms from missiles." The military also plans to equip the laser anti-aircraft weapon on wheeled and tracked armored vehicles for operational use.

20kW (kilowatt) output domestic laser anti-aircraft weapon (Photo by Hanwha Aerospace)

20kW (kilowatt) output domestic laser anti-aircraft weapon (Photo by Hanwha Aerospace)

Previously, ADD began the ‘Laser Anti-Aircraft Weapon Block-I’ research and development project in September 2019. In September of the following year, a demonstration was held at the Anheung Test Site where a 20 kW output laser beam pierced an iron plate target located 1 km away. The target used in the demonstration was made of the same material as North Korean Rodong missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles discovered in Paju in 2014. At that time, the prototype of the laser anti-aircraft weapon was manufactured by Hanwha Aerospace. The recent test evaluation is significant because the laser anti-aircraft weapon’s range was extended to 3 km and it successfully hit actual flying drones.

The output power of the domestically produced laser anti-aircraft weapon is 20 kW (kilowatts), which is 20 times higher than that of a microwave oven (1 kW). Depending on conditions, typically, a 20?50 kW output is required to shoot down drones, 100 kW output to destroy anti-tank missiles, and 300 kW output to neutralize cruise missiles. The military plans to develop the ‘Laser Anti-Aircraft Weapon Block-II’ by 2030, increasing the output to 30 kW.

The laser anti-aircraft weapon is praised for its speed and cost competitiveness. The laser travels at 300,000 km per second. It is faster than hypersonic missiles (Mach 8), making it virtually impossible to evade or counterattack the laser. It is also cost-effective. The cost per laser shot is about 1 dollar, which is economical compared to THAAD missiles (11 billion won per missile) or Shingung missiles (200 million won per missile). The laser weapon also boasts high accuracy, capable of passing through gaps narrower than a 5.56 mm bullet from a personal rifle.

The United States has yet to deploy laser anti-aircraft weapons in actual combat. The U.S. Navy unveiled the High Energy Laser Weapon System (LWSD) in 2020, and the following year, the U.S. Marine Corps developed the Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (CLaWS) laser weapon for low-altitude air defense, releasing footage of it intercepting and shooting down small drones. The U.S. Air Force and Army plan to equip 50 kW class laser weapons on the F-35 stealth fighter and Stryker armored vehicles, respectively.