"Shot Down a Flying Drone" Hyundai Wia Achieves First Success in Korea

Drone Shootdown Using Airburst Munitions

Hyundai Wia has succeeded in the first hard kill test of an Anti-Drone System (ADS) in Korea. The company announced that it successfully completed the ADS firing test conducted on the 5th at a shooting training ground in Chungbuk.

ADS is equipment that neutralizes drones. Hyundai Wia developed the ADS by adding a hard kill method that directly intercepts drones with airburst munitions (ABM) to the soft kill function, which disrupts drone signals to prevent them from flying.

Hyundai Wia is conducting a hard-kill firing test of the 'Anti-Drone System (ADS)' at a shooting training ground located in Chungcheongbuk-do on the 5th.
[Photo by Hyundai Wia]

Hyundai Wia tested drone shootdown focusing on the hard kill function. Drones detected at long range were identified and tracked using optical devices and then shot down. The tests were successful both in shooting down drones held in place by a successful soft kill and in shooting down drones freely maneuvering after a soft kill failure.

The company developed the ADS to neutralize drones in any situation. It can detect drones at long range via radar and identify and track them using optical devices. In situations where soft kill methods such as jamming, spoofing to seize drone control, or electromagnetic waves are difficult, drones can be shot down through hard kill.

Hyundai Wia is conducting a hard-kill firing test of the 'Anti-Drone System (ADS)' at a shooting training ground located in Chungcheongbuk-do on the 5th.
[Photo by Hyundai Wia]

Streamer rounds, which minimize civilian damage, were also developed for use. These rounds are equipped with dozens of vinyl strings that, upon interception, explode and entangle the drone rotors with the vinyl strings to shoot them down.

Hyundai Wia has also started developing a vehicle-mounted ADS. It is scheduled to be unveiled at Seoul ADEX 2023, the largest domestic defense industry exhibition held in October.

A Hyundai Wia official said, “We aim to provide the optimal solution to respond to rapidly evolving drone attack technologies,” adding, “We will make further efforts to minimize drone threats at national critical facilities and frontline areas and contribute to the development of Korea’s defense industry and technology.”