[KADEX On-site] LIG Showcases Anti-Drone Solutions... Bigung US Export Also 'Within Sight'

On the 2nd, LIG Nex1's Shingung and self-propelled artillery interception system were exhibited at the 'Korea International Defense Industry Exhibition' held at Gyeryongdae, Chungnam. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

On the 2nd, LIG Nex1 showcased its 'Integrated Anti-Drone System' that detects and neutralizes hostile drones at the Korea International Defense Industry Exhibition (KADEX) held in Gyeryong-si, Chungnam.

The Integrated Anti-Drone System protects critical national facilities and allied forces by detecting, identifying, and neutralizing unidentified drones. It consists of detection sensors and neutralization equipment. After detecting enemy drones with AESA radar, it tracks them using an electro-optical infrared (EO/IR) camera and suppresses them with a jammer. A LIG Nex1 official stated, "It is a system that protects national and allied critical facilities from unmanned aerial vehicles sent from North Korea and illegal drones," adding, "Using this system, drones within an 8 km radius can be detected and tracked, and drones within 3 km can be neutralized." This system has been supplied to Gimpo City and the National Police Agency.

At this exhibition, LIG Nex1 also presented a 'Comprehensive Drone Solution' specialized for future battlefields, as well as ▲ the 'Unmanned Surface Vehicle (Haegum-3)' which will serve as the basis for manned and unmanned surface combined systems, and ▲ the ship-to-ship guided weapon 'Bigung.'

Bigung notably succeeded in the final test launch of the U.S. Foreign Comparative Testing (FCT), increasing the possibility of export to the U.S. as the first domestically produced guided weapon. Bigung, which was commissioned by the South Korean Marine Corps in 2016, hit all six targets during the final test launch of the FCT conducted in the Hawaiian waters in July this year. The FCT is a program by the U.S. Department of Defense to evaluate excellent technologies from defense companies of allied countries worldwide and link them to development and acquisition projects promoted by the U.S. Having passed the rigorous U.S. verification system, exports to other countries are also anticipated. Shin Ik-hyun, CEO of LIG Nex1, who visited the exhibition site, said, "(Regarding weapon exports) it may take time as it requires budget expenditure and congressional approval procedures by the U.S. government," but added, "It is only a matter of timing, and I am 100% confident in Bigung's export to the U.S."

LIG Nex1 is also promoting the development of various smart armament solutions to respond to the decrease in manpower resources and contribute to military elite forces. Representative examples include the 'micro guided missile' operated in a multipurpose launcher attached to the Korean-style rifle, laser rifles, and 20mm remote-controlled weapon systems (RCWS).

Especially, having succeeded in exporting the Cheongung-II to Iraq following the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia, LIG Nex1 is building a 'K-Integrated Air Defense Belt' and is accelerating overseas market expansion at this exhibition. They introduced key products such as the portable surface-to-air missile launcher 'Singung,' which is the core of the low-altitude multilayer air defense network, the infantry mid-range guided weapon 'Hyeongung,' the counter-battery radar 'Cheonggyeong-II,' which is a core asset in firepower warfare, and the long-range artillery interception system.