South Korean company Hanwha displayed at the 18–20 November DX Korea 2020 defence exhibition in the South Korean city of Goyang models of three future laser-based weapon systems for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces.
Among the systems displayed at the show, which was held at the Kintex exhibition centre in Gyeonggi Province, were the ‘Laser Based Anti-Aircraft Weapon Block-I’ and the ‘Laser Based Anti-Aircraft Weapon Block-II’, both of which were developed by Hanwha in co-operation with the country’s Agency for Defense Development (ADD).
A model of Hanwha’s ‘Laser Based Anti-Aircraft Weapon Block-II’ system as displayed during the 18–20 November DX Korea 2020 defence exhibition in Goyang. (Dae Young Kim )
The Block-I system, development of which began in September 2019, is expected to be capable of detecting and tracking small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and neutralising them at close range (up to 3 km) by using its 20 kW laser.
Development of the static system is due to be completed by 2023, after which it is expected to be adopted by air-defence units of the Republic of Korea Army to protect strategic assets.
The 30 kW Block-II system, development of which is slated for completion by 2030, will be mounted on a truck. The model at DX Korea 2020 was shown using the same vehicle as that used by the K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher.
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