30kW vehicle-mounted laser cannon demonstrated at drill

50kW laser armored vehicle also in development

A combat-vehicle-mounted high-energy laser cannon performs a drone interception demonstration at the Army TIGER+ Future Warfare Integrated Combat Training exercise hosted by Army Headquarters on Wednesday. [Hanwha Systems]
A combat-vehicle-mounted high-energy laser cannon performs a drone interception demonstration at the Army TIGER+ Future Warfare Integrated Combat Training exercise hosted by Army Headquarters on Wednesday. [Hanwha Systems]

Hanwha Systems' laser air-defense weapon intercepted all three drones deployed during an army exercise, showcasing the drone-countering capabilities of its Cheongwang laser system and a mobile laser cannon.

Hanwha Systems said Thursday it had successfully completed drone interception demonstrations of Cheongwang and a 30kW-class combat-vehicle-mounted high-energy laser cannon at the Army TIGER+ Future Warfare Integrated Combat Training exercise, hosted by Army Headquarters.

About 500 people attended the event, including Army Chief of Staff Gen. Kim Gyu-ha and other senior military officials, as well as experts from industry, academia and research institutions.

Cheongwang intercepted all three drones used in the demonstration. The Army TIGER+ exercise is designed to sharpen troops' ability to conduct operations in future battlefield environments using advanced combat assets.

Cheongwang is the Block-I laser air-defense weapon developed by the Agency for Defense Development, with Hanwha Systems serving as the prototype manufacturer. The company said it is the world's first laser weapon deployed operationally, with a firing cost of about 2,000 won ($1.45) per shot. The system draws electrical power rather than relying on a separate ammunition supply.

The combat-vehicle-mounted high-energy laser cannon demonstrated alongside Cheongwang is a 30kW-class mobile weapon system developed by Hanwha Systems under the program management of the Defense Agency for Technology and Quality. Key components were miniaturized and lightened to allow easy integration onto combat vehicles. The system also incorporates phase-change-based cooling technology to manage heat generated during high-power operation.

Cheongwang had previously been demonstrated publicly at the 78th Armed Forces Day ceremony held at Gyeryong in South Chungcheong Province on Oct. 1, where footage of a target drone catching fire and falling from the sky was broadcast live.

Not all four drones prepared for that event were shot down by the laser, however. In the first demonstration, one of two target drones crashed during takeoff — the military attributed the crash to strong gusts that damaged the drone's fiber-optic cable — and Cheongwang intercepted the remaining one. In the second demonstration, one drone was intercepted by the laser, but the other strayed outside the safety zone and was brought down by manually cutting its power.

Hanwha Systems is also developing a 50kW laser armored vehicle aimed at overseas markets.

Unveiled at last month's defense drone technology exhibition, the system focuses on improving mobility and output in response to overseas customer requirements, with development planned for completion by 2027.

"Laser weapons are a key game-changer that will reshape the future of air defense," said Shin Ju-hun, head of Hanwha Systems' Laser Business Center. "We will aggressively pursue the global market, led by Cheongwang — with its proven operational performance — and the 50kW laser armored vehicle, which offers superior mobility and high-power interception capability."


rimsclub@heraldcorp.com