Hanwha Systems Succeeds in Localizing Laser Anti-Aircraft Weapon Generator

Key Performance Improved by Over 50% Compared to Imported Units

The localization of core components for the Laser Anti-Aircraft Weapon (Block-I) 'Cheongwang' has been successfully achieved. As of the end of 2024, Cheongwang has been deployed as a weapon system that neutralizes enemy drones and unmanned aerial vehicles by firing high-powered, fiber-optic-based lasers.

Laser Anti-Aircraft Weapon (Block-I) 'Cheongwang'. Photo by Defense Acquisition Program Administration

According to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration on June 1, the localization of the laser oscillator, a key component of Cheongwang, was completed at the end of last month. As a result, the localization rate (based on value) of the Laser Anti-Aircraft Weapon has increased from 76% to 90%. The localized laser oscillator will be applied starting from future mass production batches. The localization development was led by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), with Hanwha Systems participating as the prototype manufacturer.

At the outset of development, the laser oscillator was sourced from overseas due to insufficient technological maturity. However, alongside system development, a parallel effort was undertaken to independently develop a higher-performance laser oscillator, ultimately resulting in successful development.

The localized laser oscillator boasts a more than 50% improvement in key performance metrics, such as output, compared to its previously imported counterparts. As a result, the time required to shoot down drones (rotary wing) has been reduced from 2–4 seconds to 1–2 seconds, and for unmanned aerial vehicles (fixed wing), from over 10 seconds to within a few seconds.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration stated, "The laser oscillator is the most critical core component that determines the performance of laser weapons," adding, "Globally, only a few countries—including the United States, Israel, China, and Germany—are known to be capable of independently developing and mass-producing such technology."

The agency further noted that this localization is expected to strengthen the military's independent response capabilities against enemy drone and unmanned aerial vehicle threats. It also stated, "Going forward, we plan to continue upgrading performance—such as increasing output and precision, as well as achieving miniaturization and weight reduction—through projects like the development of the Laser Anti-Aircraft Weapon Block-II system."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.