South Korea tests cutting-edge laser weapon to counter aerial threats
2:01 PM EDT, July 17, 2024
South Korea conducted the first tests of the future Laser-based Anti-Aircraft Weapon Block-I system, which is expected to provide cost-effective neutralization of a wide range of targets compared to current solutions. Here’s what we know about the South Korean laser.
The tested South Korean laser is a 20 kW design intended for use by South Korean land forces. It is a stationary solution, while the Block-II variant will be mobile. A more powerful Block-III variant is also being developed for use on ships.
These systems will complement 40 mm anti-aircraft and anti-drone gun systems. While the laser is effective for certain applications, these guns, loaded with anti-tank ammunition, are better suited for countering more armored targets that the laser cannot handle. South Korea's development of future weapons is similar to the American or British efforts.
Laser weapons — a shot costs a few dollars with no accuracy problems
Once a staple of science fiction, laser weapons are becoming a reality. Once introduced into service, they are likely to replace classical anti-aircraft gun systems more easily and cheaply for tasks such as eliminating drones or cruise missiles.
Lasers offer pinpoint accuracy over a distance of several miles due to the speed of light. However, the downside is beam dispersion over distance, which affects its power and makes it susceptible to weather conditions. Foggy or rainy weather will reduce the laser's range due to faster dispersion.
Another significant advantage is the cost per shot, which is only a few dollars. This is starkly less expensive than the Skynex system, where a multi-round series can cost several thousand dollars, depending on the ammunition type. With lasers, the only ongoing cost is electricity.
This eliminates light targets, such as drones or cruise missiles, at a very low cost. Only heavily armored targets, like penetrating warheads or aircraft bombs, can withstand the beam long enough to strike their targets.
Lasers neutralize targets through high temperatures, which can melt a drone or cause a cruise missile’s warhead or rocket fuel to detonate by heating its casing. Laser weapons will significantly enhance South Korea's capabilities against cheap and massively used drones.
