The era of using laser beams as anti-aircraft weapons, straight out of science fiction movies, is here.
On Thursday, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced it would begin mass production of the anti-air laser weapons system called “Block-I.”
“Block-I” system is a futuristic weapon system concept that neutralizes targets by directly shining a light source laser generated from optical fibers. It follows the trajectory of a radar-detected drone, shining a laser for about 10 to 20 seconds, subjecting the target drone’s internal engine or electronic equipment to temperatures above 700 degrees Celsius (1292 degrees Fahrenheit).
It’s invisible and does not produce noise. Unlike traditional anti-aircraft guns that use ammunition, there’s no risk of damage from falling shells, making it easy to use even in urban areas. The current range of the developed laser weapon is about 2 to 3 kilometers (1.2 to 1.8 miles), and it is evaluated to be capable of precisely striking enemy small drones and multi-copters.
An advantage is that it can operate as long as electricity is supplied, costing just 2,000 won (about $1.50) per shot. In an evaluation test last April, it reportedly achieved a 100% hit rate, successfully firing lasers at 30 drones located 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) away. While its current output is low and primarily targets small drones, future production increases could enable it to counter aircraft and ballistic missiles.
The “Block-I” system is called the “Korean Star Wars Project,” which applies lasers to weapons. Since August 2019, a budget of 87.1 billion won (about $63 million) has been invested, with the Agency for Defense Development leading the system development and Hanwha Aerospace participating as a prototype company. In April last year, it was deemed suitable for combat. Military authorities plan to first deploy it at the building GOP in Seoul, responsible for the defense of the capital, this year.
Lee Dong Seok, director of the Guided Missile Project at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, said, “We will also proceed with developing the ‘Block-II’ system with improved output and range.”
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