This Laser Defense System Can Shoot Down Drones for Less Than $2 – Here’s How
Story by Daniel Kim • 4h
In a major step toward advancing its defense capabilities, South Korea is preparing to deploy its laser-based anti-aircraft weapon, the Cheonggwang, a system capable of neutralizing small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and drones. The laser system, also known as Block-I, has shown promising results in recent tests and is poised for operational deployment by the end of 2023. This move comes amid growing concerns over North Korea’s increasing use of drones for surveillance and provocations.
The Cheonggwang uses high-energy lasers generated from fiber-optic sources to precisely disable targets. During a demonstration on July 30, 2023, a Phantom 4 drone—typically used by hobbyists—was targeted and destroyed in seconds. The laser struck the drone about 50 cm in size, causing it to catch fire and fall to the ground, marking a successful test of the system’s effectiveness at a range of 1 km.
The Cheonggwang laser system, developed by South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development (ADD), has been designed to provide an efficient, cost-effective response to small UAVs. Unlike traditional missile systems, the laser does not use conventional ammunition, eliminating concerns about collateral damage from falling ordnance. The system’s high precision and relatively low cost—around 2,000 KRW ($1.5) per shot—make it an ideal solution for defending against small, low-cost drones often used in North Korean provocations.
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