South Korea calls this laser program the "StarWars project", inspired by the science fiction movie Star Wars - where spaceships attack each other with lasers and warriors use light sabers.
South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said on July 11 that the country's military has partnered with aerospace company Hanwha Aerospace to develop laser weapons to destroy enemy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Despite costing just 2,000 won ($1.45) per shot, the laser weapons are effective, quiet and nearly invisible.
A suspected North Korean drone is examined at the Defense Ministry in Seoul, South Korea in 2017. Photo: Yonhap
"Our country is becoming the first in the world to deploy and operate laser weapons," DAPA said, adding that the weapons will help enhance the military's response to North Korean UAVs and be a game-changer on the battlefield in the future.
At a press conference, a DAPA spokesperson explained that the laser weapon shoots down UAVs by burning out the UAV's engines or other electrical equipment with a beam of light for 10 to 20 seconds.
Last December, five North Korean drones intruded into South Korea, prompting Seoul to scramble fighter jets and attack helicopters and attempt to shoot them down. It was the first such incursion since 2017.
Countries including South Korea, China and the United Kingdom are racing to develop and deploy laser weapons, also known as directed energy weapons, according to the US non-profit research organization RAND Corporation.
The research organization said these weapons are receiving significant attention to help counter the proliferation of unmanned systems, as well as targeting missiles in flight or satellites in orbit.
Hoai Phuong (according to Reuters)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/han-quoc-sap-trien-khai-vu-khi-laser-nhu-trong-phim-chien-tranh-giua-cac-vi-sao-post303068.html
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