Hanwha’s ‘Cheongwang’ achieves consecutive 100% interception rate—a game changer for air defense in modern warfare

[Financial News] Hanwha Systems Co., Ltd.’s Block-I laser anti-aircraft weapon, ‘Cheongwang,’ drew attention after intercepting every drone in a demonstration. Following last month’s demonstration, it again achieved a 100% interception rate, reaffirming its operational performance.
Hanwha Systems Co., Ltd. said on the 15th that it had conducted a drone interception demonstration using Cheongwang and a combat vehicle-mounted high-energy laser cannon at the Army TIGER Plus Future Warfare Integrated Combat Training Exercise, held the previous day under the direction of the Army Headquarters.
In this demonstration, Cheongwang and the vehicle-mounted laser cannon hit all three drones deployed. At last month’s Defense Drone Technology Exhibition, held at the Army’s Seungjin Training Center, Cheongwang also intercepted four drones and two UAVs in succession, achieving a 100% success rate.
Laser anti-aircraft weapons are highly efficient systems that can operate 24 hours a day using only a power supply, without ammunition resupply. They are becoming essential in modern warfare, where low-cost drones and small UAVs are even being used for direct attacks.
Cheongwang was developed by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), with Hanwha Systems Co., Ltd. participating as the prototype manufacturer. Although Israel’s Iron Beam (100 kW) and the UK’s DragonFire (50 kW) have higher output than Cheongwang (20 kW), Cheongwang is the world’s first system to be deployed operationally. With each shot costing just 2,000 won, it is expected to be a ‘game changer.’
High-power laser weapons have also been unveiled. Alongside Cheongwang, Hanwha Systems Co., Ltd. presented a combat vehicle-mounted high-energy laser cannon at the demonstration. Hanwha Systems led its development under a project managed by the Korea Research Institute for defense Technology planning and advancement (KRIT). Its components are compact and lightweight, and it uses phase-change-based cooling technology to control heat, allowing the 30 kW-class system to be mounted on a combat vehicle and operated reliably.
At last month’s Defense Drone Technology Exhibition demonstration, Hanwha Systems Co., Ltd. also showcased a 50 kW-class laser armored vehicle. This next-generation laser solution, whose output has been increased to meet overseas customers’ requirements, is scheduled to be completed next year.
Shin Ju-hun, head of Hanwha Systems Co., Ltd.’s Laser Business Center, said, “Laser weapons are a key game changer that will transform the future of air defense.” He added, “We will actively pursue the global market, leading with Cheongwang, whose operational performance has been proven, and a 50 kW laser armored vehicle with outstanding mobility and high-power interception capabilities.”
[email protected] Kim Yun-ho Reporter