L-SAM
The L-SAM (Long-range Surface-to-Air Missile) is a South Korean missile defense system under development. It aims to shoot down ballistic missiles from North Korea in their terminal phase. It will use a trailer-mounted S band AESA radar.[5][6]
| Long-range Surface-to-Air Missile | |
|---|---|
| Type | Long-range, mobile surface-to-air missile/anti-ballistic missile system |
| Place of origin | South Korea |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2026[1] |
| Used by | Republic of Korea Air Force |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Agency for Defense Development Hanwha[2] (Anti-Ballistic), LIG Nex1 (Anti-Aircraft) |
| Designed | 2019[3] |
| Manufacturer | Hanwha,[2] LIG Nex1 |
| Specifications | |
| Maximum firing range | Block I: 150 km (Both interceptors)[3] |
| Flight altitude | Block I: 40 km–60 km[3] Block II: 180 km[4] |
It will be an upper-tier interceptor for a layered defense, as part of the Korean Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) project, slated to be ready in the early 2020s, with the lower tier composed of Patriot PAC-3 and KM-SAM batteries.[7]
Performance levels were to be twice as superior to the Patriot and KM-SAM missiles, and the vertical launch system (VLS) is designed as a hot launch type rather than the cold launch type used in the KM-SAM.
The L-SAM system is expected to use two types of interceptors: one for aircraft and the other for ballistic missiles. The missile interceptor will be capable of intercepting missiles at altitudes between 40 and 100 km. An L-SAM battery will consist of a multifunction radar, a command-and-control (C2) center, a combat control station, and four truck-mounted launchers, two for each missile type.[3]
Its first successful test-firing occurred on 23 February 2022 to see if the interceptor could fly on an intended trajectory and fall accurately on a pre-set spot.[1]
Improvements
L-SAM 2
On 25 April 2023, the 153rd Defense Acquisition Program Promotion Committee deliberated and approved on a plan to develop a new missile defense system with a higher intercepting altitude than the existing L-SAM with a budget of 2.71 trillion won by 2035. The new missile system, named L-SAM 2, includes high-altitude interceptor missiles and glide phase interceptor (GPI) missiles, and is estimated to have an interception altitude of 180 km.[4]
See also
References
- S. Korea successfully tests L-SAM missile interceptor: sources. Yonhap News Agency. 23 February 2022.
- "Hanwha Corporation - Hanwha". Hanwha.com. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
- "South Korea tests indigenous long-range surface-to-air missile". Janes Information Services. 24 February 2022. Archived from the original on 27 February 2022.
- "제153회 방위사업추진위원회 결과". Defense Acquisition Program Administration. 25 April 2023. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
- Pike, John. "L-SAM Long-range Surface-to-Air Missile". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
- "Hanwha Techwin Shows S-Band AESA For L-SAM BMD". Aviationweek.com. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
- Joshua H. Pollack. "Ballistic Missile Defense in South Korea: Separate Systems Against a Common Threat" (PDF). Cissm.umd.edu. Retrieved 27 October 2017.