It is planned to be mass-produced starting next year and deployed to the military in the mid-to-late 2020s.
An L-SAM-II and long-range artillery interception system with a higher interception altitude is also being developed.
Domestic supersonic fighter KF-21 ‘Boramae’ achieves 1,000 test flights
◇Long-range surface-to-air guided weapon L-SAM[국방부 제공. 재판매 및 DB 금지]
A long-range surface-to-air missile (L-SAM) that can block North Korea’s ballistic missiles at high altitudes has been developed using purely domestic technology.
On the 29th, the Agency for Defense Development held an event to commemorate the completion of L-SAM development hosted by Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun at the Daejeon Government Complex.
L-SAM, for which 1.2 trillion won has been invested since 2015, corresponds to the ‘ballistic missile terminal stage upper layer defense system’. It is a weapon system that implements the multi-layered missile defense capability that the military aimed for.
After launch, a ballistic missile goes through an ascent stage, an intermediate stage in which it flies high in the outer atmosphere, and an end stage in which it re-enters the atmosphere at an altitude of 100 km or less and descends toward its target. Among the terminal stages, the upper and lower layers are usually divided based on an altitude of 40 km.
The currently deployed American Patriot (PAC-3) and domestically produced Cheongung-II (M-SAM-II) are weapons that defend against ballistic missiles in the lower terminal stage.
THAAD, deployed in Seongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, is a system that blocks the upper levels of the terminal stage, as its name means ‘terminal stage high-altitude area defense’, and is a US military asset operated by the US Forces Korea. It has a higher interception altitude than L-SAM.
L-SAM is a force that intercepts ballistic missiles at a higher altitude than Patriot and Cheongung-II, expanding the range of our military’s missile defense.
In other words, missile defense can be carried out over two layers. The concept is that L-SAM intercepts first from the upper layer, and if it fails, attempts another interception with Cheongung-II from the lower layer.
◇Composite multi-layer missile defense system[국방부 제공. 재판매 및 DB 금지]
In L-SAM, many cutting-edge technologies related to interception that only a few countries, such as the United States or Israel, have been developed and applied domestically.
In particular, it adopted the hit-to-kill method of directly striking the enemy missile using kinetic energy. It has greater accuracy and destructive power than the explosive fragment method, which intercepts fragments that explode and spread around the target, and has a higher technical difficulty.
Precise guidance is required for a direct hit interception, and the position and attitude control system (DACS) that makes this possible and the infrared imager (IIR), which detects and tracks the target’s subtle heat source, were also implemented with domestic technology.
Achievements of the development of L-SAM include the front cover that secures the IIR’s field of view and quickly separates just before interception, and the dual pulse propulsion engine that maximizes the effectiveness of direct hit interception by maximizing the kinetic energy at the moment of interception.
L-SAM is a system of the Korean Air and Missile Defense (KAMD). When an enemy missile or aircraft threat is detected by a ballistic missile early warning radar, the KAMD Operations Center (KAMDOC), which oversees missile defense operations, and the Central Air Defense Operation Control Center (MCRC) receive information. Delivered to the L-SAM battery.
The L-SAM battery consists of an operational control center, an engagement control center that receives orders from the operational control center and conducts combat, an active phased array (AESA) radar, a launcher, and guided missiles.
Guided missiles are composed of two stages, one for anti-aircraft and the other for ballistic missiles, so they can respond depending on the type of enemy aerial threat.
◇Flight stages of ballistic missiles[국방부 제공. 재판매 및 DB 금지]
The military plans to mass produce the L-SAM starting next year and deploy it to the military in the mid to late 2020s. Some say that the export prospects are bright as it was developed with proprietary technology.
Lee Kun-wan, director of the Agency for Defense Development, said, “We independently completed all technical elements of L-SAM operational control, reaffirming our ability to develop a world-class missile defense system.”
President Yoon Seok-yeol sent a congratulatory message, saying, “This is a groundbreaking advance in the Korean missile defense system that responds to North Korean nuclear and missile threats. I would like to thank all the researchers at the Agency for Defense Development, defense officials, and participating companies who overcame many difficulties and achieved success.” “I highly commend you,” he said.
Minister Kim said, “L-SAM will protect the lives and property of our people as a protector and deterrent of airspace in the future,” adding, “Even if North Korea carries out a missile provocation, it will not be able to penetrate our military’s solid defense network, and it will not be able to penetrate the solid defense network of our military. “We will pay a greater price in terms of the end of the regime than the benefits,” he said.
Following the L-SAM, the military is also developing the L-SAM-II, which has a higher interception altitude and a defense range that is 3 to 4 times wider than the L-SAM. L-SAM-II is not only a regular ballistic missile, but is also expected to have the ability to intercept missiles gliding at an altitude lower than the ballistic trajectory.
Development of other systems to strengthen KAMD is also underway, such as M-SAM-Ⅲ, which improves the interception performance and simultaneous engagement capability of Cheongung-II, and the Long Range Artillery Interception System (LAMD), which is responsible for the lowest layer of KAMD.
◇Domestic fighter KF-21[공군 제공. 재판매 및 DB 금지]
Meanwhile, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration announced that the 4th prototype of the domestically produced supersonic fighter KF-21 completed its 1,000th flight over the South Sea the previous afternoon.
As a result, the KF-21 completed half of the 2,000 sorties (number of sorties) planned for system development test flights.
KF-21 began a new history of domestically produced fighter aircraft with the first flight of the first prototype on July 19, 2022. It performed its first supersonic flight on January 17, 2023, an aerial refueling flight on March 19 of this year, and a maximum speed flight on May 2.
The DAPA said, “We are on track to complete system development and deploy it in 2026,” and added, “We will continue to verify the performance and safety of the KF-21 in the future.”
## South Korea Strengthens Missile Defenses with Domestically Developed L-SAM System: Expert Interview
**World Today News -** South Korea has taken a meaningful stride in bolstering it’s national defense capabilities with the successful advancement of the L-SAM (Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile), a domestically-produced ballistic missile interceptor capable of targeting threats at high altitudes.
To gain further insight into this crucial development, we spoke with **Dr. Kim Young-joon**, a leading expert in missile defense systems at the Korea defense & Security Forum (KDSF).
**WTN:** Doctor Kim, South Korea has long relied on US-supplied missile defense systems like THAAD.What makes the development of the L-SAM domestically so significant?
**Dr. Kim:** This signifies a substantial leap forward in South Korea’s technological self-reliance. not only does L-SAM offer additional protection against North Korea’s evolving ballistic missile program, but it also underpins the nation’s ability to independently manage its defense needs. The successful development of L-SAM puts South Korea amongst the select group of countries capable of producing advanced hit-to-kill missile interceptors.
**WTN:** L-SAM is designed to intercept ballistic missiles in the terminal phase at higher altitudes than existing systems like Patriot or Cheongung-II. Can you elaborate on the strategic implications of this capability?
**Dr. Kim:** Correct. L-SAM adds another crucial layer to South Korea’s multi-layered missile defense system. By effectively countering threats at higher altitudes,L-SAM increases the overall effectiveness of the defense network. this layered approach significantly reduces the probability of a successful enemy missile attack, providing greater security for the nation.
**WTN:** The report mentions that L-SAM incorporates cutting-edge technologies like hit-to-kill and utilizes a two-stage missile. Could you explain the meaning of these features?
**Dr. Kim:** Absolutely. The hit-to-kill method, which directly destroys the target missile through kinetic energy, offers superior accuracy and destructive power compared to conventional explosive fragmentation methods.
The two-stage missile design allows for flexibility. The first stage is optimized for targeting aircraft, while the second stage is specifically designed for intercepting ballistic missiles. This adaptability allows L-SAM to effectively counter a wider range of aerial threats.
**WTN:** The report indicates that mass production is planned for next year with deployment expected later in the decade. What impact will this new system have on the regional security landscape?
**Dr. Kim:** The deployment of L-SAM will undoubtedly contribute to regional stability. It demonstrates South Korea’s commitment to proactively addressing security challenges posed by North Korea’s ballistic missile program. The enhanced defensive capabilities signal a strong message of deterrence, encouraging diplomatic solutions and reducing the risk of escalation.
**WTN:** Dr. Kim, thank you for sharing your expertise. The development of L-SAM represents a crucial milestone for South Korea’s defense capabilities and regional security.
**Dr. Kim:** My pleasure.It’s encouraging to see South Korea making strides in developing its own advanced defense technologies. This is a positive development for the nation’s security and for promoting peace and stability in the region.
