Hanwha Aerospace to develop an anti-aircraft missile for extra-atmospheric interception

South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace will develop a highly maneuverable air defense missile for the L-SAM-II advanced air defense system.

The company announced this in its press release.

Hanwha Aerospace has signed a contract for the research and development of the interceptor missile with the Korean Defense Research Agency, which covers an investment of $144 million.

The project covers the integration of the missile control system, technology validation, and launchers. The development is scheduled to be completed by 2028.

The company’s key technologies in the project will be the missile’s guidance and attitude control system (DACS) and rocket engine.

The company notes that the DACS uses 10 adjustable thrusters that will ensure accurate guidance of the interceptor and the implementation of hit-to-kill intercepts, i.e., a direct hit on the target. This technology is available only in a few countries, including the United States and South Korea.

The future missile should provide the upper echelon of multi-level missile defense as part of the system, intercepting missiles outside the stratosphere, above 50 kilometers. Thus, it will complement the medium-range L-SAM system developed in 2024.

Hanwha Aerospace emphasized that the rocket engine should “expand the air defense zone by 3~4 times” compared to its predecessor and ensure that the interceptor can reach altitudes comparable to the US THAAD system. That is, this refers to a range of over 150 kilometers and an interception altitude of at least 40-100 kilometers.

Earlier, it was also reported that the promising L-SAM II interceptor will have a gliding-stage interceptor. Presumably, this refers to the principle of operation of the main part of the missile, which, after separation from the launch accelerator, will fly in the upper atmosphere or beyond, maneuvering at high speed towards the target.

This technology is said to provide an effective countermeasure to some of North Korea’s most advanced missile systems, including hypersonic weapons and intercontinental ballistic missiles.

The project of the South Korean long-range air defense system L-SAM II was initially launched by the South Korean Defense Acquisition Agency (DAPA) this January.

The program is expected to receive an investment of about $389 million by 2028. It will be led by the subordinate Defense Development Agency (ADD), involving about 19 South Korean companies.

A similar hypersonic missile interceptor project, the Glide Phase Interceptor, is also being developed by Japan in partnership with the United States.