‘Jisang Laser Pyojeok Jisigi’ to be Manufactured Domestically

DAPA Signs Technology Transfer Contract Worth 86.7 Billion KRW Overseas

The ground laser target designator, which was previously purchased from overseas, will now be produced domestically. This equipment is a core weapon system that fires a laser beam to guide laser-guided bombs dropped by Air Force fighter jets to accurately strike ground targets.

On the 23rd, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration announced that it had signed a contract worth approximately 86.7 billion KRW with Hancom Lifecare Co., Ltd. to produce the ground laser target designator by transferring technology from overseas.

The ground laser target designator works by having special forces personnel, who are deployed in advance in enemy territory for precision strikes with fighter jets' laser-guided bombs, illuminate the target with the designator's laser. The laser-guided bombs launched from friendly fighter jets then receive the laser reflected from the target and are precisely guided to it. This system is useful on battlefields where it is difficult to identify targets due to weather and other factors, ensuring the survivability of fighter jets and preventing unnecessary casualties caused by target misidentification.

Until now, our military has purchased this equipment from companies such as the U.S. L-3 Communications due to a lack of technological capability. Going forward, domestic companies will receive core technology from overseas firms and produce the equipment together with 16 domestic partner companies.

Jung Kyu-heon, head of the Space Command and Communication Business Division at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, said, "Through this ground laser target designator project, we will secure the capability to identify and precisely guide targets such as ballistic missile launchers in enemy territory."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.