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South Korea to mass produce lasers that can take out drones at $1.50 a hit (www.cnn.com)

submitted 4 months ago by MicroWave to c/world

81 comments fedilink hide all child comments

South Korea is beginning the mass production of a low-cost laser weapon that has successfully shot down small drones during testing, the country’s key arms agency said Thursday.

The laser weapon, called Block-I, “can precisely strike small unmanned aerial vehicles and multicopters at close range,” a news release from South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said.

The release did not give a cost for the weapon, but said each shot fired would only cost about $1.50.

Imagery supplied by the agency appears to show a weapon around the size of a shipping container with a laser mounted on top and what appears to be a radar or tracking device mounted on one side of the platform.

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[–] [email protected] 38 points 4 months ago (14 children)

There is no doubt that lasers will play a bigger and bigger role in combat systems, especially in a layered air defense networks.

But it's dishonest how these articles only cite the cost of electricity. It would be like citing the cost of a single shell of artillery to imply that is the only expenditure when the system is used.

Just like a Howitzer, the parts on lasers experience wear and tear, but to replace them cost a hell of a lot more than a new barrel.

Yes, in the long-term lasers will be more cost-effective than ground to air missile interceptors*, but any reporting that is clearly trying to make an argument for cost savings, should have the integrity to get figures that factor in battlefield maintenance of those systems.

*When applicable. Lasers will not remove the need for any existing systems, but will provide a cost savings by providing additional options for the air defense system's operators.

[–] Somethingcheezie 3 points 4 months ago

What about the advantages of the logistics of those “rounds”. Seems like a huge savings.

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