S.Korea to Develop Laser-based Bomb Disposal System

South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) today announced a project to develop a laser-based bomb disposal system that can disable an explosive device without putting bomb disposal personnel in harm's way.

The project was confirmed at 6th Defense Project Planning and Management Subcommittee on Thursday, March 24. The Ministry of Strategy and Finance. , KIDA and other related organizations are expected to initiate a project feasibility study.

The Laser Bomb Disposal System will be an upgrade compared to existing treatment methods in terms of speed, mobility, and stability by being mounted on a vehicle. The system will use a laser to pierce the surface of an explosive and burn out the charge or generate a form of low level detonation.

 "This is the first project to acquire a weapon system that removes explosives using laser technology with domestic technology. When the deployment of the weapon system is completed, it is expected that the survivability of the explosives unit will be improved, as well as the efficient removal of explosives between wartime and peacetime operations.” stated Army Brigadier General Cho Hyun-ki, DAPA’s Mobility Division Director.

Laser explosives removal equipment will be developed by selecting a developer in '23 and developing it by '27, and after that, it will be deployed to the Explosives Unit of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps