HYUNDAI WIA has successfully completed the first ADS hard kill test in Korea.

On July 5th, HYUNDAI WIA conducted the ADS firing test at a firing range in Chungcheonbuk-do and announced its successful completion of the test the following day. ADS is a device that neutralizes drones, frequently used in recent military operations. HYUNDAI WIA developed the ADS by adding a hard kill method of directly intercepting drones with ABM to the 'soft kill' function jamming drones to prevent them from flying.

HYUNDAI WIA conducted the shooting test focusing on the hard kill function. It demonstrated the use of optics mechanisms to identify, track, and shoot down drones detected from a distance. HYUNDAI WIA did not only shoot down drones that were captured using the soft kill method but also successfully shot down a free maneuvering drone that failed to be caught using the soft kill method.

HYUNDAI WIA developed its ADS to neutralize enemy drones in any given situation. It uses radar for long-range detection and optics mechanisms to clearly identify and track the drones. HYUNDAI WIA also developed a hard-kill method to take down drones in situations where soft-kill methods can hardly be applied. Such challenging situations and events include jamming, spoofing, which is to take control of the drone, and electromagnetic pulse (EMP). Drones can be shot down by using the Remote Control Weapon System (RCWS) and ABM that the military has already been operating.

HYUNDAI WIA has also developed the ADS to work with 40mm Non-lethal Air Burst Munition (Streamers), which can minimize damage to civilians. Streamers contain dozens of plastic straps, which explode upon interception and bring down the drone by winding plastic straps around to rotor. In the future, HYUNDAI WIA plans to use 40mm Lethal Air Burst Munition (Steel Balls) to counter fixed-wing drones.

HYUNDAI WIA is also developing a vehicle-type ADS to shoot down fast-moving drones in a timely manner. HYUNDAI WIA plans to unveil the vehicle-type ADS at Seoul ADEX 2023, the largest defense business exhibition, held at the Seoul Aiport in October.

"We plan to provide optimal solutions in response to rapidly evolving drone attack technology. We will make further efforts to contribute to the development of the defense industry and technology in Korea to minimize threats from drones in national facilities and battle zones,” said an official from HYUNDAI WIA.