Drone crash mars weapon demonstration on Armed Forces Day

During Korea's Armed Forces Day ceremony, a live demonstration of the country's domestically developed laser air-defense weapon was marred by the crash of a target drone. The mishap occurred on the runway at Gyeryongdae military headquarters complex in South Chungcheong Province, where President Lee Jae Myung, Defense Minister Kang Shin-cheol, and National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik were among the dignitaries present.

Four fiber-optic drones were meant to serve as targets, showcasing the Cheongwang laser weapon's capabilities to intercept airborne threats.

The demonstration began with the deployment of two target drones, which were expected to be engaged sequentially by the Cheongwang weapon. However, one of the drones lost balance and crashed during takeoff due to strong gusts damaging its thin fiber-optic cable, which controlled the drone instead of radio signals. The incident was captured on camera and broadcast live, demonstrating the weapon's inability to intercept the crashed drone in the first sequence.

The second sequence of the demonstration saw the Cheongwang weapon engaging only the remaining target drone.