South Korea Unveils Cheongwang Laser Weapon Block 2, 100-kW Prototype

South Korea unveiled two new directed-energy prototypes during its 78th Armed Forces Day events on October 1: the mobile Cheongwang Block 2 on an 8×8 armored chassis and a separate 100-kW towed laser intended for counter-rocket, artillery and mortar missions. A live demonstration used the fielded 20-kW Cheongwang Block 1, which destroyed two drones after two other targets failed before entering the engagement zone because of weather and control problems. The Block 1 has served from a fixed site since late 2024, while South Korea has not disclosed the development schedule or planned entry into service for either new prototype.