Hanwa Defense Unveils Korean Vertical Launch System for Naval Missiles at MADEX show

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Hanwha Defense today unveiled its Korean Vertical Launch System (KVLS) designed for warships at the 2021 International Maritime Defense Industry Exhibition (MADEX), June 9-12 which began at port city of Busan.

Jointly developed by the state-funded Agency for Defense Development and Hanwha Defense, the KVLS is South Korean Navy’s standard vertical launch system for holding and firing different types of guided weapons, including anti-submarine, anti-air, and anti-surface missiles.

Operational with the Navy’s guided missile KDX destroyers, including the Sejong-the Great-class known as KDX-III and newer Daegu-class frigates, the KVLS features a lower radar cross-section as it is installed under the deck, compared to older launching systems fed from behind by a magazine below the main deck.

An upgraded variant of the KVLS, the KVLS-II is under development by Hanwha Defense. The new system is to grow in size and capable of launching newly- developed guided missiles. In particular, the KVLS-II is to be fitted with much more improved payload capacity and heat-resistant capability to help naval platforms conduct precision strikes from longer distances.

New Lithium Ion battery

During the naval defense show, Hanwha Defense is also displaying its lithium- ion battery to be used on the new 3,000-ton class attack submarine codenamed KSS-III Batch-2 to enter service by 2026.

Hanwha Defense is responsible for integrating the battery modules and other parts on the next-generation 3,000-ton submarine, as the lithium-ion battery is expected to help increase the underwater operational hours of the submarine twice as much as those with lead-acid batteries.

Notably, the Hanwha-built lithium-ion battery power stacks have undergone operational demonstrations for the first time in the world, even in various extreme conditions.