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ADEX 2017
Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition
17 - 22 October 2017
Seoul Airbase - Republic of Korea
 
 
ADEX 2017: Hanwha's TAipers ATGM completed Critical Design Review
 
By Nathan Gain

Hanwha's TAipers "Tank Sniper" air-to-surface guided missile completed Critical Design Review, officials from the South Korean major defense company said during ADEX 2017, being held until Oct. 22 in Seoul, South Korea.
     
TAipers Hanwha Missile at ADEX 640 002Hanwha Corp. TAipers ATGM missile scale model
     
In September 2016, Hanwha Corporation unveiled a new indigenous air-to-surface anti-tank missile system designed for the Korean Army's future Light Armed Helicopter (LAH). Development started in 2015 following a request issued by the Republic of Korea Agency for Defense Development (ADD). Hanwha , with Poongsan, Hanwha Systems, and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) acting as subcontractors. KAI is notably responsible of developing the tube launchers and the pylons.

According to Hanwha officials Air Recognition met during ADEX, the company recently achieved the missile Critical Design Review and will start assembling first prototypes next month. First deliveries are planned for 2023.

     
TAipers Hanwha Missile at ADEX 640 001Two TAipers scale models mounted on the future pylon being developped by KAI
     
Hanwha's TAipers will have an effective range of 8 km. It will features a tandem warhead and a dual-mode seeker guidance with charge-coupled device (CCD) seeker for daytime use or an imaging infrared (IIR) seeker for day and night-time use.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), the country's arms procurement agency, launched the development project in June 2015 to replace the aging 500MD and AH-1S choppers in partnership with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). The service introduction of the LAH is targeted for 2022.