South Korean precision rockets impress at RIMPAC

The US Navy (USN) has used the multilateral Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024 exercise to test the performance of South Korean-made Poniard rockets from a Common Unmanned Surface Vehicle (CUSV), the service announced on 22 July.

The USN said the test, which was conducted on 12 July, is part of its efforts to continually enhance and expand its maritime capabilities and operational flexibility via security cooperation and innovation with allies and partners.

The Textron Systems CUSV reportedly fired multiple Poniard 2.75 inch rockets, which are also known as Low-Cost Guided Imaging Rockets (LOGIR) and jointly developed by the South Korean Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and defence prime LIG Nex1.

The USN noted that the live-fire demonstration was the culminating event of an ongoing Foreign Comparative Test (FCT) programme being conducted under the authority of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD R&E).

“The successful live fire demonstration from the CUSV showcases our ability to rapidly deploy and use low-cost guided munitions from unmanned platforms,” said Captain Matthew Lehmann, program manager of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Mission Modules Office. “This capability enhances our operational reach and effectiveness, ensuring the Navy remains a dominant force in maritime operations.”

At an earlier test conducted in Florida in December 2023, the CUSV also successfully executed multiple fast inshore attack craft missions against several targets over five different scenarios, including engaging multiple surface targets in a single salvo using Poniard rockets and achieving a remarkable 10 consecutive hits.

The Poniard system is also in use by the Republic of Korea Marine Corps (RoKMC) as part of a mobile coastal defence system to counter North Korean fast inshore attack crafts and landing crafts.

by Jr Ng