LIG Nex1 Co., a prominent South Korean defense manufacturer, announced on Monday that its Poniard guided rocket successfully passed the US Department of Defense’s final performance test under the Foreign Comparative Testing (FCT) program. This milestone significantly enhances the prospects for the rocket’s entry into the US guided weapons market.
During the rigorous testing conducted in Hawaiian waters, the Poniard system demonstrated its precision by hitting all six designated targets in a real-world scenario. This achievement marks a historic moment for LIG Nex1, as it becomes the first South Korean guided rocket system to pass the US performance test.
The Poniard, also known as “Bigung,” is designed for deployment on small unmanned surface vehicles and was initially developed to counter North Korean threats. Since its deployment along the Korean peninsula’s front lines in 2016, the Bigung system has supported the South Korean Marine Corps with its accurate targeting capabilities.
The FCT program, aimed at integrating advanced military technologies from US allies into American military projects, selected Bigung as a candidate in 2019. Installed on an unmanned surface vehicle developed by Textron Inc., the guided rocket maintained a flawless performance record, culminating in last week’s successful test.
LIG Nex1 anticipates that this accomplishment will pave the way for international exports of the Bigung system. However, securing orders from the US will require addressing specific requirements and budget considerations set by the US Navy, alongside contract verification processes.
Additionally, LIG Nex1 is in advanced negotiations with a Middle Eastern country to develop a mid-sized unmanned reconnaissance surface vehicle, “Haegeom.” This vehicle, capable of carrying various weapon systems including the Bigung, is tailored to meet the specific needs of the prospective client.
