The KAI LAH (Light Armed Helicopter) is a 5-ton class twin engine helicopter currently under development by Korea Aerospace Industries designed to replace the Republic of Korea Army's (ROKA) aged MD500 Defender and AH-1S attack helicopters. It can be deployed in multiple missions such as light attack, close-air support, escort, and troop transport. The LAH conducted its first flight successfully in July 2019 and KAI aims to complete the development in 2022. The LAH helicopter is armed with chin-mounted 20mm three-barreled turret gun and fitted with stub wing to carry 70mm(2.75inches) rocket system, and air-to-ground ainti-ank guided missiles. LAH also equips with nose-mounted electro-optic/infrarwd sensors with targeting device and fuselage-mounted electro warfare system including RWR, LWR, MWR, and chaff/flare dispenser. ADD (Agency for Defense Development) and Hanwha developed a new anti-tank missile, initially called the TAipers (Tank Sniper) Light Armed Helicopter Air-to-Ground Missile (LAH-AGM), as the primary weapon for the LAH starting in 2015. Guided by a dual CCD TV and imaging infrared (IIR) seeker delivering a fire-and-forget capability as well as a fire, observe, and update mode using a fiber-optic data-link, it provides an anti-armor capability up to 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) away. Work is expected to be completed by the end of 2022 with serial production to commence in 2023, coinciding with the introduction of the LAH into ROK service. Later renamed Chungum, the missile is 120 mm (4.7 in) in diameter, weighs 16 kg (35 lb), can fly at 200 m/s (720 km/h; 450 mph), and is equipped with a tandem shaped-charge warhead with impact or time delay fuses. The LAH can carry four Chungums, two on each side.
