ADEX 2017: Hanwha New Hybrid BIHO Gun and Missile Air Defense System.

At ADEX 2017, the International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition currently held in Seoul, South Korea, local company Hanwha Defense Systems is showcasing the new Hybrid BIHO. It is based on the existing BIHO anti-aircraft self-propelled gun system using the original 30mm twin-gun but fitted with four additional LIG MANPADS launchers.

South Korean Hybrid BIHO self-propelled air defense system at AUSA 2017, Association of United States Army Annual Meeting & Exposition in Washington D.C., United States.

South Korean Companies Doosan DST and Samsung Techwin designed this gun system to provide day/night all-weather close-in air defense against airborne threats flying at low altitude. Its development started in 1983 with the first prototype fielded in 1998. Serial production weapon systems deliveries happened between 2002 and 2007.

The standard version of the Biho is armed with two 30 mm automatic cannons. The cyclic rate of fire for a single gun is 600 rounds per minute. Each gun is provided with 300 rounds of ready to use ammunition. The Biho fires HE-FRAG rounds which can be used to destroy air targets with an effective firing range of approximately 3 km.

The 30mm twin-gun and missile air defense system 'HYBRID BIHO' was developed according a request from the South Korean army for a new mobile SHORAD (Short-Range Air Defense System). The new vehicle is based on the 30 mm self-propelled anti-aircraft defense system 'BIHO' combined with the portable surface-to-air guided missile system Chiron which can be used to destroy low altitude aerial threats.

Close-view of Chiron MANPADS mounted on each side of the turret

The 'HYBRID BIHO' can carry a total of 4 launchers of Chiron guided missiles, two on each side of the turret. The South Korean Armed Forces have successfully test-fired the new Hybrid BIHO in November 2016.

The KP-SAM Shin-Gung or Shin-Kung is a South Korean shoulder-launched surface-to-air missile manufactured by LIG Nex1. It is marketed internationally under the name of Chiron.

The Chiron, is a two-man MANPADS (MAN-Portable Air-Defense System) which can be mounted on a tripod. The 10 kilogram missile features an integral Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system, full night and adverse weather capabilities, and a two-color infrared seeker to aid in negating countermeasures. It has a 7 km maximum target range and flies at a maximum altitude of 3.5 km and maximum speed of Mach 2.1.