1.9 Trillion Won Invested to Develop Two Aircraft Domestically
LIG Nex1 vs. Hanwha Systems Compete in Equipment Development
The development project for the so-called "Korean-style Growler" electronic warfare aircraft will begin this month. Electronic warfare aircraft, which infiltrate enemy territory ahead of fighter jets, are considered essential equipment on the modern battlefield because they can paralyze enemy communication systems.
On July 8, a government official stated, "A public notice for the electronic warfare aircraft project, which will invest approximately 1.9 trillion won by 2034, will be released at the end of this month."
When fighter jets penetrate enemy territory, they are threatened by air defense networks, which track the jets using anti-aircraft radar. Electronic warfare aircraft enter enemy territory ahead of fighters to neutralize these radars. The electronic warfare aircraft project is divided into electronic warfare equipment and airframe development. For system integration and airframe modification or production, Korean Air and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) will take the lead, while LIG Nex1 and Hanwha Systems are expected to compete in the development of electronic warfare equipment. The military is reported to have set the required jamming range for the electronic warfare aircraft at 250 kilometers. If five to six electronic warfare aircraft are deployed as an attack formation, they could instantly destroy North Korea's four-layered air defense network around Pyongyang.
Korean Air and KAI plan to modify business jets for use as electronic warfare aircraft. Both companies have selected the latest model from Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier, the Global 6500 (G6500). The U.S. Navy's escort jammer electronic warfare aircraft is based on the F-18 fighter jet, which has a short operational range. In contrast, using a business jet allows for a longer operational range, enabling development as a stand-off jammer. The G6500 jet has a range of over 10,000 kilometers and a maximum endurance of 11 hours. The United States is also replacing its next-generation electronic warfare aircraft with the G550 business jet. The weight of the electronic warfare equipment has been reduced from 8.1 tons to 3.6 tons, significantly increasing operational capability and endurance.
The introduction of the G6500 is also expected to make airframe management easier. The Air Force is currently pursuing an airborne early warning and control aircraft acquisition project, and L3Harris, a participant in the project, has also proposed the G6500 as a candidate airframe. Introducing the same model would provide advantages in pilot training and parts procurement.
LIG Nex1 and Hanwha Systems are competing to develop the equipment to be mounted on the electronic warfare aircraft. LIG Nex1 was responsible for the new Baekdu reconnaissance aircraft project. They have developed communications intelligence (COMINT), electronic intelligence (ELINT), and even fire detection instrument intelligence (FISINT) capabilities that can determine whether a missile has actually been launched. The company has produced the ALQ-200, an airborne electronic warfare system, and has experience supplying the integrated electronic warfare system for the KF-21 fighter jet. According to the company, it possesses electronic warfare aircraft technology ranked among the top five in the world.
The military plans to produce a total of four electronic warfare aircraft through this project and deliver them to the Air Force. Two will be built as Block-1, the basic model, and the remaining two are expected to be developed as Block-2, with enhanced performance. The term "block" refers to the order of performance upgrades. However, in the electronic warfare aircraft project, the companies responsible for the airframes and the defense companies developing the electronic warfare equipment are still maneuvering before forming consortiums. The industry expects that Korean Air will partner with LIG Nex1, and KAI with Hanwha Systems.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
