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ACAB Appointed by LIG Nex1 to Develop KFX Fighter Radome Prototype

17 Februari 2012

ACAB is specialized in advanced radar dome technology (photo : Volvo Aero)

The Volvo Aero owned company, Applied Composites AB – ACAB – has been appointed by LIG Nex1, a LIG Group company in South Korea, for the development of a prototype stealth radome for the KFX aircraft programme.

ACAB is recognized as one of the leading European suppliers of advanced composite components for military applications. Among other things, ACAB is specialized in advanced radome technology, including the latest generation stealth and low-observable technology. ACAB has supported and supplied Saab for over half a century with radome technology for the Saab fighter programmes. ACAB is the supplier of the Gripen fighter radomes.

LIG Nex1 is South Korea’s number one company on military products. LIG Nex1 is working in close collaboration with advanced global companies. LIG Nex1 is developing state-of-the-art weapon systems, including radar and surveillance systems.

The radome (radar dome) is the streamlined structural part in the nose of the aircraft which protects the radar antenna from wind and weather. It is carefully designed to withstand the mechanical loads without compromising the radar performance. In addition, it increases the survivability of the aircraft due to its sophisticated stealth features.

The KFX aircraft is intended to replace South Korea’s aging F-4 Phantom II and F-5 Tiger II aircraft. The production numbers are estimated to exceed 250 aircraft. The contract includes exploratory development and production of prototypes for an undisclosed contract value. It is still too early to determine the number of people at ACAB that will be involved in development and production.

“We are very proud of and pleased with the contract from LIG Nex1 since it consolidates our position as world leader in radomes” says Torgny Stenholm, President of ACAB.

“In addition, the agreement is considered to be strategically important for ACAB as the company has plans to expand within the commercial and military aerospace segments”, he adds.

(Volvo Aero/ACAB)

European Jet Maker Likely to Backtrack on $1 bil. Pledge

09 Februari 2012

One of KFX model (image : Militaryphotos)

A European consortium of four aerospace and defense companies will likely walk away from its promise of investing 20 percent of the cost for a Korea-initiated project to develop a new multirole fighter, industry sources said Thursday.

The European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company N.V. (EADS) reportedly made the pledge as Korea hinted that financial and technology contributions would favorably affect the separate selection of a foreign vender to supply 60 advanced fighter jets to Korea for 8.29 trillion won ($7.3 billion).

According to a 2011 report by Korea National Defense University, EADS expressed its intent to invest up to 20 percent or $1 billion into the KF-X program, a fighter development program.

An industry insider also confirmed that EADS had expressed it was willing to contribute as much as 20 percent of the development cost for the KF-X project to officials of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).

“EADS’s position was that it was willing to comply with DAPA’s request for KF-X investment, but it was deemed too early to comment on the possible import of KF-X fighters from European countries,” said the source familiar with EADS’s talks with DAPA over the FX-III project.

“But now EADS will likely backtrack on the pledge as DAPA made it clear that no incentive will be given in the FX-III race to a company committed to share the financial burden of the KF-X project.”

Seoul has pursued the ambitious KF-X project since 2000 in a bid to replace its aging F-4 and F-5 fighter jets with indigenous aircraft with stealth capabilities and export potential by 2020.

Jakarta has been jointly conducting a feasibility study on the project while shouldering 20 percent of the $50 million initial costs.

Thirty-five Indonesian researchers have teamed up with 137 Korean experts for the exploratory stage, scheduled for completion with the selection of a prototype at the end of 2012.

Indonesia has pledged to invest $1 billion in the KF-X project and buy 50 KF-X fighters, but no other country has yet to follow suit.

Turkey is reportedly mulling joining the Korea-led consortium for the KF-X project, but on condition of an equal partnership with Korea.

A senior DAPA official said Seoul has rejected Ankara’s demand to allow it to have a 50 percent stake in the KF-X project along with Korea as it believes Seoul should play a dominant role.

He said DAPA could abandon the risky jet development project unless another country or a foreign company join the project and share between 20 percent and 29 percent of the development costs.

Meanwhile, an industrial source raised suspicion that Korea may have decided not to give an incentive to FX-III bidders with willingness to invest in the KF-X project as American defense companies, which he claims DAPA favors, showed no interest in making financial contributions.

EADS is competing with two U.S. defense giants, Lockheed Martin and Boeing, in the FX-III project, for which Korea is expected to announce the winner in October this year.

(Korea Times)

South Korea Unveils a New Medium-Range SAM

23 Desember 2011

Cheongung medium range SAM, can reach target at 40km range (photo : Defense Update)

South Korea unveils a new medium-range surface-to-air missile the Cheongung M-SAM

In December 2011, South Korea unveils its new new medium-range surface-to-air missile. The Cheongung missile will be deployed from 2013. In the second phase from next year until 2018, the ADD plans to turn the Cheongung into a ballistic interceptor missile, which would lay the groundwork for a Korean version of the Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC)-3.

Staff of the Agency for South Korean Defense Development demonstrate the Cheongung surface-to-air missile at the Daejeon headquarters of the Army.

South Korea Korea is the fifth country after Russia, France, Taiwan and Japan to have developed such a weapon. The U.S. is currently developing a high-tech medium-range surface-to-air missile in cooperation with Italy and Germany, under the name of MEADS (Medium Extended Air Defense Missile Systems).

The new SAM called ‘Cheongung’ (Iron Hawk) can intercept targets at altitude up to 15 km and at a range of about 40 km. LIG Nex1 plans to begin production in 2012 and according to the original schedule, begin replacing the first MIM-23 Hawk batteries beginning 2013.

Following the induction of the new Cheongung Seoul plans to offer the missile for export. Seoul estimates the market potential of such missiles at over US$2.3 billion. Apparently, the Russian Company that developed the system, Almaz Antey, thought the same as they kept the program alive after transferring the prototypes to Korea. The Russian version known as Vityaz could be ready to replace first generation S-300PS (5V55R) missiles, covering a similar intercept envelope, by the end of their service in 2015.

The South Korean Agency for Defense Development began development of the Cheongung in 2006, but started research in 2001 based on Russia's S-400 missile system. In cooperation with Russia, a Korean engineering team replaced a massive Russian radar system with a small device, which can be installed on a truck. The team also began research on a missile propulsion system based on the small Russian-made 9M96 missile. The radar is installed at the head of the missile to let it trace its own target.

(Army Recognition)

South Korea Displays New Mini-Sub Concept

01 Desember 2011

KS-550A Mini-Sub concept for RoKN (all photos : Network54)

South Korea's Agency for Defence Development (ADD) has unveiled an innovative mini-submarine concept - known as the KSS 500A - for the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN).

The 37 m-long craft is intended to form the basis for a replacement of the two surviving Dolgorae-class mini-submarines, which entered service in the early 1980s. Design work is believed to have started in 2008 and the ADD is now selecting key systems suppliers.

According to a model and accompanying data released at the Marine Week 2011 exhibition in Busan in early November, the KSS 500A has a beam of 4.5 m, surfaced displacement of 510 tons and maximum diving depth of 250 m.

Notably, there are no onboard electrical generators; all electrical power is provided instead by two banks of lithium ion batteries. While the Dolgarae-class boats require frequent snorkelling, the KSS 500A is designed to require minimal snorkelling during a typical three-week patrol.

The streamlined sail houses up to four masts for electro-optic, radar, satellite communications and electronic security measures systems, and there is a fifth - modular payload - mast for launching small unmanned aerial vehicles.

The pressure hull has four compartments: combat information centre, machinery room, special forces area and accommodation/messing. Weapons and sonars are installed in the forward section, while the integrated electric motor with coaxial flexible payload module (FPM) occupies the aft section.

Control surfaces include two bow-mounted dive planes and an X-shaped stern. A podded motor, stator and rotor propel the submarine at a cruise speed of 5-7 kt, although a sprint speed of 20 kt is possible. However, the endurance of 21 days and range of 2,000 n miles at low speeds are severely curtailed at higher speeds.

Although the boat can be operated by a crew of five, the design complement is 10 persons using a two-watch system. Up to 14 special forces personnel can also be embarked. The FPM at the stern allows the deployment of divers, swimmer delivery vehicles and unmanned underwater vehicles.

Armament comprises tubes for two heavyweight torpedoes and four lightweight torpedoes, located close to a payload interface module containing two box launchers: one for vertical-launch missiles, the other for mines. The KSS 500A is considerably larger than the Dolgorae-class boats. Built amid much secrecy, three Dolgoraes were commissioned in 1982-83 with pennant numbers 051-053. The legacy craft are about 25 m in length with a surfaced displacement of 250 tons. It is understood that five new mini-submarines are required by the RoKN, although induction timelines could not be ascertained.

(Jane's)

KF-X Vision Unveiled

27 Oktober 2011

KFX variant in Seoul Air Show 2011 (all photos : Stephen Trimble)

In a seminar today at the Seoul Air Show, South Korean government officials outlined the strategy and plans for the KF-X, a twin-engined stealth fighter with a design goal of achieving manoeuvrability, speed and range performance between a Lockheed Martin F-16 and a Boeing F-15.

South Korea wants to develop the KF-X over the next nine years, with mass production beginning after 2020. Indonesia has already joined the programme, and talks with Turkey are continuing.

If developing an all-new stealth fighter is not enough of a challenge, South Korea also intends to equip the KF-X with a set of all-new weapons, including indigenous missiles in the Raytheon AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM class, guided bombs and an anti-ship missile. South Korean officials have released a development budget estimate of about US$5 billion, which seems (wildly?) optimistic.

KF-X has previously been pictured with canards, but that concept was nowhere in today's presenations. Instead, the KF-X appears to have morphed into a more conventional fighter. It appears similar a two-engine variant of the Lockheed F-35. This is Korea's vision for the KF-X. Eurofighter presented an alternative vision of KF-X, which I will present later.

(DEWLine-FlightGlobal)

Seoul Eyes Powerplant Options for KF-X

19 Oktober 2011

EJ200 is the powerplant for the Eurofighter Typhoon (photo : Eurofighter)

Seoul is tentatively exploring engine options for its proposed Korea Fighter Experimental (KF-X) programme, with the Eurojet consortium putting forward its EJ200 powerplant.

According to industry sources at the Seoul air show, the South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration has issued requests for information to Eurojet for its EJ200 and to General Electric for its F414.

"We are offering the EJ200 as it is for KF-X, and would allow them to manufacture 60% of the engine," said Eurojet vice-president sales Paul Herrmann.

"This would involve 60% technology transfer, and help make them self-sustaining."

He added that it was up to Seoul to decide what 60% of the engine it would produce locally, adding that it seems particularly interested in full authority digital engine control technology.

The EJ200 is the powerplant for the Eurofighter Typhoon (above), a contender in South Korea's F-X III competition for 60 fighters. Herrmann stressed that the EJ200 offer for KF-X is not associated with Eurofighter's F-X III campaign. The F414 powers the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.

Though the KF-X is likely to require 50,000lb (220kN) of thrust, Seoul has yet to decide if this will be achieved with two engines of the EJ200 and F414 size, or with a single larger engine such as the Pratt & Whitney F135, which powers the Lockheed Martin F-35.

P&W has not received an RFI in relation to KF-X, but said it would be willing to explore the possibility if approached. P&W is the dominant powerplant supplier for the Republic of Korea Air Force, with its F100 engines powering the 21 Boeing F-15Ks obtained under the F-X II competition, as well as the service's fleet of Lockheed KF-16s.

The KF-X is intended as an F-16 replacement. Although Seoul has been interested in the programme for some time, it was only in July that Korea Aerospace Industries and the government signed a contract to develop the aircraft. Indonesia is also part of the programme, with the two governments opening a combined research and development centre in August.

On 14 July, Indonesia's Antara official news agency said Jakarta would participate in the programme, contributing 20% of the development costs. The two partners have agreed to produce 150 to 200 units, of which Indonesia would get 50.

Industry sources have said Washington is highly dubious about the KF-X programme. It may be wary of providing advanced technologies for an aircraft that is being co-produced with Indonesia, a country that has been subject to US arms sanctions in the past.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a US government official has also said KF-X will place a tremendous strain on South Korea's research capabilities and defence budget, resulting in a fighter less effective than others available in the international market.

(Flight Global)

Korea Awaits New Partner for $5 bil. Fighter Program

04 Agustus 2011

KFX K-200 model (image : chosun)

The door is open for another country or foreign firm to participate in Seoul’s initiative to develop a new combat aircraft with a budget of $5 billion, defense officials here said.

“Many countries, including the United Arab Emirates, have shown interest in investing in the project,” Noh Dae-lae, head of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration Commissioner, said Tuesday.

“We are planning to allow another country with the most attractive offer to join the KF-X program.

”The KF-X program refers to the multirole fighter development program that Seoul has pursued since 2000 to replace its aging F-4/5 fighter jets.

Indonesia pledged last year to invest $1 billion in the project and buy 50 KF-X fighters for allowing its researchers to participate in development.

Noh made the remarks at the kickoff ceremony of the KF-X project’s feasibility study to be jointly conducted with Jakarta, which will also shoulder 20 percent of the $50 million initial study costs.

Thirty-five Indonesian researchers will team up with 137 Korean experts for the exploration stage which is scheduled for completion with the selection of a prototype at the end of 2012.

Noh noted that he expects another KF-X partner to share up to 29 percent of the development costs and purchase some 150 new fighters in return for joining the consortium.

“The global trend is clearly moving toward joint development as the risk for the development of an advanced fighter is high despite the limited market,” he said.

Industry sources say Poland and Turkey have also expressed an interest in forging a partnership with Korea for the program.

American defense giant Lockheed Martin, which invested 13 percent in Korea’s development of T-50 supersonic trainer jets, is also apparently considering participating in the Seoul-led fighter jet development program.

“We’d be honored to be a partner in the KF-X program,” Stephen O’Bryan, a vice president of Lockheed Martin, said last month.

Lee Dae-yeorl, program director of the Combined Research and Development Center for the KF-X, said he would welcome industry participation from the world’s leading aerospace firms.

“We believe defense firms, such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing and European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS) can help us reduce the technology gap,” he said.

He said Seoul aims to develop an indigenous aircraft with limited stealth capabilities and a locally developed active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar system.

“We’ll develop a whole new fighter never seen anywhere else in the world,” Lee said.

He noted that the cost per KF-X jet is estimated at $55 million and its production aircraft is expected to be deployed from 2020.

Critics, however, say the future of the KF-X program remains uncertain as Korea plans to drop the $5 billion plan if it fails to attract foreign investment of 40 percent or above.

(Korea Times)

South Korea Receives First 737 AEW&C Peace Eye Aircraft

03 Agustus 2011

Boeing 737-700 Peace Eye AEW&C (photo : Airliners)

South Korea has received the first of four Boeing 737-700 Peace Eye airborne early warning & control (AEW&C) aircraft.

The aircraft was delivered to Gimhae air force base, 450km (250 miles) southeast of Seoul, after a flight fromBoeing's production facility in Seattle, said the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).

DAPA will conduct flight tests on the aircraft before passing it to the Republic of Korea Air Force in September.

The aircraft has already undergone mission system flight testing in the US. The remaining three aircraft are being modified by Korea Aerospace Industries at its Sacheon facility. They will be delivered in 2012.

"The 737 AEW&C gives Korea a powerful capability for airborne surveillance, communications and battle management," said Boeing. "It also provides increased security for the Korean peninsula against today's threats and threats in the future."

The 737 AEW&C features Northrop Grumman's unique approach to achieving 360° radar coverage. The multi-role electronically scanned array (MESA) radar includes two side-looking arrays, as well as a top-hat array that uses "endfire" techniques to steer the radar beam forward and aft of the aircraft.

"The so-called 'top hat' portion of the MESA radar provides a practical solution for fore and aft coverage, while maintaining the low drag profile of the dorsal array system," said Boeing. "This allows the system to be installed on the mid-size 737-700 platform, without significant impact on aircraft performance."

According to DAPA, a single Peace Eye can monitor the entire Korean peninsula. It can track up to 1,000 airborne or surface targets simultaneously, while also directing combat operations. It carries a flight crew of two and a mission crew of six to 10.

Seoul signed a $1.6 billion deal for the four aircraft in 2006. It is the second customer for the AEW&C variant of the 737-700 commercial airliner in the Asia Pacific region, after Australia.

Australia obtained four of the type under its Wedgetail programme, with initial operating capability expected in December.

Turkey has also purchased four of the aircraft under its Peace Eagle programme.

(FlightGlobal)

KAI and Eurocopter to Jointly Sell the Surion

15 Juni 2011

Surion medium lift helicopter (photo : Defense Times)

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Eurocopter have established an export company to promote export sales of the KAI-built Surion helicopter.

The joint venture, KAI-EC Surion Export Company, was established in February and has a majority stake (51%) held by KAI while the remainder is held by Eurocopter.

The organisation believes that the partnership with Eurocopter will give the aircraft the best opportunity of gaining entry into the market, which KAI says has 'high barriers to entry'.

The JV will also take advantage of the marketing infrastructure and expertise established by Eurocopter.

Using Eurocopter's market outlook, the joint venture believes it secure an export market for as many as 400 Surion helicopters. The type will be competing alongside the AW149 and the UH-60M for export customers.

The 8.7 ton Surion was designed by KAI in co-operation with Eurocopter and has been developed to replace the existing utility helicopters in the South Korean Army fleet including UH-1Hs and MD500s. The Surions will be tasked with troop assault, search and rescue, tactical lift, liaison and medical evacuation operations and other missions.

The first flight was carried out in March 2010 and the South Korean government has since given the green light for production to begin in September 2012, with the first deliveries expected in 2013.

(Shephard)

RI-Korsel Jajaki Latihan SAR Kapal Selam

09 Juni 2011

ROKS Cheung Hae Jin, kapal milik Angkatan Laut Korsel yang sering dipakai untuk SAR kapal selam (photo : Global Security)

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - TNI Angkatan Laut dan Angkatan Laut Korea Selatan sepakat menjajaki latihan bersama SAR kapal selam untuk meningkatkan profesionalisme dan ketrampilan prajurit matra laut kedua negara, demikian Juru bicara TNI Angkatan Laut Laksamana Pertama TNI Tri Prasodjo, Kamis.

"Semua bentuk kerja sama dan latihan bersama, dibahas rutin dalam forum navy to navy talk angkatan laut kedua negara, salah satu yang disepakati untuk dijajaki adalah latihan bersama SAR kapal selam," ungkapnya.

Selain latihan bersama, kedua angkatan laut juga bekerjasama dalam bidang pendidikan dan saling kunjung perwira.

Dialog antarangkatan laut kedua negara dilakukan dua hari sejak Rabu (8/6) dihadiri Asisten Operasi Angkatan Laut Korsel Laksamana Muda Kim Kyung-sik.

Sebelumnya Kyung Sik melakukan kunjungan kehormatan kepada Panglima TNI Laksamana TNI Agus Suhartono untuk memperkuat hubungan kerja sama militer kedua negara. (*)

(Antara)

South Korea Develops Vertical Launch for Submarine

03 Mei 2011

After 2018 South Korea plans to build 3,000-ton heavy attack submarines equipped with vertical launching systems that allow a variety of weapons, including long-range cruise missiles, to be deployed. (image : DSME)

Vertical launching system for attack subs developed

Korea has developed a vertical launching system (VLS) to be installed on 3,000-ton heavy attack submarines to be deployed after 2018, according to a shipbuilding industry source, Monday.

Hyundai Heavy Industries and Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering are subcontractors for the heavy attack submarines.

It is the first time that the development of a submarine VLS in Korea has been confirmed. The Agency for Defense Development (ADD) has already developed one used aboard the 7,600-ton KDX-III Aegis destroyer.

A VLS is a modern type of missile-firing system used aboard submarines and surface vessels of several navies around the world. When installed on an attack submarine, a VLS allows a greater number and variety of weapons to be deployed in comparison to using only torpedo tubes.

Following the development of the VLS for subs, top shipbuilders in Korea and the ADD are also on track to develop an indigenous horizontal tube to launch torpedoes, cruise missiles and mines, the source said.

“The development of a vertical launching system has already been completed, while the development of a horizontal launching system is still under way,” the source told The Korea Times, asking not to be identified. “Developing the horizontal launching tube requires more sophisticated technology than the VLS development.

Cheonryong long range cruise missile (photo : Chosun)

”The VLS would be used in launching long-range cruise missiles at key targets in North Korea.

The ADD has developed the 500-kilometer-range, ship-launched Cheonryong, which is a modified variant of the surface-to-surface Hyunmoo III-A ballistic missile. The missile range could be extended up to 1,000 kilometers, according to military sources.

The Cheonryong missiles are believed to have already been modified to be installed on Type-214 subs.

South Korea has successfully developed the Hyunmoo III-C surface-to-surface ballistic missile with a maximum range of 1,500 kilometers, following the deployment of the 1,000-kilometer-range Hyunmoo III-B.

With the VLS development, Korea would have an advantage in selling its submarines overseas in the future, the source added.

Currently, the South operates nine 1,200-ton, Type-209 submarines and three 1,800-ton, Type-214 submarines. They are all diesel- and electric-powered and were all built with technical cooperation from HDW of Germany.

As Germany restricts the transfer of key submarine technology, such as launching tubes, Korea would have difficulty exporting any of those locally-built submarines.

The Navy plans to deploy at least three more Type-214 submarines in the years to come.

Beginning in 2018, Seoul plans to build 3,000-ton KSS-III submarines fitted with domestically-built submarine combat systems aimed at automating target detection, tracking, threat assessment and weapons control.

The heavy attack sub will be armed with indigenous ship-to-ground cruise missiles and be capable of underwater operations for up to 50 days with an upgraded Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system.

(Korea Times)

South Korea Developing Tank Protection

29 Maret 2011

K2 main battle tank (photo : Military Today)

SEOUL, (UPI) -- South Korea is developing an active protection system to defend its K-2 tanks from rockets and missiles, the country's Ministry for Defense said.

South Korea's Agency for Defense Development recently made public the image of the APS launcher, along with a 70mm system's guided rocket at a defense science and technology exhibition in Hawaii that was organized by the U.S. Pacific Command.

K2 active protection system (image : Military Review)

South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration said the new system has been under development since 2006 with a budget of $36 million. The project is scheduled for completion this year.

The APS features a 3-D detection and tracking radar, a heat-detection and tracking system, a control computer, a launching system and counter rocket, the agency said.

A two-shot launcher developed for the South Korean Active Protection System (APS) protecting the K-2 main battle tank. (photo : ADD)

The agency said will only take 0.2 to 0.3 seconds for the system to detect and track anti-tank missiles and rockets fired at a tank and fire counter-rockets at incoming missiles.

The system's 70mm rocket has an image infrared and guided control system.

(UPI)

S. Korea to Launch Marine Aviation Unit

14 Maret 2011

MD 500 - light strike helicopter, used by the Republic of Korea Army (photo : Militaryphotos)

SEOUL - South Korea plans to create an elite Marine aviation unit equipped with scores of helicopters in a bid to bolster its forces near the tense sea border with North Korea, an official said March 13.

"We have 11 helicopter pilots to aid the Marine Corps' operations, but now we are trying to make it bigger to create a whole aviation squadron," South Korea's defense ministry spokesman said, not elaborating further.

Yonhap news agency said the unit for elite commandos will feature about 40 helicopters and begin operations in 2017 or 2018, citing a Seoul military source.

"We plan to equip our locally developed Surion helicopters with weapons to deploy them to the Marine Corps," Yonhap quoted an official of Joint Chiefs of Staff as saying.

The South Korean military is seeking to boost its number of Marines, currently at 27,000, by several thousand as part of a plan to beef up forces along its sea border with the North.

Cross-border ties collapsed after Pyongyang's alleged sinking of a Seoul warship that killed 46 sailors in March 2010 on the Yellow Sea, a scene of deadly inter-Korea naval clashes in 1999 and 2002.

Tensions were further heightened by the North's shelling of a nearby frontier island in November that killed two civilians and two Marines, and sparked brief fear of war.

Some 5,000 Marines are stationed at islands near the sea border with the North off the west coast. The military plans to deploy additional 1,200 troops to the flashpoint region later this year, Yonhap said.

(Defense News)

Indonesia to Develop Light Attack Helicopter, Military Co-op with S Korea

10 Februari 2011

In the ADEX 2009 Korea unveils light attack helicopter KAH based on KUH (photo : Koreansentry)

JAKARTA, (Xinhua) -- Indonesia's plane company PT Dirgantara Indonesia will develop a light attack helicopter and military cooperation with South Korea, a top executive said here on Thursday.
"We are in cooperation with the Indonesian Army to develop a light attack helicopter that could be used to confront separatist and smugglers," said Budi Santoso, president director of PT Dirgantara Indonesia in a parliamentary hearing.

He said that characteristic of the helicopter is different from MI35 that is designed for opened battle in which noise is not important. "The most important element of the light attack helicopter is its low noise while flying. We don't need helicopters like MI35 that its noise could be heard from a distance of 10 kilometers," Santoso said.

He also said that the Defense Ministry and its South Korean counterpart are developing a program named the Korean Fighter Program (KFP). "This is our opportunity to upgrade our skill and to grow new expertise, mainly in engineering," he said.

According to Santoso, general lifetime of a plane is about 20- 30 years.

"However, during the lifetime, we need maybe twice or three times of upgrade on weaponry and avionic system. If we have the expertise, we could upgrade it according to our needs," he said.

(Xinhua)

KAI Rolls Out First Production T/A-50

26 Januari 2011

Korea's T/A-50 light attack variant of the T-50 Golden Eagle (photo : KAI)

Korea Aerospace Industries has rolled out the first production T/A-50, the light-attack variant of the T-50 Golden Eagle advanced jet trainer.

The South Korean air force has ordered 22 T/A-50s for lead-in fighter and ground-attack training, says an industry source. These will be delivered by the end of 2012.

Virtually identical to the T-50, the T/A-50 (above) is equipped with a three-barrelled 20mm cannon with 200 rounds. It can also carry air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons and has an ITT EL-2032 mechanically scanned radar.

The T/A-50 has achieved weapons certification for the Raytheon AGM-65 Maverick (above) air-to-ground and AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, although it is not certificated to use the latest AIM-9X variant.

In 2013, following the end of T/A-50 production, KAI hopes to transition to building its developmental F/A-50, which could begin testing in 2012. Seoul has committed to buying 60 F/A-50s and could eventually order up to 150 to replace its air force's Northrop F-5Es.

(Flight Global)

RI-Korea Akan Perluas Kerjasama Industri Pertahanan

25 Januari 2011

Kerjasama industri pertahanan akan mencakup antara lain pembangunan tank, panser, kapal patroli serta pesawat tempur. (photo : Deagel)

RI- Republik Korea Akan Tingkatkan Kerjasama Industri Pertahanan

Jakarta, DMC - Wakil Menteri Pertahanan Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Jumat (21/1), menerima kunjungan kehormatan Duta Besar Republik Korea HE Kim Ho-Young, di Kantor Kementerian Pertahanan, Jakarta. Kedatangannya kali ini adalah untuk menyampaikan dua hal yaitu mengenai kunjungan utusan khusus Presiden RI Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono yang akan bertemu dengan Pemerintah Republik Korea dan persiapan mengenai konten kerjasama industri pertahanannya.

Dubes Republik Korea mengharapkan diadakannya pertemuan antara pihak Republik Korea dengan Kementerian Pertahanan RI dan TNI sebelum utusan khusus Presiden RI bertemu dengan Pemerintah Republik Korea untuk menindaklanjuti kemungkinan kerjasama ini.

Sementara itu Wamenhan Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin menjelaskan bahwa berdasarkan laporan dari Sekjen Kemhan mengenai hasil dari pertemuan antara Presiden RI dengan Presiden Korea pada akhir tahun kemarin. Informasi tersebutlah yang mendorong Kementerian Pertahanan untuk proaktif berkoordinasi dengan Kementerian Koordinator Perekonomian tentang agenda yang menjadi fokus pertemuan tersebut.

Kementerian Pertahanan sampai saat ini masih membahas hasil pertemuan kedua pimpinan negara tersebut dengan Kemenko Perekonomian mengenai pembicaraan tentang kerjasama industri pertahanan dalam pertemuan tersebut. Menhan Purnomo Yusgiantoro mengharapkan hasil pertemuan antara kedua Kepala Pemerintahan tersebut dapat direalisasikan sesegera mungkin.

Pada akhir tahun yang lalu Presiden RI Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono dan Presiden Republik Korea mengadakan pertemuan tingkat tinggi yang didalamnya membicarakan beberapa hal penting diantaranya kerjasama industri pertahanan antara kedua negara. Dan kedatangan Dubes Korsel kali ini adalah untuk mengetahui tindak lanjut upaya peningkatan kerjasama industri pertahanan kedua tersebut.

Kerjasama industri pertahanan ini antara lain pembangunan tank, panser, kapal patroli serta pesawat tempur. Yang dibicarakan oleh Presiden RI kepada Presiden Republik Korea sebenarnya sama dengan keinginan Wakil Menhan yang diungkapkan sebelumnya yaitu peningkatan kerjasama strategis di bidang industri pertahanan. Saat menerima Dubes Republik Korea, Wamenhan didampingi Kepala Badan Ranahan Kemhan Laksda TNI Susilo dan Dir Tekind Ditjen Pothan Kemhan Brigjen TNI Agus Suyarso. (DAS/SR)

(DMC)

Elisra to Supply South Korean CN-235s with EW Suites

14 Januari 2011

South Korea's CN-235 (photo : Airliners)

Elisra Electronic Systems has won a $29 million deal to supply the South Korean air force with airborne electronic warfare suites and missile warning systems for its Airbus Military CN-235 transports. The equipment will provide protection against various threats, the Israeli company says.

South Korea has an active fleet of 20 CN-235s, saysFlightglobal's MiliCAS database.

F/A-50 strike aircraft (photo : Defense Studies)

Elisra has signed similar deals with South Korea in recent years. In 2009 Seoul awarded it a $25 million contract to supply an integrated electronic warfare suite for its air force fleet of Lockheed Martin C-130H tactical transports.

In the same year the company also received a $7 million contract to provide EW equipment for four prototypes of the Korea Aerospace Industries F/A-50 strike aircraft, including an advanced radar warning receiver and chaff and flare dispensers.

Elbit Systems owns 70% of Elisra and Israel Aerospace Industries 30%.

(Flight Global)

Airborne Radar: Interception, Early Warning & Ground Surveillance Systems (2)

09 Januari 2011

Chinese Shaanxi ZDK-03, the radar can detect target to 350 km range, have max operating ceiling 10,4 km and max endurance 8 hours. (photo : china defense)

China is very interested in obtaining world-class AWACS capabilities. For the past decade, aside from the failed Phalcon negotiations, Beijing has been actively pursuing airborne radar technology, both from external and indigenous sources. In 2006 an in indigenously built AWACS prototype crashed during testing, killing some thirty of the country’s best technicians. Since then, the Chinese have developed a modern system that is also being sold to Pakistan.

Known as the Shaanxi ZDK-03 AEW&C system, it is believed to be a new variant of the Shaanxi Y8 AEW&C system produced by the Shaanxi Aircraft Company in China, and one of a total of four on order are expected to be in-country before the end of 2011. Few concrete details of the ZDK-03 are known, but the radar is believed to be highly advanced with a greater range than the Saab 2000 Erieye procured by Thailand; and is housed in a four-turboprop aircraft.

Chinese KJ-2000, the radar can detect target to 300 km range, have max operating ceiling 12,0 km and max endurance 7,7 hours. (photo : Jeffhead)

The current AEW&C technology in use with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force has grown out of the failed attempt to acquire the foreign Phalcon. Working with the original A-501 airframe from the abandoned programme, China modified and fitted it with an indigenously designed and built radar, along with another three converted IL-76MD transport aircraft. The radar is believed to be similar to the Phalcon but inferior in ability in terms of ability to track multiple targets simultaneously in low light and bad weather conditions. The radar also does not rotate; it is a three-sided electronically steered array (ESA) radar, three of which are housed inside a round radome in a triangular configuration to give 360° coverage.

The Israeli Phalcon has also seen success with the sale of the radar system to Singapore in 2007. Singapore currently uses four US E2C Hawkeye AEW aircraft for surveillance, and will be replacing these with the Phalcon radar fitted into Gulfstream 550 aircraft. Being a phased array radar, the Phalcon is able to detect electronic equipment within a radius of 400km, and updates aircraft position on operating screens ever 2-4 seconds, which is far superior to the Northrop Grumman E2C that has formed the backbone of the US AWACS for more than two decades.

Singapore’s G550 CAEW equipped with AESA radar, can detect target to 400 km range, have max operating ceiling 15,5 km and max endurance 9 hours. (photo : Airliners)

The Singapore system uses modified Gulfstream G550 business jets, and features a sophisticated mission suite. Few specific details have been revealed about the aircraft, but it is believed they will take a similar form to the G550 Conformal AEW (CAEW) that entered service with the Israeli Air Force in 2008, and has a mission endurance of more than nine hours and dual S-band radar arrays and L-band sensors giving 360° coverage. According to the Ministry of Defence, the new aircraft will enhance the creation of the RSAF’s air situation picture and its identification capability as part of the networked air defence system.

Wedgetail

Australia’s Boeing 737 Wedgetail equipped with MESA radar, can detect target to 400 km range, have max operating ceiling 12,5 km and max endurance 9 hours. (photo : Airliners)

In May this year Australia accepted the first two Wedgetail 737 AEW&C aircraft into the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The Boeing contract is part of Project Wedgetail, the RAAF’s programme to acquire an AEW&C capability to give enhanced surveillance capability to the nation’s air defences.

The contract with Boeing will see a total of six aircraft delivered to the RAAF, as well as ground support segments for mission crew training, mission support and ongoing system maintenance. The 737 AEW&C aircraft features the advanced Northrop Grumman multi-role electronically scanned array (MESA) radar with integrated identification friend-or-foe capabilities. It also features ten state-of-the-art mission crew consoles capable of tracking airborne and naval targets simultaneously, giving the RAAF an airborne battle management capability it needs to meet the defence challenges presented by a nation with land and coastal areas of such vast size.

South Korea’s Boeing 737 Peace Eye equipped with MESA radar, can detect target to 400 km range, have max operating ceiling 12,5 km and max endurance 9 hours. (photo : Airliners)

The project is the first time a Boeing 737 aircraft has been converted into an AEW&C platform, and the success of the programme has opened the door to other customers within the region. South Korea signed a contract with Boeing in 2006 for four AEW&C systems along with ground support, training and system modification support. The first aircraft will be delivered in 2011, with the remaining three being modified and fitted by Korea Aerospace Industries in country. The South Korea programme is known as the E-X737 AEW&C programme.

Elsewhere in the region, Boeing has seen success with their 767 AWACS aircraft that were sold to the Japan Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) in the late 1990s. They were acquired by Japan to carry out C2 operations and airborne surveillance for tactical and air defence forces. In 2006 US Congress was notified that of a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of four sets of Airborne Early Warning (AEW) and Command, Control and Communications (C3) mission equipment/Radar System Improvement Program (RSIP) Group A and B kits, plus spares and services in order to update the AWACS equipment on board the four 767 aircraft.

Japan’s Boeing 767 AWACS, the radar can detect target to 320 km range, have max operating ceiling 12,2 km and max endurance 9,25 hours. (photo : JASDF)

The contract for the work was signed in November 2006, and the aircraft were to receive new radar, computer, radar control maintenance panel and software upgrades to the radar mission system programmes in order to increase the radar’s sensitivity, allowing it to detect and track smaller targets with higher reliability overall. In July 2010 a further contract was signed between the JASDF and Boeing Integrated Defence Systems for mission navigation system upgrades to the four AWACS aircraft. The navigation system is based on two LN-100G inertial navigation systems supplied by Northrop Grumman.

These and other systems are vying for the attention of Asian armed forces intent on upgrading their antiquated air defence systems. For countries experiencing downward pressure on defence budgets, investing in a single platform that is able to carry out a wide spectrum of operations including early airborne warning and control, national security, border control, airborne command and control as well as disaster management, makes sense. The force multiplier effect of airborne radar platforms in this way also enables the existing assets and infrastructure to operate to their full capability, and will continue to drive interest in the market over the coming years as armed forces look to streamline and augment their aerial defences with the leading market technology.

(Asian Military Review)

Turkey May Develop Fighter Aircraft With S Korea, Indonesia

13 Desember 2010

KFX aircraft (photo : kjclub)

Keen to bolster the capabilities of its Air Force, Turkey is interested in developing a new fighter aircraft with South Korea and Indonesia, senior Turkish and South Korean officials have said.

"There have been some preliminary talks about our possible participation in the KF-X program," a senior Turkish procurement official told the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review over the weekend. "We are investigating the feasibility and possibilities of this program."

Maj. Gen. Choi Cha-kyu, director general of South Korea's aircraft program bureau at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, said in September that Ankara was seriously considering taking part in the KF-X program.

"There will be a requirement [in Turkey] to replace the older fighters with newer ones by 2020," the daily Korea Times quoted Choi as saying at the time. "Once on board, Turkey is expected to bear the same amount of development costs as Indonesia."

The KF-X is a mainly South Korean program to develop an advanced multi-role fighter for the Air Forces of South Korea and Indonesia. It originally was launched in 2001, but then postponed because of financial and technological difficulties. The program will start again next year with the consent of budget authorities.

South Korea will provide 60 percent of the KF-X development costs worth some $4.2 billion, with the rest to come from other governments or corporate partners. About 120 KF-Xs would be built initially and more than 130 aircraft would be produced additionally after the first-phase models reach operational capability.

Under a memorandum of understanding signed in mid-July, Indonesia agreed to pay 20 percent of the bill and to buy about 50 KF-X planes when mass production begins.

South Korea also is seeking to receive technology transfers from Western aerospace firms. One possible corporate partner is Sweden’s Saab.

Other options

Turkey already has selected the U.S.-led F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Lightning II as its next-generation fighter aircraft type. It plans to buy about 100 F-35 aircraft worth nearly $15 billion. Many Turkish companies are members of the nine-nation Joint Strike Fighter consortium of nine Western nations, and are producing parts for the aircraft.

Lockheed Martin, the U.S. company leading the Joint Strike Fighter program, wants Turkey to increase the number of F-35 planes it plans to buy to 120 from 100. Turkey also will receive 30 F-16 Block 50 fighters from Lockheed as a stop-gap solution until F-35 deliveries begin around 2015.

But Turkish officials have said they are open to participating in one more future international fighter aircraft program.

Turkey also is facing pressure from Italy, a close defense partner, to buy the Eurofighter Typhoon, made by a European consortium including companies from Italy, Britain, Germany and Spain.

Giovanni Bertolone, executive vice president for operations at Finmeccanica, a top Italian industrial conglomerate, in early December called on Turkey to jointly produce the next phase of the Eurofighter. Finmeccanica is the parent company of Alenia Aeronautica, one of the makers of the Eurofighter.

Bertolone said the F-35 and the Eurofighter had different functions, and that Turkey could accommodate both fighters. The Eurofighter has been designed mainly as an air-to-air fighter while the F-35 is more suitable for air-to-ground missions.

In the event Turkey decides to buy the Eurofighter, these aircraft would replace the older U.S.-made F-4E Phantoms, recently modernized by Israel.

"We're encouraging Turkey to follow the examples of Britain and Italy, which will have both aircraft," Bertolone said. "Air-to-air fight capability is important, and we think this situation will gain prominence."

Many analysts believe that the planned South Korean-led KF-X also would be suitable for air-to-air fighting.

(Hurriyet)

Production of K2 Tank to Start Soon

02 November 2010

K2 Black Panther MBT (photo : Korea Times)

The production of the homegrown K2 Black Panther main battle tank will begin soon after a one-year delay due to a problem with the tank’s “power pack” transmission system, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said Monday.

A set of field tests have shown that the domestically-built power pack, which is comprised of a 1,500-horsepower, 12-cylinder diesel engine and transmission, is now good to go, a DAPA official said.

“We’ve been informed that all the minor glitches of the K2 power pack have been taken care of and now there are no problems,” the official said. “We’ll sign a production deal with manufacturers concerned as soon as possible.” The advanced battle tank will be operational for use by the Army by the end of next year at the earliest, he said.

Originally, the production of some 390 K2 tanks was scheduled to begin early this year to replace the Army’s K1 tanks and its aging M48 Patton tanks.

Unveiled in 2007, the K2, developed by the state-funded Agency for Defense Development and Hyundai Rotem, is a major defense product to fulfill domestic needs and sales overseas. The K2 technology was exported to Turkey years ago.

The K2 carries a three-person crew supported by an auto-loading system, and a locally-developed 120-millimeter/55-caliber stabilized smoothbore gun. The fully-digitalized vehicle has an electric gun/turret driving system, automatic sensor input and power monitoring and control system.

Its 1,500-horsepower engine can power the tank to 70 kilometers per hour on paved roads and 50 kilometers off-road. It can cross rivers as deep as 4.1 meters, a considerable improvement over the K1 and K1A1, and fire as soon as it resurfaces.

(Korea Times)

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