07 August 2020

South Korea unveils indigenous AESA radar prototype for KF-X fighter

by Dae Young Kim

South Korea has unveiled an indigenous active electronically scanned-array (AESA) radar prototype for use by the Republic of Korea Air Force’s (RoKAF’s) next-generation multirole fighter aircraft, which is being developed under the Korean Fighter eXperimental (KF-X) programme.

The radar, which has been under development since 2016 by South Korean company Hanwha Systems and the country’s Agency for Defense Development (ADD), was unveiled in a ceremony held on 7 August, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).

The radar will now undergo further ground performance and installation tests before being integrated with the first KF-X prototype for further testing, said South Korean officials, adding that Elta Systems – a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) – has collaborated on the programme and is assisting with the testing phase.

Very few details have emerged about the AESA radar, which officials have described as a “state-of-the-art system capable of detecting and tracking more than 1,000 targets simultaneously”.

South Korea unveiled a locally developed AESA radar prototype on 7 August for use by the country’s next-generation multirole fighter aircraft under the KF-X programme. (DAPA)

The latest developments come after South Korean aerospace and defence company Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) revealed in July that it plans to roll out the first KF-X prototype in April 2021. No further details were provided about the programme but Janes understands that the prototype is expected to conduct its first flight in 2022.

South Korea has unveiled an indigenous active electronically scanned-array (AESA) radar prototype fo...

Jane's Find unrivaled intelligence, consultancy and advertising solutions to the defence and national security sectors.