South Korea has set a deadline for the development of active electronically scanned array radar (AESA) for use KFX fighter aircraft being developed.
As reported flightglobal Thursday, August 10, 2016, the radar will be developed by the Agency for Defense Development or the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) South Korea, with the first prototype was ready in 2020. DAPA predicted after six years of development, the new radar is ready to be installed in 2026.
The ADD will develop the radar in conjunction with Hanhwa Thales, which won a competitive tender for the project in early 2016. The main contractor for the KFX programme is Korea Aerospace Industries.
Seoul’s decision to develop the radar at home follows Washington DC’s decision not to grant Seoul an export licence for the technology in 2015.
Export licences were also denied for infrared search and track, electro-optical target tracking devices, and jammers.
South Korea is developing the KFX in conjunction with Indonesia, a 20% partner in the programme. Seoul could eventually obtain 120 examples of the aircraft, and Indonesia 80. The KFX will be powered by two General Electric F414 engines.
