Asia Correspondent

Chen Chuanren

The Republic of Korea has unveiled an ambitious five-year roadmap to strengthen its defenses. In a document released on August 10, Seoul signaled its intention to increase its imagery, signal and electronic intelligence-gathering capabilities to cover the entire peninsula to achieve near-real time situation awareness. This will be achieved by using conventional spy satellites, Global Hawks and a new domestically-built medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAV to be introduced by 2025.
The country's defense ministry says it will be developing a “Korean-style Iron Dome” to protect its cities, and will be doubling its missile defense capabilities with extended-range ballistic missile warning radar and Aegis-equipped warships. Command and control mission systems are also in the development process to enable them to have eight times the target-processing capabilities.
Under the plan, numbers of Patriot PAC-3 missiles and the locally developed KM-SAM medium-altitude surface-to air-missiles will be increased, so that the defenses can intercept three times the number of targets than currently possible. The defense ministry said it wants to expand the range of threats from Scud-type missiles to smaller munitions such as 240mm or 300mm multiple-launch rockets.
In December 2019, South Korea began the development of the L-SAM by Hanwha and LIGNex1. Similar to the U.S. Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), the L-SAM is designed to intercept missiles at an altitude of 40-60 km in the terminal phase. Planned for service entry in 2024, L-SAM will also arm the future FFX Batch III frigates to provide them with anti-ballistic missile capabilities.
The document confirms that South Korea will procure a 30,000-tonne light carrier from 2021 to be equipped with STOVL aircraft. Also on the list is the development of UAV capabilities for reconnaissance and attack missions, including a stealthy jet-powered UAV listed as a “major new project”. The document also depicts the UVision Hero series and Israel Aerospace Industries' Harop loitering munitions as examples of attack UAVs, while stating&nbsp;that four domestic reconnaissance UAV contenders are being evaluated. Korean Air’s Aerospace Division unveiled its MALE UAV in 2019 with LIGNex1 SAR and Hanwha EO/IR sensors, aimed for serial production in 2021.
In the meantime, manufacturing&nbsp;of the prototype of the KF-X multirole fighter is progressing towards a roll-out slated for April 2021, and other elements of the program are beginning to crystallize. On August 7 Hanwha Systems and the Agency for Defense Development unveiled the first example of the indigenously developed AESA radar destined for the KF-X.

<figure style="margin:0;">
<div style="margin-bottom:5px;"><img alt="KF-X AESA radar" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="da3a4744-28de-4df7-a460-7bcd77b915d9" src="/sites/default/files/_a9131ef7-a125-426c-9e4b-d0ec7338043c1596781098336.jpg" width="1000" height="584" loading="lazy"></div>
<figcaption style="font-size:1.5rem;line-height:1.2;font-style:italic;">Hanwha Systems has developed the AESA radar for KF-X with assistance from a number of international companies. The radar could be scaled to equip other aircraft types as well. (Photo: Defense Acquisition Program Administration)</figcaption>
</figure>

News and information about crew, passenger, aircraft and airport security issues.

South Korea Unveils Plan to Improve Defenses

Better theater situational awareness, expanded missile defenses, armed UAVs and a light aircraft carrier are on Seoul’s shopping list.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Jennifer Leach English

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

Embraer spinoff is now targeting type certification for its four-passenger eVTOL in 2027

Passengers Tried To Board eVTOL Trial Flights Drunk and with Gun

AmyWilder

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Publicly available flight data puts some bizav operators at risk

Flight Deck Panelists Address Identity Tracking Threats

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

NaviGuard offers real-time GPS monitoring

Free Aircraft Performance Group App Combats Spoofing

Sarah Rose

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Spoofing not confined to Middle East or Ukraine

NBAA Webinar Addresses GPS Spoofing Vulnerabilities

Gordon Gilbert

News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

A piston-twin and a turboprop twin caused confusion at Dryden Regional Airport

Fueling Mix-up Caught at Canadian Airport Before Takeoff

Charles Alcock

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

More In Security

Passengers Tried To Board eVTOL Trial Flights Drunk and with Gun

Embraer spinoff is now targeting type certification for its four-passenger eVTOL in 2027

Flight Deck Panelists Address Identity Tracking Threats

Publicly available flight data puts some bizav operators at risk

Free Aircraft Performance Group App Combats Spoofing

NaviGuard offers real-time GPS monitoring

NBAA Webinar Addresses GPS Spoofing Vulnerabilities

Spoofing not confined to Middle East or Ukraine

Fueling Mix-up Caught at Canadian Airport Before Takeoff

A piston-twin and a turboprop twin caused confusion at Dryden Regional Airport

Aircraft Operators Face Complex Risks in Middle East

Regulatory guidance over airspace safety continues to be inconsistent

Operators Warned To Avoid Airspace in Israel and Lebanon

Escalating military conflict between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah increases safety risk

Senate Hearing Addresses Cybersecurity Threats

'The reality is stark,' said Senator Cantwell

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN