Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has revealed the design of its electronic warfare aircraft proposed for the 1.7775 trillion won Korean electronic warfare aircraft project being pursued by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), the company announced on Sept. 17.
The long-range electronic warfare aircraft based on domestic technology unveiled by KAI is considered an essential weapon system in modern electronic warfare. Its role is to paralyze enemy air defense radar and communication systems using electronic equipment attached to the airframe.
Previously, KAI teamed up with Hanwha Systems to submit a bid proposal for DAPA’s domestic electronic warfare aircraft development project. This project involves modifying the Canadian Bombardier G6500, a foreign mid-sized commercial aircraft, to incorporate electronic warfare mission equipment.
KAI has designed the Bombardier G6500 fuselage to perfectly integrate the characteristics necessary for electronic warfare, including aircraft output and center of gravity, cooling and power system integration, and maximization of radar and antenna performance. In collaboration with Hanwha Systems, KAI adopted a design that mounts electronic warfare equipment on both sides of the fuselage to minimize aircraft performance degradation while maximizing electronic warfare capabilities, achieving miniaturization and weight reduction of the electronic warfare system.
The side-integrated modification design proposed by KAI is on par with the U.S. Air Force’s EA-37B, which is considered the most powerful existing electronic warfare aircraft. Furthermore, KAI explained that this design unveiling symbolically signifies that the Republic of Korea has independently secured electronic warfare capabilities.
In this bid competition, the KAI-Hanwha Systems team is competing against the Korean Air-LIG Nex1 team. DAPA is expected to select the final contractor next month.
www.businesskorea.co.kr
