Click here - to select or create a menu

Naval News

DSEI Japan 2023
  • News
  • Event News
    • SNA 2023
    • Euronaval 2022
    • Indo Pacific 2022
    • Sea Air Space 2022
    • DIMDEX 2022
  • Interviews
  • Videos
  • Advertising
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Home» News»South Korea’s AESA Radar Technology to Benefit ROK Navy Programs
Ulsan-Class FFX Batch III DAPA
The latest (01/2022) design of the future Ulsan-Class FFX Batch III frigate of the ROK Navy. DAPA image

South Korea’s AESA Radar Technology to Benefit ROK Navy Programs

South Korea is on the verge of successful development of the AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar that would detect multiple targets simultaneously. It is expected that the localized AESA radar, which is under the test operation, would highly improve Korean armed forces’ detection capabilities, including the ROK Navy.

Daehan Lee 15 Apr 2022

AESA radar technology will be applied to most South Korean upcoming defense programs such as FFX Batch III, KDDX, KF-21 and L-SAM...

The AESA radar will be placed on the next Ulsan-class frigates (FFX Batch III), the first one of which will be delivered to the ROK Navy in 2024. The new radar by Hanwha Systems will improve anti-air and anti-ship operational capabilities. The Ulsan-class FFX Batch III will be 4,000 tons ships, meaning that the new FFX would be equivalent to the in-service Gwanggaeto the Great-class (also known as KDX I) destroyers in terms of firepower and defense capability.

Ulsan-class FFX Batch III Frigate Integrated Mast by Hanwha featuring four phased arrays.

In addition to the FFX, the next-generation of Korean destroyers known as KDDX will also have the AESA radar by Hanwha Systems. They will thus be able to detect and monitor up to 4,000 targets simultaneously thanks to the four phased array placed on each side of their integrated mast.

KDDX destroyer integrated mast by Hanwha featuring four phased arrays.

The Korean military and DTaQ (Defense Agency for Technology and Quality) explained that the previous destroyers used spinning radars that update target information by rotating 360 degrees for beaming. As the spinning radar had difficulties detecting inbound air threats such as fighter jets and missiles at very high speed, South Korea developed its own AESA non-rotating radar.

A key of the AESA radar are the transmitter and receiver (T/R) modules that simultaneously detects several targets at a distance far away. Small modules gathered in the AESA radar functions as separate radars that give the user 3D-based target information with distance, altitude, and bearing, even enabling missile guidance and interception or electronic warfare. Unlike the spinning radar which is vulnerable to enemy threats, the AESA radar can be installed inside the mast and easily repaired since it only requires the replacement of a single module if this one malfunctions.

KDDX I Mast scale model on Hanwha Systems booth during MADEX

Local reports added that the naval variant of L-SAM (long-range surface-to-air missile) will have the K-AESA radar, since the DAPA (Defense Acquisition Program Administration) gave a green light to the development of naval L-SAM for air defense at sea.

KF-21 AESA-radar
Hanwha Systems developed the AESA radar for the KF-21 fighter. Hanwha Systems image.

There had been domestic and overseas concerns that South Korea’s development and deployment of localized AESA radar will be challenging after the United States refused to provide Seoul with technical transfer of AESA-related knowledge, but South Korea has become the world’s 12th country that developed its own AESA radar in 2020, four years after the ADD (Agency for Defense Development) and Hanwha Systems started its development projects. Initial AESA radar development by Hanwha Systems was for South Korea’s domestic stealth fighter project known as KF-21.

AESA radar Hanwha South Korea 2022-04-15
Tags AESA radar Hanwha South Korea
Facebook Twitter Stumble linkedin Pinterest More

Authors

Posted by : Daehan Lee
Daehan Lee currently works for aerospace and defense-related projects in Seoul, also being a political, security affairs researcher writing about inter-Korean naval acquisition and development. He previously worked at the U.S. and Belgian Embassies in Seoul, the People Power Party, and election camps. Prior to his work in politics and foreign affairs, Lee served for the Republic of Korea Navy as an assistant to the Vice Admiral and a translator for Master Chief Petty Officers of the Navy, shortly working at the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Fields of interest include the Asia-Pacific security, defense acquisition, Korean politics and foreign policy.

Related Articles

South Korea unveils 2023-2027 mid-term defense plan

South Korea unveils 2023-2027 mid-term defense plan

Daehan Lee 26 Jan 2023
South Korea's Ministry of National Defense (MND) announced the 2023-2027 mid-term defense plan on December 28, 2022...
South Korea’s Hanwha Group Officially Acquires DSME

South Korea’s Hanwha Group Officially Acquires DSME

Juho Lee 19 Dec 2022
Hanwha Group officially acquired Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) on December 16th in a deal worth 2 trillion Korean won (over $ 1.5 billion).
LIG Nex1 to provide Ultra-thin Linear Sensors for Submarines

LIG Nex1 to provide Ultra-thin Linear Sensors for Submarines

Juho Lee 09 Dec 2022
LIG Nex1 has won a contract to provide “ultra-thin” linear sensors to the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Legal / Privacy Policy
About Us
Contact Us

Copyright © 2022 Naval News
All Rights Reserved