Hanwha System has ventured into the long-range air-to-air missile market by securing the prototype development project for a seeker, known as the 'eye' of guided munitions. The seeker is a core sensor that is attached to guided munitions to search for and aim at targets. The seeker is also used in medium- and long-range surface-to-air guided munitions. Previously, the seekers attached to the medium-range surface-to-air missile Cheongung and the Long-range Surface-to-Air Missile (L-SAM) were developed by LIG Nex1.
According to the defense industry on the 25th, Hanwha System was selected as the preferred bidder for the seeker prototype production project announced by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) in mid-January. It is reported that contract negotiations are currently underway. If finalized, Hanwha System will produce the products that will be attached to the next-generation fighter KF-21's long-range air-to-air guided munitions. The project size is approximately 5.5 billion won, which may change during the negotiation process.
This prototype is expected to be created as an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) type, unlike existing seekers. Once the missile is launched, the AESA radar attached to the aircraft will guide it until it is close to the target, where the AESA-type seeker will aim and strike the target. This is the first development of this type of seeker in the country.
The AESA radar is equipped with numerous small radar transceiver modules that can send waves in desired directions. It can process information even in supersonic fighters, enabling target detection over a wider area than existing radars.
The seeker has been regarded as a core business area for LIG Nex1 for the past 20 years. The seekers deployed on the Cheongung, L-SAM, and surface-to-sea guided munitions have all been products developed by LIG Nex1. The seeker on the Cheonggeom, which is mounted on a light armed helicopter, is also a product of LIG Nex1.
Hanwha System has developed Semi Active Laser (SAL) seekers but has yet to see a case where such seekers were integrated into specific weapon systems and brought to operational status.
As the prototype development of the components begins, there are signs that Korea is also gearing up for the development of a Korean long-range air-to-air guided missile. Korea's push into air-to-air guided munitions development aims to increase the domestic production rate of aircraft. Next year, the KF-21, which will begin mass production, will be equipped with the European-made Meteor air-to-air guided missile. Once domestic products are completed, they are expected to replace the Meteor. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration is establishing a basic plan for the development of long-range air-to-air guided munitions and is expected to select a system contractor by the second half of next year.
Hanwha System, a company that specializes in radar, is expanding its business areas based on technology secured over the years. Hanwha System has completed the development of AESA radars for the KF-21, multifunctional phased array radars (MFR), and the MFR radar system for the next-generation Korean destroyer. Building on this technology, it is expected to enter the engagement control system (ECS) market, known as the brain of air defense systems. LIG Nex1 has also entered the MFR radar market.
Each company is expanding its territory to secure orders overseas based on domestic order records.