First Domestic Test Flight Equipped with Korean-Made AESA Radar

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter]The domestic test flights for the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, known as the "eyes of the fighter jet," will begin this month. This is the first time that an AESA radar for the KF-21 will be installed on a test aircraft and flight-tested under domestic conditions.

According to Hanwha Systems on the 4th, around mid-month, the AESA radar will be mounted on a test aircraft modified from a B-737 to verify its performance in domestic flight tests.

The AESA radar is an essential device for air combat, enabling early identification of enemy aircraft and detection of ground strike targets. It is equipped with about 1,000 small transmit-receive modules on its antenna, allowing simultaneous detection and tracking of multiple targets. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration explained that this flight test is conducted to mitigate risks associated with the development of the fighter-mounted AESA radar and to optimize the development software.

Approximately 62 items will be tested over a total of 50 flights. Design verification will be conducted for detection and tracking functions and performance tests in air-to-air mode, as well as for image radar acquisition. If the tests are successful, the AESA radar will be mounted on the KF-21 by the first half of 2026, and development and operational test evaluations will proceed.

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