[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] The 'Korean Growler' to Pierce Pyongyang Airspace

Electronic warfare jamming range expected to exceed 250 km
Capable of neutralizing Pyongyang SA-2 and other air defense missiles

As our military embarks on the independent development of an electronic warfare aircraft, dubbed the "Korean version of the Growler," attention is focusing on its performance. An electronic warfare aircraft is a strategic weapon that uses electronic equipment and jamming devices to neutralize enemy air defense radars. The U.S. Navy has already deployed the EA-18G Growler, known as the "Wizard of the Skies." To develop the Korean version of the Growler, our military plans to invest 1.85 trillion won by 2032.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Why is an electronic warfare aircraft necessary?

During the third phase of the next-generation fighter (FX) project, our military reviewed Boeing’s F-15SE Silent Eagle and requested export approval for the U.S. Navy’s EF-18 (Growler) in preparation for electronic warfare. This is due to North Korea’s "spider web" air defense network.

The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has also assessed that North Korea’s air defense network density is among the highest in the world. North Korea is known to have established a quadruple-layered air defense system around Pyongyang to block combined South Korean-U.S. air power. The surface-to-air missiles recently possessed by North Korea include the SA-5 (Gammon, high altitude) with a maximum range of 260?300 km, the SA-3 (Goa, low to medium altitude) with a maximum range of 13?35 km, and the SA-2 (Guideline, medium to high altitude) with a maximum range of 48 km. It is estimated that there are about 40 SA-5 units, 140 SA-3 units, and 180 SA-2 units.

The SA-2, developed by the former Soviet Union, was first deployed in combat in 1957. It gained fame by shooting down the U.S. high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft U-2 during the Cold War. It was also widely used by North Vietnamese forces during the Vietnam War, earning a notorious reputation for downing numerous U.S. fighter jets. Additionally, North Korea possesses portable surface-to-air missiles such as the SA-7 (maximum range 3.7 km) and SA-16 (4.5 km). These portable missiles detect infrared emissions from targets like fighter jets and automatically track them. Due to their short-range flight, they are mainly deployed around the Pyongyang area and frontline combat units.

"Korean version of the Growler" employs a stand-off jamming method unlike the U.S.... Concerns raised over suitability for Korea’s mountainous terrain

In the development of the domestic electronic warfare aircraft, LIG Nex1 is expected to be responsible for the internal systems. LIG Nex1 previously handled the new Baekdu reconnaissance project. They developed functions including communication intelligence (COMINT), electronic intelligence (ELINT), and even flame detection capabilities within the instrument intelligence (FISINT) function, which can determine actual missile launches.

Currently, the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) prefers transport aircraft (C-130) for easier system integration, while the Air Force favors business jets for speed and altitude advantages. The U.S. military operates both types. The U.S. Navy’s EF-18 (Growler) is a fighter jet, while the U.S. Air Force’s EC-130H Compass Call is a transport aircraft. However, as the EC-130H ages, the Air Force plans to dismantle its main electronic warfare equipment and replace it with the EC-37B, based on the G550 business jet.

Once the airframe is decided at the design stage, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Korean Air are expected to compete for the contract based on the integrated system.

What about the performance of the electronic warfare aircraft?

The military appears to set a jamming range of 250 km as the required operational capability (ROC) for the electronic warfare aircraft. It is believed that deploying 5 to 6 such aircraft in an attack formation could instantly destroy North Korea’s quadruple-layered air defense network around Pyongyang.

However, there are concerns that the stand-off jamming method, which involves electronic warfare aircraft jamming enemy air defenses from a distance, may have limited effectiveness in Korea’s mountainous terrain, as the ADD plans to develop.

The jamming range of the U.S. military’s EA-18G Growler is known to be 150 km. However, the U.S. Navy has developed the next-generation jammer (NGJ) system to extend the jamming range. Developed in high-band, mid-band, and low-band systems, the jamming range is reported to be 360 km. Since Russian surface-to-air missiles like the S-300 and S-400 target stealth aircraft such as the B-2 bomber and F-35 fighter, the NGJ is recognized as an efficient strategic weapon to neutralize them. The U.S. Navy plans to introduce 135 NGJ sets for the EA-18G and equip the NGJ on main combat aircraft such as the F-35 stealth fighter and F/A-18 Super Hornet.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.