KAI reveals design of proposed electronic warfare aircraft

KAI-Hanwha Systems have proposed a stand-off jammer aircraft based on the Global 6500 airframe for South Korea's Block-I electronic warfare programme. (KAI)

With competition heating up for South Korea's Block-I electronic warfare/stand-off jammer (EW/SOJ) aircraft programme, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has unveiled its proposal for the project, which is based on the Bombardier Global 6500 airframe.

Officially known in South Korea as the ‘Block-I Electronic Warfare System Development Project', the programme will provide the Republic of Korea (RoK) Air Force (RoKAF) with an EW/SOJ aircraft with capabilities similar to the US Air Force's (USAF's) new EA-37B ‘Compass Call' aircraft.

The country's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has been evaluating bids for the project, South Korean media has reported. KAI is participating in the project in a partnership with Hanwha Systems. A competing bid is from a consortium comprising Korean Air and LIG Nex1, which has proposed a platform based on the Gulfstream G550.

KAI's proposed design was unveiled at the aT Center in Seoul on 17 September, the company said on 25 September. The event was hosted by the Information and Electronic Research Society of the Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science.

DAPA approved the master plan for the development of Block-I aircraft in April 2025. Approximately KRW1.7775 trillion (USD1.2 billion) will be invested in the programme by 2034, DAPA said.

The winning bidders will be required to provide the RoKAF with four aircraft capable of “paralysing enemy air-defence networks and wireless command and communication systems in times of crisis”, DAPA added.