South Korea launches final testing phase of KF-21 radar system

The third Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) KF-21 prototype is shown equipped with the AESA radar in 2023. During its final testing phase up to 2028, the radarʼs capabilities will undergo comprehensive multimode testing. (Defense Acquisition Program Administration)

South Korea's defence development agency has launched the final testing phase of a domestically developed active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar system installed on the KF-21 ‘Boramae' fighter aircraft to verify the system's multimode performance capabilities.

The announcement came on 29 January after the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) held a meeting with the South Korean Ministry of National Defense (MND) and representatives from related organisations and companies at its Daejeon headquarters to initiate the ‘KF-21 additional armament test AESA radar development and system integration' project.

Designed to provide the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) KF-21 4.5-generation fighter with a multisensing, real-time tracking capability, the AESA system is an X-band (NATO I-/J-band) (8–12 GHz) 3D active radar with an estimated range of operation of more than 100 km.

Unlike mechanical radars, the AESA radar is a core fighter aircraft component that detects and tracks multiple targets in real time by electronically controlling transmit/receive modules without moving the antenna.

During the full-scale testing and evaluation phase which will run until December 2028, the AESA radar will be assessed for its ability to detect and track airborne and surface-borne targets, the agency said.

“Upon completion of the tests and evaluations, the KF-21 will be able to detect and track all targets in the air, on the ground, and at sea, performing multi-purpose missions in all weather conditions,” the agency added. “The project will also verify the simultaneous operation of air-to-air and air-to-ground modes.”