South Korea Picks L3Harris for New Airborne Early Warning Aircraft
South Korea’s Defense Acquisitions Program Administration (DAPA) has selected an L3Harris Global 6500 business jet-based solution as the platform for its next airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.
A total of four aircraft will be delivered by 2032, complementing South Korea’s existing fleet of four Boeing E-737 Peace Eye AEW&C aircraft, which have been in service since 2012.
The E-737 is South Korea’s variant of the E-7 Wedgetail, a platform selected by the US Air Force, NATO, and the UK, and currently in service with Turkey, South Korea, and Australia.
The E-737 is reportedly experiencing low mission availability rates, which may have contributed to South Korea’s decision to pursue a next-generation AEW&C upgrade.
New AEW&C Platform
For the new AEW&C program, South Korea has approved 3.87 trillion won ($2.82 billion), according to South Korean media reports.
The program was initiated in response to growing aerial threats from North Korea and other neighboring countries, South Korean media reported, citing the DAPA.
“Through this project, we expect to secure the ability to conduct constant aerial surveillance of enemy aerial threats in both wartime and peacetime, and to enable smooth execution of air control missions led by the Korean military,” the arms procurement agency stated.
Proposed Platform
L3Harris’ proposal involves outfitting the Bombardier platform with the EL/W-2085 radar from Israeli defense electronics company Elta.
The radar series is already deployed on AEW&C aircraft operated by Israel, Italy, and Singapore.
It features side-mounted active electronically scanned arrays, complemented by additional antennas in the nose and tail to provide 360-degree coverage.
The dual-band radar features Gallium Nitride technology for enhanced performance.
Selection Criteria
L3Harris edged out Saab’s offering, which featured the Erieye Extended Range radar on a Global 6500 platform by a narrow margin, according to the DAPA.
The selection was based on a range of evaluation metrics, including the proposed support package and the contribution to South Korea’s domestic defense industry.
“There was no significant difference in the evaluation of the performance of the equipment,” the DAPA reportedly stated.
“L3Harris received high marks in operational suitability, contribution to the domestic defense industry, and operation and maintenance expense areas.
Saab received high marks in contract terms and acquisition expense, but when the scores for each evaluation item were combined, L3Harris received the higher score.”
