S. Korea develops guided missile targeting N. Korea's underground artillery bases

South Korea has developed a short-range ballistic missile aimed at destroying underground artillery bases in North Korea, a lawmaker of the parliamentary defense committee said Tuesday.

   The Joint Chiefs of Staff briefed committee members in a closed-door meeting Monday that the military has succeeded in developing the guided missile with a range of 100 kilometers and successfully conducted test-firing in May, according to a lawmaker who attended the briefing.

   The missile is designed to be fired from a multiple launch rocket system and uses a ground-based navigation system, which is resistant to GPS (global positioning system) jamming signals, to fly to targets.

   "The JCS briefed that it has succeeded in developing a guided-missile designed to destroy underground artillery bases and plans to enter into mass production," the lawmaker told Yonhap News by phone.

   According to another committee member, the JCS reported the missile's guiding system needs improvement, but other core technologies, such as the capabilities to penetrate underground bunkers and locate tunnel entrances, have been completed.

Korea, US near deal on ballistic missile range: source

The source said Seoul and Washington are also seeking the best timing to announce the results of their sensitive missile talks.

Korea is banned from developing ballistic missiles with a range of more than 300 kilometers (186 miles) and a payload heavier than 500 kg (1,102 pounds) under a 2001 deal with the U.S.

Seoul has been seeking to extend the range of its missiles to at least 800 kilometers in order to cover all of North Korea, which is armed with missiles of various ranges.

In its final months in power, South Korea's Lee Myung-bak administration apparently believes that a deal on longer-range missiles will be one of its key diplomatic and political achievements to help broaden support from the ruling camp's conservative base.

The U.S. has been tepid, however, citing concerns over a negative impact on its nonproliferation efforts.

Accuracy of South Korean precision-guided missiles unreliable

The accuracy rate of the South Korean military's precision-guided weapons is highly unpredictable due to a lack of live-fire drills, with some munitions falling short of standards, military data showed Sunday.

According to a report submitted to parliament by the Army, Navy and Air Force, the accuracy rate of precision-guided munitions ranged from 33 percent to 100 percent in 2011.

The Air Force's air-to-surface missiles, the AGM-142, recorded an accuracy rate of only 33 percent, while the AGM-84H air-to-surface missiles installed on the top-of-the-line F-15K fighters had an accuracy rate of 50 percent, the report showed.

The AIM-210 air-to-air missiles also had an accuracy rate of 50 percent, with the GBU-24 air-to-ground guided missiles, nicknamed bunker busters, recorded 85 percent.

In face-saving results, however, precision guided GBU-31 munitions installed on F-15Ks and KF-16s, as well as infrared guided air-to-air AIM-9X missiles and middle-distance air-to-ground guided AGM-65G missiles recorded perfect accuracy rates, the report noted.

South Korean K11 Dual- Caliber Air-Burst Assault Rifle

        South Korean soldier carrying a K11 Dual- Caliber Air-Burst assault rifle during an exercise.

K11 Dual- Caliber Air-Burst assault rifle system can fire highly lethal 5.56 mm rounds and 20 mm high explosive air bursting rounds.

S. Korea eyes Iron Dome defense system

South Korea is hoping to become Israel's first overseas client for the Iron Dome missile defense system, IsraelDefense has learned.
Seoul is said to be exploring the system's ability to meet the threat posed by Pyongyang's shells, as well possibly deploying such batteries near sensitive facilities in the South Korean capital. 
The deal depends on the possible adaptation of the system to the threat North Korean poses for its southern neighbor, and its Israeli procurement plans.  
As previously reported by IsraelDefense, Seoul has offered the Defense Ministry to acquire new ships manufactured by Hyundai Heavy Industries for the INF; and even had several shipyard delegates visit Israel and present an official proposal. The budgets for the project have yet to be approves, but negotiations are ongoing.
South Korea hopes that the IDF's new perennial plan will facilitate the negotiations further. Seoul's lose in a bid to provide the IAF with advance training aircrafts was a bitter disappointment for South Korea, but that has not affected the naval negotiations.

K1 ARV Armored Recovery Vehicle

                            

K1 ARV Armored Recovery Vehicle

Hyundai Rotem - South Korea

The K1 ARV is operated by crew of four and equipped with the latest recovery equipment. Its advanced crane, winch and dozer systems allow it to perform damaged vehicle recovery missions, and to provide maintenance service for armored vehicles.

The K1 ARV uses common components of the K1 MBT to the maximum extent which provides for effective maintenance and logistics support.

Specifications

Crew: 4 (commander, mechanic driver, operator)
Combat weight: 51.100 kg
Length: 9.0 m
Width: 3.6 m
Height: 2.7 m
Ground clearance: 0.46 m

Armament

Commander: 1x 12.7 mm machine gun
Smoke grenade launcher: 6x2

Mobility

Maximum speed on road: 65 km/h
Maximum speed on cross country: 40 km/h
Maximum road range: 600 km

K2 Korean new Main Battle Tank

K2 Main Battle Tank (MBT)
Hyundai Rotem - Korea South

The K2 (Korean new Main Battle Tank) designed to lead the future combat environments is the indigenous Korean model that has world class mobility, fire power and survivability.

It has truly incorporated the latest technology and excellent function such as the digital battle management system connected with the C4I system.

Specifications

Crew: 3
Combat weight: 55.000 kg
Length: 10.8 m
Width: 3.6 m
Height: 2.4 m
Ground clearance: 0.45 m (variable: 0.15 to 0.55)
Maximum road speed: 70 km/h
Maximum cross country speed: 50 km/h
Gradient: 60%
Side slope: 30%
Vertical obstacle: 1 m
Trench: 2.74 m
Fording: 4.1 m
Engine: 1500 hp, diesel
Transmission: fully automatic, forward 5, reverse 3
Power weight ratio: 27.3 hp/t
Suspension: all ISU (in-arm suspension unit)

Turkey delivers warfare training system to S Korea

SEOUL - Havelsan, a major Turkish simulator maker, built and delivered South Korea’s first Electronic Warfare Test and Training Range (EWTTR) system at a military base in the country on June 21, a senior Turkish procurement official who attended the ceremony said.
 
The contract, signed in April 2009, called for the completion of the $101 million deal within 36 months and was concluded on time.
 
The system produces simulations of air threats to South Korea, including the Soviet SA-3, SA-6, SA-8 and GD missiles and the Chinese Radtec radar systems, which the country is threatened with from its main enemy North Korea.
 
The general design and architecture of the system, the command and control and the threat instrumentation were built by Havelsan and the threat environment was constructed by other subcontractors in the project.
 
Features
 
The EWTTR features various fully instrumented and integrated actual weapons systems, various threat emitter simulators, entirely modular structures, artillery and missile simulation, various post-flight evaluation reports and continuous development capability based on needs and requirements. All weapon systems in the EWTTR offer real-time data collection, data recording and visualization in a 3-D environment.
 
Havelsan has been making similar defense systems for the needs of the Turkish military and has signed a contract to build an EWTTR system for Pakistan.
 
Leading Turkish and Korean officials took part in the system delivery ceremony June 21.
 
This system, built by Havelsan for South Korea, is one of the largest defense contracts of the company and Turkey.

South Korea seeks sensor-fused bombs

South Korea is seeking the purchase of hundreds of sensor-fused bombs as well as training missiles through the Foreign Military Sale program.
The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, in its notification to Congress, said the potential sale is worth an estimated $325 million.
"The Republic of Korea intends to use these CBU-105D/B Sensor Fused Weapons to modernize its armed forces and enhance its capability to defeat a wide range of enemy defenses including fortifications, armored vehicles, and maritime threats," the agency said. "Additionally, the munition's precision and low failure rate will reduce incidents of fratricide and increase overall effectiveness."
The proposed sale to South Korea would include 367 CBU-105D/B Wind Corrected Munition Dispenser Sensor Fused Weapons; 28 Captive Air Training Missiles; seven Dummy Air Training Missiles; and 18 spare tails kits.

Also included would be communication equipment, electronic warfare systems, support equipment, spare engine containers, spare and repair parts, tools and test equipment, technical data and publications, personnel training and training equipment.
The agency noted that employment of the CBU-105D/B Sensor Fused Weapon won't result in more than 1 percent unexploded ordnance across the range of intended operational environments.
"The agreement applicable to the transfer of the CBU-105D/B and the CBU-105D/B integration test assets will contain a statement by the government of the Republic of Korea that the cluster munitions and cluster munitions technology will be used only against clearly defined military targets and will not be used where civilians are known to be present or in areas normally inhabited by civilians," the agency said.

Secret weapons of South Korea - South Korean special forces

South Korea special forces training

Cruise missiles in the Asia-Pacific region

Byline: Guy Martin / Johannesburg
Over a dozen Asian nations have cruise missiles in their inventories and several of them - notably China, India, Taiwan and Pakistan - have indigenous production capabilities. Although many nations possess anti-ship cruise missiles similar to the US Harpoon, a growing number are fielding advanced land attack systems.
Cruise missiles give countries political and military influence disproportionate to their size. Indeed, cruise missiles are no longer the domain of the great powers and the proliferation of them is something many analysts consider to be more of a concern than the proliferation of ballistic missiles, due to their affordability, relative ease of use, availability and accuracy. Cruise missiles require less maintenance and operator training than aircraft and are comparatively cheap and reliable. Because of their relatively small size, they can be launched from a wide variety of platforms – even shipping containers. It is therefore not surprising that the number of cruise missiles in the Asia-Pacific region is on the rise. Proliferation is being hastened by the regional tensions between India and Pakistan, China and Taiwan and North and South Korea.

India

India has long been a client for Soviet weapon systems and has several Russian-made cruise missiles in its inventory, such as the Kh-35 Uran/3M-24 (SS-N-25 Switchblade), Kh-31 (AS-17 Krypton) and 3M-54 Club (SS-N-27 Sizzler). India has also partnered with Russia to jointly develop and produce the export version of the SS-N-26 (3M55 Oniks/Yakhont), resulting in the PJ-10 or Brahmos. In 1998 Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya and India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) created the Brahmos Aerospace joint venture to develop the weapon.
Brahmos is launched with a rocket engine and is then powered by a ramjet, giving it a top speed of Mach 2.8. The 3.9 ton, 8.4 metre long missile can fly as low as 10 metres above the surface and is armed with a 200 kg warhead for the ship/land-based variant and a 300 kg warhead for the air-launched version. Brahmos has a range of 290 km, which was imposed to comply with Missile Technology Control Regime restrictions, to which Russia is a signatory.
Brahmos was first test fired in June 2001. India is busy trialling improved versions of the missile with better guidance systems and software, and recently fired a steep dive Block III version (for use in mountainous terrain) from a transporter erector launcher at the end of March. The air- and submarine-launched versions of the missile are in development, with an underwater launch scheduled for later this year.
The Indian Navy inducted the system in 2005 aboard the INS Rajput, while the Army introduced the Block I missile in June 2007. Brahmos is now fully operational with two regiments of the Indian Army, while another regiment will soon accept the weapon for deployment along the border with China in Arunachal Pradesh. India has plans to install Brahmos on a number of platforms, including Rajput destroyers, Kolkata destroyers, Shivalik frigates, Talwar frigates, Kilo submarines, Il-38SD and Tu-142M maritime patrol aircraft and Su-30MKI fighters. India is expected to receive around a thousand Brahmos missiles over the next decade while another thousand will be exported.
Russia and India are working on a follow-on to the Brahmos. The Brahmos 2 will be able to fly faster than Mach 5, making it the fastest cruise missile in the world. It will be very similar in size and shape to the first generation and is intended to be compatible with those launchers. It is estimated that it will only be around five years before the missile is produced, when it will arm India’s future destroyers and frigates.
For more than five years the DRDO has been developing the Nirbhay long range cruise missile, which will be available in ground-, submarine- and air-launched versions and carry a payload of around 450 kg. Launch is via a rocket, with a turbojet providing subsonic delivery to the target. Range of the INS/GPS-guided weapon is estimated to be around 800-1 000 km. Nirbhay will complement the shorter range Brahmos. Testing is expected to commence early this year.

Pakistan

Across the border, Pakistan has, with Chinese help, obtained a stockpile of nuclear-capable Hatf-7/Babur land-attack cruise missiles, which were developed in response to events in India, and assisted by the recovery of two nearly intact Tomahawks in southern Pakistan in 1998. Work began in the 1990s and serial production commenced in October 2005.
Launched by a solid fuel rocket booster, the Babur is powered by a turbojet engine giving a speed of Mach .8. Guidance is via a combination of INS/terrain contour matching and GPS. The weapon can be launched from land, sea or submarines. Strike range is 500-700 km.
Pakistan’s National Engineering and Scientific Commission (NESCOM) has also developed the Ra’ad/Hatf 8 air-launched cruise missile. It is not an air-launched version of Babur but a new design capable of carrying nuclear or conventional warheads. The first announced test launch took place in August 2007 aboard a Mirage IIIEA, with several test firings taking place over the next three years. Range is estimated to be around 350 km, against land and ship targets. Guidance is believed to be via GPS and infrared using terrain matching techniques.

China

China is a big cruise missile user - its preoccupation with such weapons reflecting its earlier lack of aircraft capable of penetrating enemy air defences. It has prioritised land-based cruise and ballistic missile programmes and is expanding its stocks, developing dozens of models for both domestic use and export.
In 1985 China tested the X-600 turbojet powered cruise missile, which evolved into the turbofan-powered Hong Niao-1 (HN-1), development of which began in 1988. This later evolved into the longer-range (1 500 km) HN-2, which was believed to have been tested in 1995 or 1997. The Hong Niao-3 (HN-3) is thought to be a stealthier, more accurate HN-2 model with a range of 2 500 km. It was successfully tested in August 2004 and later entered service with the People’s Liberation Army. China is working on the Hong Niao-2000 (HN-2000) next generation cruise missile, apparently equipped with advanced navigation technologies for pinpoint accuracy (1-3 metres). The missile will feature stealth technologies, a supersonic terminal flight phase and a range of several thousand kilometres.
The DongHai 10 (DH-10)/ChangJian-10 (CJ-10) land attack cruise missile made its public debut in October 2009. Developed by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), it is a conventional or nuclear land attack cruise missile with integrated inertial navigation system, GPS and terrain contour and scene mapping guidance. Range may be around 4 000 km. It is believed that several hundred have been deployed, but very little is known about this important weapon system.
China has a long history of local cruise missile development, particularly with regard to anti-ship weapons. In 1959 the Soviet Union supplied China with P-15/SS-N-2 Styx missiles, which were manufactured under license as the SY-1/CSS-N-1 Scrubbrush. In the 1960s China developed the missile into the Hai Ying-1 (HY-1/CSSC-2 Silkworm/CSS-N-2 Safflower) and later the improved HY-2/C-201/CSSC-3 Seersucker. From this family emerged the turbojet-powered HY-4/CSSC-7 Sadsack and air-launched YJ-6/C-601/CAS-1 Kraken. The YJ-61/C-611 is an upgraded, extended range version, which entered service in 1990. China also produced the HY-3/C-301/CSSC-6 Sawhorse and YJ-16/C-101/CSSC-5 Saples missiles. The latter had, by 2005 been replaced by the C-801 and C-802.
China developed the YJ-6 into the KD-63 (Kong Di-63)/YJ-63 air-launched cruise missile, which emerged into open view in 2005. It was most likely the first indigenous long-range airborne standoff weapon to be fielded by the People’s Liberation Army Air Force and incorporated systems such as electro-optical seeker and datalink.
The C-801/C-802 series of missiles, developed in the 1980s, are some of the most important in China’s anti-ship cruise missile arsenal. The YJ-1/YJ-8/C-801 was approved for service in 1987 as a surface-launched anti-ship missile (CSS-N-4 Sardine). The subsonic missile has a range of 45 km while the YJ-81 version has a range of 80 km.
The anti-ship YJ-2/YJ-82 (C-802)/CSSC-8/CSS-N-8 Saccade was first seen in 1989 and is based on the YJ-1/C-801 but replaced the solid propellant rocket with a turbojet. Believed to have entered service in 1994, the YJ-2 has a 165 kg warhead and a range of 130 km. Improved versions are the YJ-21 (180 km range) and YJ-22 (400 km range). The recently unveiled C-802AKG air-launched weapon has a range of 220-250 km.
The YJ-83 (C-803) is a more modern supersonic version of the YJ-82, apparently having a range of 150-250 km. It can be launched from the air, ships and submarine torpedo tubes. JH-7 aircraft equipped with the YJ-83 provides China with a power-projection capability of more than 1 900 km – more than enough to cross the Taiwan Strait.
The KongDi-88 (KD-88) air-launched land attack cruise missile was developed from the C-802 family and unveiled in 2006 under the export designation C-802KD. Powered by a turbojet engine, the missile can deliver a 164 kg warhead at Mach .9 over a distance of around 180-200 km.
Some of China’s other cruise missiles include the C-701, C-704, C-705 and turbojet-powered YJ-62 (C-602). This has a reported range of 280 km, a cruise altitude of 30 m and a 300 kg warhead. It debuted in public in 2006 and, although an anti-ship missile, has a land attack capability as well.
In addition to developing its own weapons, China has a number of Russian cruise missiles in service, including the 600 km range Kh-65SE and Kh-41 Moskit (SS-N-22 Sunburn) supersonic sea-skimming anti-ship cruise missile, which has a range of 250 km. The Moskits were procured together with the two Sovremenny destroyers purchased from Russia. In addition, the 3M-54 Club (SS-N-27 Sizzler) is placed on China’s Kilo-class submarines. Ukraine apparently exported 3 000 km range nuclear capable Kh-55 (AS-15 Kent) missiles to China.

Taiwan

Taiwan faces what is probably the most severe land attack cruise missile threat of any country, with hundreds of Chinese cruise weapons pointed at it. For its part, Taiwan possesses the Wan Chien air-launched conventional land attack cruise missile, which was developed in response to the 1996 Taiwan Strait crisis. The 240 km range turbojet-powered missile can be used against both ground and ship targets and launched from the air. Mass production will start in around 2014.
Wan Chien is one of a number of indigenous weapons systems, including the Tien Chien IIA anti-radiation missile and Hsiung Feng series of anti-ship missiles. Starting with the Hsiung Feng I, Taiwan developed the 80-160 km range turbojet-powered Hsiung Feng 2, which entered service in the early 1990s. The Hsiung Feng 3 is a ramjet-powered supersonic cruise missile aimed at ship and land-based targets. The ramjet powered weapon gives a speed of around Mach 2.5 while cruising at between 20 and 200 metres altitude. The +/- 150 km range missile has been in development since 1995 and is believed to have entered service in 2008.
Development of the Hsiung Feng 2E (HF-2E) ground-launched conventional land attack missile was first reported in 2001 and production confirmed in late 2010, with several hundred being planned to be built. The missile has a range of 600+ km and is reportedly powered by a turbofan, and carries a 500 kg warhead. Guidance is thought to be through INS, GPS and terrain matching with imaging infrared terminal guidance.

Japan

Japan has developed several indigenous cruise missiles, starting in the 1970s with the air-launched ASM-1 (Type 80) anti-ship weapon. It entered service with the Japan Air Self Defence Force in 1982 and is powered by a solid rocket/turbojet, giving a range of 50 km. The ASM-1 was developed into the ASM-1C (Type 91), which is lighter and has an extended 65 km range. It entered service in 1994. The ground-launched version is designated SSM-1 (Type 88) while the ship-launched variant is called the SSM-1B (Type 90). The ASM-1 series has been supplemented by the newer ASM-2 (Type 93), in production from 1993, which features a turbojet engine and new imaging infrared seeker. This air-launched cruise missile has a 150 kg or 225 kg warhead and a maximum range of 100 km. The Type 96 variant features various upgrades and entered service in 1997.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is developing the stealthy ASM-3/SSM-2 as a successor to the ASM-2 and SSM-1 for use against ship and land targets. The new missile has a solid rocket propellant/ramjet motor and a range of more than 200 km. It reportedly has dual-mode imaging infrared and active radar seekers.

Korea

Due to American restrictions limiting the production of its own ballistic missiles, South Korea has placed a heavy emphasis on developing long-range cruise missiles to defend against its northern neighbour. In the late 1990s South Korea began developing the ASM/SSM-700K Hae Seong ground, ship, air and submarine-launched anti-ship missile. The turbojet-powered weapon was ordered into production in 2006, with an initial order for 100 for deployment aboard KDX-II and KDX-III destroyers. The Hae Seong has a range of around 150 km.
In October 2006 South Korea first test fired a new land attack cruise missile designated Hyunmoo 3 (ground launch) and Cheon Ryong (for maritime deployment). Designed by the Agency for Defence Development, it had an initial range of 500 km, but the Hyunmoo 3B has a range of 1 000 km and the Hyunmoo 3C a range of 1 500 km, enabling it to target all of North Korea’s territory. The subsonic, turbofan-powered missile has a payload of 500 kg, with terrain matching/inertial/GPS guidance. Production began in 2009, with deployment along the borders and on KDX-3 destroyers.
In December last year Korean media reported that the government had set aside 388 billion won (US$343 million) to buy 177 stealthy standoff cruise missiles and will this year select between the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) and Germany’s Taurus, for use aboard its F-15Ks and F-16Ks. Seoul could deploy the first weapons in late 2013.
North Korea has a varied cruise missile capability but its anti-ship cruise missile arsenal is not a great threat to South Korea’s navy as it mainly comprises of several Styx variants, including the land-based SSC-2B Samlet and HY-1/CSSC-2 Silkworm or HY-2/CSSC-3 Seersucker. Pyongyang has the ability to produce the HY-2 as well as the locally developed, extended range AG-1.

Australia

Under Air 5418 Phase 1 Australia is purchasing Lockheed Martin’s AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile and in March 2006 selected the JASSM to equip the Royal Australian Air Force’s F/A-18 Hornets, after eliminating the Boeing AGM-84H/K Stand-Off Land Attack Missile – Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) and Taurus KEPD 350.
The JASSM is a stealthy standoff cruise missile being developed for the US Air Force. Although development began in 1995, service entry was delayed until 2009 due to several failures during testing, notably because of problems with the GPS guidance system. The AGM-158A is powered by a Teledyne CAE J402 turbojet, giving a subsonic cruising speed and a range of 370 km (230 miles). Guidance is via inertial navigation with GPS updates, with target recognition and terminal homing via an imaging infrared seeker. Thanks to a datalink, it can strike relocatable targets. The warhead is a WDU-42/B 450 kg penetrator. Netherlands and Finland have also selected the JASSM.
A number of other nations in the Asia-Pacific have invested in cruise missile capabilities, but are limited to anti-ship weapons. Bangladesh, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam all have anti-ship cruise missiles, including the C-801, C-802, AGM-84 Harpoon, HY-2, Exocet, Gabriel, Kh-31, Kh-35, Kh-41 and Kh-59.

Korea Develops Active Tank Protection System

Korea Successfully Develops Active Protection System for K2 Tanks
 
Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration has announced that it successfully developed Active Protection System, or APS, for K-2 tanks that automatically detects and shoots down incoming missile or rockets.
 
In the past, the system could only destroy other standing tanks or armed vehicles on the ground.
 
The APS consists of a three-dimensional detection and track radar, heat detection and track system, control computer, launching system and counter rocket.
 
The agency explained that it only takes three-tenths of a second for the new system to detect and track anti-tank missiles and rockets fired from enemies and fire its counter rockets to hit those missiles.
 
The new technology will be up for review by Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff before a decision is made on moving forward with production.

South Korea - Air Force unveils 1st airborne early warning plane - Boeing E-737 Peace Eye

Royal Australian Air Force - Boeing E-737 Peace Eye- South Korean Airforce has purchased a similar aircraft weapons system.

 The South Korean Air Force’s first airborne early warning and control aircraft, the E-737 Peace Eye, has been unveiled at Boeing’s factory in Seattle.

A taegeuk mark symbolizing Korea along with the letters of the South Korean Air Force were clearly seen on the side of the aircraft Thursday last week. The early warning aircraft detects enemy movements from a distance for reporting to a ground base and controls the combat planes of friendly forces.

Seoul decided in 2006 to purchase four E-737s for 1.6 billion U.S. dollars. The first one will be delivered in June and the remaining three by year`s end.

Boeing’s E-X program manager Randy Price said, “A ground radar base has difficulty detecting flying objects behind mountains and is vulnerable to aircraft flying at a low altitude, such as the AN-2 of North Korea, but the E-737s can overcome these shortcomings because they detect enemy flight in the air.”

“They are movable radars fitting the terrain of the Korean Peninsula.”

A 10-meter long antenna called MESA is attached to the top of the aircraft. Price said, “Previously, a radar in the shape of a cylinder circled every 12 seconds to detect enemy objects. In contrast, the MESA radar shoots beams in all directions simultaneously, so there is no blind spot in monitoring.”

An early warning airplane can monitor all objects in the airspace above the Korean Peninsula simultaneously. Seoul, however, has purchased four units as one airplane can fly for eight hours considering fuel and crew fatigue.

If three planes take turns in operations on a given day, the remaining one can undergo maintenance for the next operation.

South Korea to Transfer UAV, Missile Technologies to UAE

By Jung Sung-ki

Korea promised to transfer technology for its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), following its successful bid to build four nuclear reactors in the Middle East nation, a government source said Thursday. Defense Minister Kim Tae-young made the commitment during his visit to the UAE in November to discuss bilateral defense issues as well as to support the landmark $20 billion deal, the source told The Korea Times.

Kim also offered to provide key arms technologies related to the homegrown Hyunmoo ballistic and cruise missiles to the UAE as part of efforts to expand defense cooperation between the two countries, he said on condition of anonymity.Technology on an electromagnetic pulse bomb (EMP) is among the key items for cooperation promised by Korea, said the source.

The state-funded Agency for Defense Development (ADD) has been pushing to develop the bomb capable of neutralizing an enemy's command-and-control, communications and defense radar systems.EMPs can severely disrupt electronic equipment, which is susceptible to damage by transient power surges. An EMP attack is generated by a very short, intense energy pulse or high-altitude nuclear blast.

The agency plans to complete the development by 2014. "The UAE asked Korea to provide such key arms technologies as part of the package deal for the reactor contract," the source said. "Korea's positive response to the request played an important role in sealing the deal."

Speculation has been growing after the agreement that there could have been some behind-the-scene promises to satisfy the UAE needs. At that time, Seoul's defense ministry declined to elaborate, only saying the two sides exchanged views on ways to expand bilateral defense cooperation programs. As for the UAV, Korea will offer the technology on the Night Intruder-300, also known as RQ-101, built by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), according to the source.

KAI built the RQ-101 corps-level battlefield-reconnaissance UAV between 2001 and 2004. The Korean Army bought five sets of RQ-101s, with each set including six aircraft, a launcher and a ground-control station. KAI is also discussing the sale of the RQ-101 to Libya.The RQ-101 has a service ceiling of 4.5 kilometers and a cruise speed of 120 to 150 kilometers per hour. The 215-kilogram aircraft has a service radius of 200 kilometers and can operate for up to six hours in the air.

The UAV is capable of multipurpose operations to perform missions like wide area surveillance, reconnaissance, target acquisition, bombing guidance, battlefield supervision and checking target break-down. It is also possible to transfer real-time images, especially in unfavorable environments during day and night.

Some observers say, however, potential exports of the RQ-101 to either the UAE or Libya could cause a political or diplomatic row between South Korea and Israel given the ground-control station for the UAV was developed with technical assistance from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).

IAI offered the technology when it sold its Searcher II UAVs to South Korea.Referred missile technologies are related to those for the 300-kilometer-range Hyunmoo-II ballistic missile and the 1,000-kilometer-range Hyunmoo-III surface-to-surface cruise missile developed by the ADD and LIG Nex1.

The Hyunmoo-III missiles have been operational with the Army since last year. The Hyunmoo-III can hit targets with a margin of error of plus or minus five meters aided by a Terrain Contour Matching (TERCOM) system.