Page 14 - SEOUL ADEX 2023 - DAY 3

KAI’s Extensive Product Range on Show

KF-21 Boromae is in the spotlight, but the
fighter jet is just one of the many products
that Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is
promoting at the ongoing Show.

The company is showcasing its next gen-
eration air combat system, the manned un-
manned teaming (MUM-t) concept involving
a manned aircraft and an unmanned aerial
vehicle (UAV), its mine countermeasures
helicopter (MCH), Marine attack helicopter
(MAH), and the KUH-1, the multi-role utility
helicopter. Among the other models that
the company has displayed at the event
is that of the proposed turbofan-powered self-protection system. The aircraft will transport aircraft, Airbus A330 Multi Role
multirole cargo aircraft (MC-X.) be able to carry a large number of troops, Tanker Transport (MRTT) that can undertake
equipment and cargo. According to the both air-to-air refueling and personnel/cargo
The MC-X is expected to be a twin-engine company, it can also be modified to perform delivery missions, and CN-235-100/220
aircraft with a length of about 40.3 m long, different kinds of missions such as aerial aircraft configured for transport missions.
height of 13.5 m and a span of 41.1 m. Its refueling, MUM-T, and maritime patrol.
maximum take-off weight would be 92,000 Although there is no timeline for the pro-
kg with a payload capacity of up to 30,000 The company has initiated discussions with posed aircraft, the company is confident
kg. It will be equipped with 30,000 lb-class the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) that if given the green light, it would be able
turbofan engines that are expected to of- to gauge the service’s future transport re- to enter production by the early 2030s. The
fer a maximum speed of 926 km/h and quirements. The service fleet of transport chances of the company collaborating
cruising range of 7,000 km. The aircraft aircraft includes Lockheed Martin C-130H/C- with an international industry partner also
will be equipped with head-up display, 130H-30 and C-130J-30 turboprop tactical cannot be ruled out.

Lockheed Martin Highlights extended standoff range, was in the news
recently with Poland acquiring 34 new AN/
Products, Korea Footprint AAQ-33 Sniper ATPs to equip its KAI-built
FA-50 light attack aircraft. The pods will be
delivered to Poland between 2024 and 2028.

American defence major Lockheed Martin’s powerful helicopter in the world. It is capable
booth at the Show has models of the CH- of hauling up to 27,000 pounds, including The Sniper ATP is capable of handling the
53K helicopter, its fighter jets, C-130J as well people, equipment, and vehicles. The air- most challenging precision targeting and
as the Sniper advanced targeting pod (ATP). craft can lift three times the weight of its ISR air-to-air and air-to-ground missions in
predecessor, the CH-53E. the land, sea, and air domains. The company
The company has also brought the CH-53K has delivered more than 1,500 pods across
demonstrator and the F-35 cockpit demon- Sniper, a targeting pod for military aircraft regions, with Sniper being interoperable
strator to the event. Prominently displayed that provides positive target identification, across multiple platforms such as the F-2,
are models of the F-16, F-35A and CH-53K. autonomous tracking, GPS coordinate gen- F-15, F-16, F-18, A-10, B-1, B-52 and Typhoon
eration, and precise weapons guidance from fighters.
With the U.S Navy declaring Full Rate
Production for the CH-53K programme in
December last year, Sikorsky is expected
to increase production to more than 20
helicopters annually in the coming years.
In August this year, the U.S. Navy awarded
Sikorsky a US$2.7 billion contract to build
and deliver 35 additional CH-53K helicop-
ters. The agreement includes 12 U.S. Marine
Corps Lot 7 aircraft, 15 U.S. Marine Corps
Lot 8 aircraft, and eight aircraft for Israel.
Company officials are confident about the
helicopter having takers in the Asia Pacific
region.

With a 36,000 lb payload capacity, the CH-
53K, which is digitally designed, is the most
14 OCTOBER-19-2023 WWW.GBP.COM.SG/DAILY NEWS