Military

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  Hyundai Rotem works with domestic company to develop multi-legged defense robot SEOUL -- Hyundai Rotem, a subsidiary of South Korea's Hyundai auto group, will work with Rainbow Robotics, a domestic robot platform company, to develop a multi-legged walking defense robot for counter-terrorism missions in response to the high demand for high-tech military equipment applied with new technologies. There is a growing demand for robots that can be operated on battlefields, disaster areas, and urban areas. The defense ministry has revealed a military scheme to dev 2022-04-07
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  KAERI's new research reactor reignites hope for nuclear-powered submarine SEOUL -- A domestic consortium led by Daewoo Engineering & Construction has been selected to build a 15-megawatt research reactor using uranium-molybdenum plate-type nuclear fuel for the first time in the world. The project contains a lot of connotations as South Korea dreams of building nuclear-powered military vessels with consent from Washington, which has meticulously monitored any nuclear programs on the Korean peninsula. On an order worth 363.2 billion won ($298 million) 2022-04-07
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  LIG Nex1 selected as preferred bidder to develop improved light anti-submarine torpedo SEOUL -- LIG Nex1, a defense contractor in South Korea, was selected as a preferred bidder for a military project to develop the improved version of a light anti-submarine torpedo system called Chungsangeo (Blue Shark) that can be deployed from surface ships, helicopters and aircraft. Chungsangeo (Blue Shark) with an operational range of 19 kilometers (11.8 miles) is 2.7 meters long and weighs 280 kilograms. Chungsangeo-II will have improved detection and attack capabilities. The 2022-04-04
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  ​S. Korea to accelerate development of hypersonic aerial vehicle and quantum radar technologies SEOUL -- To acquire core technologies that would play a vital role in enhancing future defense capabilities, South Korea will accelerate the development of core military technologies related to hypersonic aerial vehicles and quantum radars for the detection of stealth fighters. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) operated by the Ministry of National Defense said that some 266.4 billion won ($220 million) will be spent this year to acquire eight types of core mil 2022-03-31
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  S. Korea adopts new jet fighter pilot training system to upgrade combat capability SEOUL -- In an effort to replace old equipment introduced in 2002, South Korea has adopted a new training system for jet fighter pilots to improve their aerial combat capabilities by simulating realistic battlefields. Air combat maneuvering instrumentation (ACMI) systems record in-flight data and they are often used for training pilots by creating and simulating aerial battlefields. While older ACMI systems rely on ground radars to track and record the position of aircraft, advanc 2022-03-31
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  S. Korea aims to put satellite into low orbit by 2024 using solid-propellant space rocket SEOUL -- South Korea aims to put a small dummy satellite into low orbit by 2024 using a solid-propellant space rocket after its first test launch produced satisfactory results in verifying the performance of a large solid-fuel propulsion system and other core technologies, which are crucial for the operation of small spy satellites. The first test launch of a homemade solid-propellant space launch vehicle on March 30 was successful, the Defense Ministry said, adding it would boost 2022-03-31
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  S. Korea develops high-performance anode technology for thermal batteries SEOUL -- For the first time in the world, South Korea's defense technology development agency has developed a high-performance anode technology for thermal batteries used in precision-guided weapon munitions. The three-dimension structured anode is easier to make and can beef up the capacity of thermal batteries by more than 200 percent. Thermal batteries, also known as molten salt batteries or liquid sodium batteries, use an electrolyte made of a mixture of solid sodium or l 2022-03-29
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  STX Engine partners with German company to develop hybrid engine for combat equipment SEOUL -- STX Engine, a military and marine diesel engine manufacturer in South Korea, tied up with Vincorion, a brand of Germany's technology group Jenoptik, to develop a hybrid engine system suitable for future combat equipment that can improve fuel efficiency and instantaneous acceleration performance. Under a strategic partnership with Vincorion that offers products, solutions, and services for mechatronic applications, STX Engine will develop a hybrid engine system that inte 2022-03-22
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  S. Korea develops shock-activated high-performance thermal battery for precision-guided munitions SEOUL -- South Korea's defense technology development agency has developed a shock-activated small high-performance thermal battery for precision-guided munitions. The battery is ideal for powering "winged artillery shells" that use GPS and an inertial measurement unit to glide and accurately hit the target. Thermal batteries, also known as molten salt batteries or liquid sodium batteries, use an electrolyte made of a mixture of solid sodium or liquid salt that tur 2022-03-08
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  ​S. Korea embarks on research of cluster control technology for insect spy robots SEOUL -- A consortium led by LIG Nex1, a major defense company in South Korea, has embarked on a five-year research project to develop technologies for the control of micro-sized insect spy robots that operate in clusters like ants and bees. The tiny robots can be utilized in reconnaissance missions by collaborating with manned and unmanned equipment such as military drones and patrol robots. Micro-sized robots inspired by insects are being researched globally, especially in the mi 2022-03-07
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  Defense contractors' cyber security system faces inspection to prevent hacking SEOUL -- The security system of South Korean defense contractors will be scrutinized to find possible breach points and prevent cyberattacks including data breaches and hacking. The project is aimed at helping medium-sized companies upgrade their cyber security capabilities. According to Ahn Lab, an online security solution and service company in South Korea, cryptocurrency exchanges and data systems of government bodies and partner companies were the main target of cyberattacks in 2022-03-04
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  Date set for flight test to verify performance of AESA radar for KF-21 fighter jet SEOUL -- A flight test to verify the performance of a computer-controlled array antenna system for South Korea's homemade KF-21 fighter jet will begin in domestic airspace in mid-March, using a Boeing 737-500 plane modified into a flying testbed in South Africa. The system is an essential device that determines the survival of fighter jets in aerial warfare and is used to detect, track and form images of aerial and ground targets. Active electronically scanned array (AESA) rad 2022-03-04
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  Presidential office confirms 'successful' test of S. Korea's Iron Dome interceptor SEOUL -- In a belated acknowledgment that broke the military's strategic silence on the development of sensitive weapons, the office of President Moon Jae-in vaunted the "successful" test of South Korea's low altitude missile defense system (LAMD) that intercepts North Korea's long-range artillery shells and cruise missiles. LAMD is the Korean version of Iron Dome, a dome-shaped air defense network that Israel has developed to intercept and destroy short-range 2022-02-28
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  Hanwha Group to exapnd Australian footprint based on defense cooperation SEOUL -- South Korea's Hanwha Group has expressed strong interest in investment and business opportunities in Australia from construction and aerospace to urban air mobility following a $785 million defense contract to locally produce K9 self-propelled howitzers and ammunition resupply vehicles at a manufacturing base to be built in Victoria. The deal to produce AS9 Huntsman, the Australian version of Hanwha Defense's K9, marked the first time Australia has acquired major de 2022-02-25
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  Anti-aircraft laser weapon test behind closed doors draws attention in S. Korea SEOUL -- The development of anti-aircraft laser weapons under development in South Korea drew attention following unconfirmed news reports that the early-stage evaluation of a prototype was conducted behind closed at a site where missiles and other strategic weapons have been tested for decades. There were multiple news reports that a laser weapon was showcased on February 23 at a test site in Anheung, some 200 kilometers southwest of Seoul, along with L-SAM, a missile defense syste 2022-02-24
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  Hanwha Defense confirms site for K9 production plant in Australia SEOUL -- Hanwha Defense, a key defense contractor in South Korea, will build its first overseas manufacturing plant in Australia to churn out K9 self-propelled howitzers and probably Redback infantry fighting vehicles if it beats a German competitor. It can serve as a base to deal with exports to European countries. The plant will be built on 32,000 square meters of land in a site near Avalon Airport in the Greater Geelong area of Victoria. The groundbreaking ceremony may take pl 2022-02-24
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  ​S. Korea to upgrade surveillance system in border areas using AI SEOUL -- Using artificial intelligence technology, South Korea's defense ministry will lessen the heavy work of border guards and improve a border surveillance system. The cutting-edge technology will be adopted at a frontline infantry division. At a high-level defense technology committee on February 22, defense and science ministry officials agreed to cooperate in upgrading the military's surveillance system using AI technologies. The defense ministry will reinforce a guar 2022-02-23
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  S. Korea proposes development of space rocket using hybrid engine SEOUL -- South Korea will push for the development of a new space rocket installed with a hybrid engine using solid and liquid fuels together that can increase the weight of space launch vehicles in a shorter period of time. A hybrid engine can operate space launch vehicles more flexibly and quickly depending on missions and purposes and significantly reduce the time required to advance technology. The development of a hybrid rocket motor that uses one propellant in solid form and t 2022-02-23
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  ADD develops methanol reforming technology for submarine hydrogen fuel cells SEOUL -- South Korea's defense technology development agency has developed the technology of methanol-reforming plant for hydrogen fuel cells that can enhance the operational performance of submarines. It directly produces high-purity hydrogen that can be produced in submarines by reforming methanol. Submarine fuel cells use high-purity hydrogen as fuel to increase the underwater time. An air-independent fuel cell propulsion system increases underwater endurance, diving depth 2022-02-22
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  S. Korea's light armed helicopter project passes low-temperature flight test in Canada SEOUL -- The development of South Korea's first light-armed helicopter crossed a major hurdle in the assessment of its effectiveness and suitability for combat, about four years after a prototype was released in 2018. The nine-week test was done in a Canadian territory with an average winter temperature of minus 32 degrees Celsius. The test of the light-armed helicopter (LAH) developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) was carried out in Yellow Knife, the capital city of Canad 2022-02-18