Revolutionizing Air Defense: Korea's KF-21 Fighter Jet with Domestic AESA Radar

In a significant leap forward for its defense industry, Korea has successfully developed and mass-produced its first Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar using purely domestic technology. This milestone, achieved on August 5, marks a pivotal moment in the deployment of the Korean Fighter KF-21.

The AESA radar, often dubbed the 'eyes' of a fighter jet, utilizes numerous small transmit-receive modules for independent operation, enabling faster tracking of multiple targets compared to traditional mechanical radars.

From Challenge to Triumph: The Journey of Independent Development

Initially reliant on U.S. technology, Korea faced a setback when technology transfer was denied. Undeterred, Hanwha Systems embarked on an ambitious project in August 2016, culminating in a prototype by 2020 and mass production shortly after.

Superior Performance: The APY-016K Radar

The APY-016K, Korea's indigenous AESA radar, boasts approximately 1,000 transmit-receive modules, capable of detecting targets 150-200km away and tracking up to 20 simultaneously, rivaling the U.S.'s AN/APG-81 radar in performance.

Beyond Radar: Localizing Major Avionics

The KF-21's advancement extends to the localization of critical avionics, including the Infrared Search and Track (IRST) system, Electro-Optical Targeting Pod (EO TGP), and Integrated Electronic Warfare Suite (EW Suite), solidifying its status as a 4.5-generation fighter.