The Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) K-SAM Pegasus (CHUNMA) short range air defence system uses The Crotale EDIR (Ecartométrie Différentielle InfraRouge, “InfraRed Differential Ecartometry”) all-weather short-range anti-air missile, which can be used to intercept low-flight anti-ship missiles and aircraft. The first surface-to-air missile system in Korea, ‘CHUNMA’ is one of the groundbreaking missile systems that have advanced the anti-aircraft defense system of the Korean military a step further. Along with BIHO, it contributes to the reinforced anti-aircraft defense capacity. The K-SAM Pegasus (CHUNMA) is the first short-range surface-to-air missile system for the Korean military to prepare for an enemy’s low-altitude air infiltration using complicated mountain terrain.
The K-SAM Pegasus (CHUNMA) was designed to engage airborne threats flying at altitudes of 5,000 meters and ranges of 9-10km using Command-to-Line-Of-Sight (CLOS) guidance. A new search-and-track radar was jointly developed by Samsung and Thales to meet the required operational capability of the K-SAM Pegasus, as well as a new indigenous missile by LIG Nex1. The surveillance radar is capable of detecting up to 20 airborne targets at ranges up to 20km. The tracking radar can track up to eight targets at ranges of 16km. The air defence system is workable in day/nigh and all-weather conditions in heavy clutter and jamming environments. Doosan DST (now Hanwa Defense) integrated this modified Crotale NG system with a ROKA K-200 IFV hull. The 26-ton V-shaped chassis is powered by a Doosan D2840L 10V turbo-intercooled diesel engine rated at 520-hp.
The Pegasus is strategically valuable, in part, because of its ability to defend in nearly any situation. The air defense system is workable in day/night, all-weather conditions, and heavy clutter and jamming environments. It is also capable of operating in extreme environments that could include attempts at electronic countermeasure jamming (ECM) or nuclear, biological, chemical (NBC) contamination, making it an important layer of defense in high tension areas. This air defense system is intended for protection of industrial facilities, infrastructures, mobile military units, ports, and airports that are found in mountainous terrain.
