Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) currently has four Boeing E-7A airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) and the South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) is seeking to buy another four more AEW aircraft by 2027. An airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system is an airborne radar system designed to detect aircraft, ships, vehicles, missiles, and other incoming projectiles at long ranges and perform command and control of the battlespace. Tired of the incessant payment of huge repair costs to maintain Boeing 737 AEW&C planes, DAPA now talks about the necessity of acquiring independent technologies for the development of a homemade AEW&C system. South Korean companies think they can enhance the level of technologies for designing an independent AEW&C system as they did in developing the KF-21 fighter jet that made its maiden flight in July 2022. South Korean flag carrier Korean Air Aerospace Division (KAL-ASD) tied up with L3Harris Technologies to participate in a military program to purchase new high-altitute planes for aerial early warning, command and control. L3Harris promised to reduce price and maintenance costs dramatically and transfer system integration technologies. L3Harris and Korean Air Aerospace have proposed a Global 6500 model with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)’s radar.
Global 6500 is a long-range jet produced by Canadian manufacturer Bombardier Aerospace, featuring a spacious cabin, a flight range of more than 12,000 kilometers (7,456 miles), and powerful Rolls-Royce engines. On 27 May 2018, Bombardier unveiled the Global 6500 developments expected to enter service at the end of 2019 with an optimized wing for a Mach 0.90 top speed. FAA Type Certification of Global 6500 variant was announced on 23 December 2019. Under a comprehensive business cooperation agreement with L3Harris, Korean Air said it would participate in remodeling, parts production for additional aircraft, and personnel training if Global 6500 is adopted. The gathering of information for military, government and civil organizations grows more important every day. Bombardier’s large-cabin business jet platforms are trusted around the world to fly Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, Electronic Warfare (EW) and Airborne Early Warning (AEW) missions. Global aircraft are especially attractive for military use because of their speed, agility, endurance and low operating costs compared to other aircraft in their class.
L3Harris Technologies (L3Harris) is an American technology company, defense contractor, and information technology services provider that produces C6ISR systems and products, wireless equipment, tactical radios, avionics and electronic systems. For nearly 40 years, L3Harris has been the qualified supplier of the E-3 AWACS rotary coupler. Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is Israel’s major aerospace and aviation manufacturer, producing aerial and astronautic systems for both military and civilian usage. IAI pioneered the current worldwide trend of using high performance fuel-efficient business jets for Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) solutions. Korean Air is involved in aerospace research and manufacturing. The division, known as the Korean Air Aerospace Division (KAL-ASD), has manufactured licensed versions of the MD Helicopters MD 500 and Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, as well as the aft fuselage and wings for the KF-16 fighter aircraft manufactured by Korean Aerospace Industries and parts for various commercial aircraft.
