Updated : 2015-11-10 21:25
KF-X project requires much more scientists
By Jun Ji-hye
The state-run defense science center plans to hire 40 more researchers and technicians who will be tasked with developing an advanced radar system for the country's domestically made fighter jets.
This is part of a plan to develop Korea's own jet, codenamed KF-X, by 2025.
An official from the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) told reporters on the condition of anonymity, "We asked the government to more than triple the number of research personnel to develop the active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar to 50."
The AESA radar is one of the four core technologies necessary for developing high-tech fighter jets. The remaining three are infrared search and track (IRST), electronic optics targeting pod (EOTGP) and radio frequency (RF) jammer.
Currently, less than 20 people at the ADD are working on the radar system.
The official noted that the institute is also going to ask the government to increase the relevant budget.
The KF-X project calls for the development of the fighter jets to replace the Air Force's aging fleet of F-4s and F-5s. The government plans to spend 8.5 trillion won on the program, and an additional 10 trillion won to produce 120 jets.
The agency has stressed that the nation is capable of domestically developing the necessary technologies in time to meet the deadline amid growing skepticism over the feasibility of the project after the U.S. government blocked Lockheed Martin from handing over the four core technologies to Korea for security reasons in April.
ADD President Jung Hong-yong told reporters, "As long as we secure a sufficient budget and personnel, we will be able to develop the AESA radar by the deadline."
The move came after President Park Geun-hye expressed her support for the KF-X program on Oct. 27 when she told Minister Chang Myoung-jin of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration to do his best to complete the development within the planned period and supplement manpower if necessary.
The ADD wants to develop air-to-air AESA radar first by 2019, followed by air-to-ground and air-to-underwater radar afterward. Then, the agency plans to complete the development of the radar system by integrating the three capabilities by 2021.
The agency said it has already secured almost 80 percent of the necessary technologies to develop the advanced radar system. But it added that it would consider signing partnerships with foreign companies as a "Plan B" if it faces difficulties with system integration.
The National Assembly Defense Committee recently approved a bill allocating a budget of 67 billion won for the KF-X program next year.
Rep. Kim Jae-kyung of the ruling Saenuri Party, who chairs the committee, signaled extending the budget, saying "Once the government decides to go forward with the program, the Assembly needs to approve the necessary funds."
But some lawmakers still argue that the government should review the program from the beginning, saying it will be hard for the country to develop high-tech fighter jets within 10 years.
Follow Jun Ji-hye on Twitter @TheKopJihye
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67 billion won +- = 61 milhões de dólares.
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