Military

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  S. Korea develops all-terrain autonomous driving technology for unmanned vehicles and drones SEOUL -- South Korea's defense technology development agency has developed an artificial intelligence-based autonomous driving technology for off-road and rough terrains. The technology will be used for upgrading the country's various weaponry systems including unmanned vehicles and drones. Normally, self-driving technologies are designed for ordinary commercial vehicles traveling on paved roads. It is hard for the conventional AI-based system to safely travel through off-r 2022-05-24
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  New bulletproof miltary helmet developed with aramid for maximum performance and minimum weight SEOUL -- A new bulletproof helmet with maximum performance and minimum weight has been developed in South Korea's state project to protect soldiers' lives by localizing aromatic polyamide (aramid), a class of heat-resistant and strong synthetic fibers used as a bulletproof material that has been imported. The state-run Korea Research Institute for Defense Technology Planning and Advancement (KRIT) said that the new bullet-proof helmet developed together with two domestic com 2022-05-23
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  Hanwha Systems works with Italian defense firm Leonardo to pioneer global markets with advanced array antenna system SEOUL -- Leonardo, an aerospace and defense company in Italy, joined hands with Hanwha Systems, a defense contractor affiliated with South Korea's Hanwha Group, to pioneer global export markets by combining their strengths in developing a computer-controlled array antenna system that determines the survival of fighter jets in aerial warfare. Active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars are a computer-controlled array antenna system that can electronically steer the beam of 2022-05-23
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  Next-generation wire-guided heavyweight torpedo ready for mass production SEOUL -- The improved version of Bumsangeo (Tiger Shark), a wire-guided heavyweight torpedo for submarine loading to strike enemy surface ships and submarines from a distance, is ready for mass production and field deployment after it succeeded in underwater test-firing for quality certification. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), an arms procurement agency controlled by the defense ministry, has launched a project to develop Bumsangeo-II, the next generation o 2022-05-17
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  Bell 505 light helicopter selected for military pilot training in S. Korea SEOUL -- B505, a glass cockpit light helicopter built by Bell Helicopter, has been selected for South Korea's military project to replace decades-old training helicopters for Army and Navy pilots. The single-engine five-seat turbine helicopter will be installed with the latest digital instrument panel and tactical navigation equipment. South Korea will invest some 170 billion won ($133 million) to introduce 40 training helicopters by 2025. Bell has modified its Bell 505 Jet R 2022-05-16
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  S. Korea develops radar technology capable of tracking multiple ballistic missile warheads SEOUL -- South Korea's defense technology development agency has developed a core radar technology for the detection of ballistic missile warheads. The homemade technology will enable military radars to selectively detect the multiple warheads of ballistic missiles and reduce South Korea's heavy reliance on U.S. technologies. A ballistic missile carrying multiple warheads leaves a trail of debris and empty fuel canisters during its flight. Outdated radars are often fooled by 2022-05-10
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  Research body works on development of super-strong femtosecond laser plasma defense weapon SEOUL -- A research body in South Korea launched a five-year research project to develop ultra-strong laser and laser-plasma technologies that can disable enemy electronic equipment such as drones and unmanned robots. Super-strong lasers can instantly damage all objects, quickly hitting the core of a weapon. The Advanced Photonics Research Insitute (APRI), a sub research body of the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), opened a research center on May 9 to develop the 2022-05-09
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  New U.S. spy plane deployed to support U.S. Army missions in Indo-Pacific SEOUL -- A new spy plane developed by L3Harris Technologies has been deployed in support of U.S. Army military mission in the Indo-Pacific region. The new aircraft with greater capability and increased standoff ranges than the RC-12 Guardrail platform in service for decades can fly for up to 14 hours at altitudes above 12.5 kilometers (41,000 feet). The new aircraft would help U.S. troops based in South Korea to enhance airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) ca 2022-05-06
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  S. Korea starts production of long-range air defense radar prototype SEOUL -- In an effort to replace outdated U.S.-made military radars, South Korea has embarked on the production of a prototype model for a homemade long-range air defense radar system capable of scanning a broad and distant flying zone. The top-notch radar system's performance was enhanced by more than 20 percent compared to the current system. The new system was developed through a 46 billion won ($36.4 million) project led by LIG Nex1, a defense contractor, to cover the Korea 2022-05-04
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  Hanwha Defense secures opportunity to broaden K9's overseas supply network through user club meeting SEOUL -- Hanwha Defense, a major defense company affiliated with South Korea's Hanwha Group, has secured an opportunity to broaden the overseas supply network of the world's most popular self-propelled howitzer, K9 Thunder, through a meeting of user countries such as Norway, Finland and Estonia. At the first meeting of a K9 user community on April 27-28 at its home base in the southern city of Changwon, Hanwha Defense drew favorable reviews. The user community meeting takes 2022-05-03
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  First batch of new homemade flight control radars deployed to military airports in S. Korea SEOUL -- To replace outdated foreign-made radars that have been used at military airports for three decades, South Korea has rolled out new air traffic control radars using homemade parts with improved performance. The first batch of mass-produced products has been deployed for the safe landing of jet fighters. Precision approach radar (PAR) is a type of radar that helps planes land at an airport by providing lateral and vertical guidance. PARs are mainly used for the control of ai 2022-04-29
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  Raytheon's SM-6 favored for use by S. Korean Aegis warships to intercept ballistic missiles SEOUL -- SM-6, a missile system developed by U.S. aerospace and defense company Raytheon, has been selected for use by South Korean Aegis warships to intercept North Korean ballistic missiles. SM-6 was developed as the only weapon that can perform anti-air warfare, ballistic missile defense and anti-surface warfare missions. The system offers navies more flexibility in limited ship space. The proposed acquisition of Raytheon's SM-6 through a foreign military sale (FMS) progra 2022-04-27
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  [FOCUS] S. Korea's SLBM program shows progress through consecutive launch SEOUL -- South Korea's infant submarine-launched ballistic missile program showed considerable progress through the consecutive release of two rounds in an unheralded test launch that came seven months after the first open launch from a 3,000-ton attack submarine in the presence of President Moon Jae-in. The South's defense ministry belatedly confirmed that two submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) were fired consecutively in 20 seconds from South Korea's fir 2022-04-22
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  S. Korea to localize laser equipment for quick and safe bomb disposal SEOUL -- South Korea will launch a project to localize laser equipment that can safely dispose of or defuse bombs, unexploded munitions, and improvised explosive devices from a few hundred meters away. Explosives are removed by specially trained personnel wearing a bomb suit, also known as explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) suit or a blast suit. The heavy armor-plated suit that weighs about 40 kilograms (88 pounds) dampens the impact caused by explosion. However, bomb disposal perso 2022-04-14
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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