Korean Air, L3Harris to introduce more AEW&C aircraft

South Korean airliner Korean Air Lines Co. held the Industry Day in Seoul on Wednesday with the US-based defense company L3Harris to discuss South Korea's Air Force's aerial surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

The main theme was the introduction of Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft to South Korea's Air Force. 

The AEW&C system is an airborne radar early warning system that was designed to detect aircraft, ships, vehicles, missiles, and other incoming projectiles at long ranges.

It allows the operators to detect, track, and prioritize targets and identify friendly aircraft from hostile ones in real-time and from much farther away than ground-based radars.

South Korea currently operates four Boeing E-737 Peace Eye AEW&C aircraft and seeks to add more by 2031 for 2.9 trillion won ($2.13 billion).

L3Harris proposed a model using a Bombardier Global 6500 jet equipped with IAI's advanced radar.

As part of their 2022 partnership, Korean Air will participate in the new AEW&C aircraft, including modifications, parts manufacturing, and personnel training.

Write to Jin-Won Kim at jin1@hankyung.com