Continues Established Partnership
On 20 March, L3Harris Technologies announced a teaming agreement with Israel Aerospace Industries’ ELTA Systems Group (IAI/ELTA) and Korean Air Lines (KAL), to deliver the next generation of survivable, high-altitude airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft to the Republic of Korea’s Air Force (RoKAF).
Led by prime contractor L3Harris, the team has delivered a variety of special mission aircraft over the last 20 years, including the Korea P-3C upgrade programme and a fleet of Falcon 2000 aircraft for regional customers with specific surveillance requirements. The RoKAF solution is based on a Bombardier Global 6500 business jet.
The AEW&C solution includes integration of IAI/ELTA’s advanced radar technology and AI algorithms. The first two aircraft will receive structural modifications in Texas before integration and radar testing in Israel. KAL will lead modification and testing of the remaining aircraft in Korea. The arrangement will grow a new AEW&C aircraft mission integration capability in the Korea, providing it with higher aircraft readiness rates and lower operational costs.