South Korea's LIG Nex1 has appointed Sweden's Applied Composites AB (ACAB) to develop a prototype radome for Seoul's KF-X indigenous fighter programme.
"We are very proud of and pleased with the contract from LIG Nex1 since it consolidates our position as the world leader in radomes," said ACAB president Torgny Stenholm.
"In addition, the agreement is considered to be strategically important for ACAB as the company has plans to expand within the commercial and military aerospace segments," Stenholm added.
The contract covers "exploratory development and production of prototypes", said ACAB. The company did not disclose the value of the contract.
LIG Nex1, a unit of LIG Group, is a major defence contractor in South Korea. It produces radars, mission computers and heads-up displays for the Korea Aerospace Industries T-50 and Boeing F-15K Slam Eagle.
The KF-X will be Seoul's most ambitious indigenous aircraft programme to date. The development of what is likely to be a twin-engine, medium-sized fighter is scheduled to start in 2013.
Seoul's Defence Acquisition Programme Agency (DAPA) foresees that offsets from the F-X III fighter competition will play a major role in the KF-X. In addition, Indonesia will contribute 20% of the KF-X's development costs and Seoul hopes that Turkey will also contribute to the programme.
Seoul's plans call for the KF-X to become operational by 2021. ACAB added that Seoul is likely to acquire 250 KF-X aircraft.
Source: Flight International
