BRENDAN SOBIE / SINGAPORE
Boeing and the US government are lobbying South Korea to drop a proposed downsizing of its airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft requirement that would potentially tilt its upcoming competition in favour of an Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) solution.
Industry sources say South Korea could request an aircraft with only six operator consoles. Last month US government officials met the air force to persuade the service that at least 10 consoles are required for the mission.
A modified Boeing 737 had been a favourite, having been selected in 2000 ahead of a rival Airbus A320-based bid, but the competition was abandoned after budget cuts. The air force is now defining its requirement before releasing a new request for proposals in the next few weeks. The service plans to purchase four aircraft, for delivery from 2008.
IAI displayed a mock-up of a six-console Gulfstream G550-based AEW&C aircraft equipped with Elta Electronics' Phalcon radar at the 2003 Korea Air Show (Flight International, 11-17 November 2003). Industry sources say Israel has hinted it will buy the Korea Aerospace Industries/Lockheed Martin T-50 advanced trainer if Seoul selects the G550/Phalcon system.
Thales and L-3 may offer a missionised A320 or A321. However, if the requirement is cut to fewer than 10 consoles, several additional manufacturers plan to enter the competition. These include ATR, Embraer and Saab.
Industry sources say Boeing remains confident of selling its 737-based solution to South Korea, given the large size of the equipment requested and Seoul's need to maintain interoperability with US aircraft.
Source: Flight International
