South Korea plans to launch its first pico-satellite next year as a sub-payload aboard a Russian booster and aims to launch its first nano-satellite in 2008. The satellite is being jointly developed by Hankuk Aviation University, Tokyo University and the US-based Cornell and Stanford universities. The South Korean ministry of science and technology is providing funding.
Eurocopter talks
Eurocopter and Samsung Techwin are in talks to expand their helicopter maintenance agreement beyond the AS365 Dauphin. Samsung Techwin is already an authorised service centre for civilian Dauphins operated in South Korea. Eurocopter says it expects to finalise an agreement soon that will make Samsung Techwin an authorised centre for several other civilian types.
F-5 upgrades
South Korea plans to upgrade 22 of its Northrop F-5s with an ALE-47 countermeasures dispenser system supplied by US firm Symetrics Industries. Symetrics will build the first two retrofit kits in the USA and the remaining 20 aircraft will be modified by Korea Aerospace Industries. Elisra, which supplies radar warning receivers and chaff dispenser systems for South Korean F-5s, will be the project's integrator.
L3 logistics
The US Air Force has extended until 2006 a logistics deal with L-3 Communications covering South Korea's fleet of Peace Pioneer airborne reconnaissance systems. South Korea purchased in 1996 eight Raytheon Hawker 800XPs and four signal intelligence mission systems from E-Systems (now L-3).
ASN-206 updates
China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation says it is working on an upgraded version of Xi'an-based ASN Technology's ASN-206 tactical unmanned air vehicle. The new version would incorporate an electronic warfare self-protection suite.
Source: Flight International
