Paul Lewis /SEOUL
THE SOUTH KOREAN air force is considering reviving longstanding plans for an avionics and structural upgrade of its Northrop F-5E/F fighters.
South Korean industry sources expect the air force to issue a new request for proposals (RFP) before the end of the year. The programme, if given a final Government go-ahead, is tentatively targeted for initial funding in 1998.
An air force study has decided to combine an F-5 structural life-extension and avionics improvement into a single upgrade project. Replacement avionic systems would include a new multi-mode pulse-Doppler radar, inertial-navigation system and head-up display.
According to a defence official, the air force is initially focusing on upgrading about 60 aircraft. There is a requirement to increase this number ultimately to 150-200.
Renewed air force discussion of an F-5 upgrade is attracting strong interest from South Korea's major aerospace manufacturers - Daewoo Heavy Industry, Korean Air (KAL) and Samsung Aerospace.
All three companies have teaming agreements in place with foreign partners from earlier planned F-5 upgrade programmes, which never materialised.
KAL's Aerospace division joined Bristol Aerospace in 1993 to compete internationally for an F-5A/B structural upgrade. It has since entered talks with Israel Aircraft Industries and Rockwell to compete for F-5E/F work.
At the same time, main rival Samsung also formed a world alliance with Northrop Grumman, to pursue F-5 avionics- and structural-upgrade work. Other companies known to be interested include Elbit and Singapore Technologies Aerospace.
Samsung, in the meantime, is pressing the air force to extend the Korean Fighter Programme (KFP), to sustain work at its Sachon plant. The company faces a shortfall in production after completion of the last of 72 licence-produced Lockheed Martin F-16C/Ds in December 1999. Samsung is pinning its long-term hopes on securing Government funding in 1997 to begin development of the KTX-II light-combat aircraft/advanced trainer. The first aircraft, however, would not be delivered until 2003 at the earliest (Flight International, 21-27 August, P5). Stopgap measures under review include ordering an extra 50 F-16s. These would either be a continuation of the existing Block 52 standard KFP production line, or the proposed, improved Block 60 version.
The latter, if launched, may also be offered to meet the air force follow-on F-X future-fighter requirement as a low-cost alternative to the McDonnell Douglas F-15.
Another option is to upgrade the fleet of 39 earlier, Block 32 F-16C/Ds. Modifications would include adding the Block 52 aircraft's self-protection jammer and global-positioning system.
Source: Flight International
