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Korea Aerospace Industries’ FA-50 light combat aircraft will be outfitted with the new PhantomStrike radar developed by Raytheon Technologies.
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The fully air-cooled, fire-control radar designed to provide long-range threat detection, tracking, and targeting will be fitted into the new aircraft under direct commercial sales product to KAI.
The radar is designed to be used on light-attack aircraft, rotary-wing aircraft, uncrewed aerial vehicles, and ground-based towers with digital beam forming and steering, multimode functionality and interleaved ground and air targeting.
The Republic of Korea Air Force FA-50 aircraft crewed by two pilots can reach a maximum speed of Mach 1.5, can be equipped with a 20mm three-barrelled cannon, general purpose bombs, cluster bombs, Aim-9 sidewinders, and JDAM missiles.
Earlier this year, KAI confirmed it would supply 18 FA-50 aircraft to meet Malaysia’s fighter lead in trainer-light combat aircraft requirement in a deal worth $920 million and deliver from 2026. The company has also secured the sale of 48 FA-50 light fighter jets to Poland in 2022.
Raytheon Technologies global spectrum dominance president Annabel Flores said compact AESA radar is smaller, lighter, and requires less power than previous systems.
“Outfitting the FA-50 with the PhantomStrike radar upgrades the capability of a critical aircraft, providing unparalleled performance in a compact, affordable package,” she said.
“All while keeping these jets fast, agile, and easy to maintain.
“Threats on the battlefield always evolve, and PhantomStrike makes it possible for KAI to offer high-performance fire control radar capabilities that can integrate with US and international weapon systems, so FA-50 customers maintain air dominance.”
Production of the radars will take place in the US and Scotland with support from Raytheon UK, with initial deliveries scheduled in 2025.
