A Florida-based defense giant is set to deliver some modified airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft to South Korea. L3Harris has received a contract to deliver Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft to the Republic of Korea Air Force.
The modified aircraft will fly faster and operate longer to improve mission readiness. The plane will also be able to cruise at higher altitudes for improved safety and provide combat-proven radar coverage to more quickly detect and track threats.
L3Harris revealed that the communications suite will provide interoperability with the United States, NATO and coalition partners, creating a networked battlespace with fifth-generation aircraft and beyond.
Advanced aircraft fleet will strengthen mission effectiveness
“L3Harris is ready to deliver an advanced aircraft fleet that will strengthen mission effectiveness for a key American ally in the Indo-Pacific region,” said Christopher Kubasik, Chair and CEO, L3Harris.
“We look forward to collaborating with the Republic of Korea to develop, test, integrate and sustain this vital capability for years to come.”
The program is valued at more than $2.26 billion. L3Harris is partnering with Bombardier, Israel Aerospace Industries’ ELTA Systems and Korean Air to provide this advanced capability.
Unmatched versatility
“We are extremely pleased that the Bombardier Global 6500 will help the Republic of Korea Air Force defend its borders with L3Harris’ solution,” said Éric Martel, President and CEO, Bombardier.
“Amid rising geopolitical tensions, this aircraft is the go-to choice for governments seeking to modernize their capabilities, with the reliability and performance to support the most demanding missions.”
The company claims that the Global 6500 aircraft delivers unmatched versatility — offering the perfect combination of range, speed, field performance and smooth ride. The result is uncompromised performance engineered to get you where you need to be in absolute comfort.
Field-proven capabilities
“Throughout this collaboration, Korean Air will strengthen its capabilities in modification, integration and maintenance for the latest special mission aircraft,” said Jin Kyu Lim, Head of Aerospace Division, Korean Air.
“As a leader in the domestic aerospace industry, we are committed to building a robust special mission aircraft sector and contributing to the nation’s defense capabilities.”
The aircraft without modification offers an impressive range of 6,600 nautical miles. The Rolls-Royce Pearl engine, purpose-built for the Global 6500 aircraft, powers it to top speeds of M 0.90. Its smooth Flĕx Wing is like an in-air shock absorber, engineered to help dampen turbulence for the industry’s smoothest ride and the best wet and dry runway performance.
“This team brings together world-class, field-proven capabilities to deliver an AEW&C solution for the Republic of Korea,” said Boaz Levy, president and CEO, IAI.
“Our team’s strategic special mission aircraft integrates innovative solutions and proven expertise, such as sensor miniaturization and advanced AESA radar technology, coupled with advanced detection and classification capabilities that enable success even in the most challenging missions.”