[Military Tech] LIG D&A Likely to Be Named Preferred Negotiating Bidder for LRAAM

DAPA to Announce Final Selection Soon; Contract to Be Finalized by Year-End

The long-range air-to-air missile (Janggonggong) is the last major project among domestically developed weapons to be fitted on the KF-21, South Korea's homegrown fighter jet. The project is worth approximately 1.9 trillion won. Photo by LIG D&A

LIG D&A is expected to be selected as the developer of the long-range air-to-air missile (Janggonggong). The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) is expected to announce the preferred bidder as early as this week, after notifying the companies participating in the project of their evaluation scores earlier this month. Following negotiations with the preferred bidder on the project as a whole, the administration plans to finalize the contract by the end of this year.

Janggonggong is the last major project among domestically developed weapons to be fitted on the KF-21, South Korea's homegrown fighter jet. Development costs through 2033 will total 753.5 billion won, followed by 1.1471 trillion won in follow-on production costs starting in 2035, bringing the total project cost to approximately 1.9 trillion won.

Janggonggong is a highly sophisticated weapons system that must track and strike enemy aircraft maneuvering at high speeds from a distance of 110 kilometers or more. Advanced technologies, including guidance and control systems, inertial navigation systems and data links, are essential. Systems integration is also important. The missile must meet strict requirements for compact size and light weight, and must be integrated with aircraft, so the developer needs to be capable of managing its design, production and testing. LIG D&A is understood to have been rated highly for its development of a hypersonic engine and its experience developing long-range air-to-surface and short-range air-to-air missiles.

LIG D&A recently succeeded in a technical flight test of Cheonryong, a next-generation long-range air-to-surface guided missile. A technical flight test checks whether a guided missile separates from a fighter jet and flies normally under various flight conditions. On September 17, the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) successfully conducted the second technical flight test at its Haemi Test Site, following the first test in June. Four tests have been conducted so far. If the missile passes three more flight tests, it will be fitted on aircraft such as the KF-21 and used to strike key enemy facilities with precision from long range.

The long-range air-to-surface missile development project aims to produce a Korean-made missile. Under the first phase, Germany's MBDA Taurus missiles were introduced, while the second phase is to develop a domestically produced missile by 2028. Mass production is scheduled to begin in 2029, with the missile expected to be fielded in the early 2030s. The Korean long-range air-to-surface missile is a "bunker-buster" intended to strike North Korea's leadership. The military plans to first acquire around 260 Taurus missiles and develop 300 to 400 missiles using domestic technology.

Cheonryong is equipped with a precision guidance system, enabling pinpoint strikes with an error margin of just 1 to 2 meters. Its stealth capabilities have also been enhanced. Its low-altitude flight profile, stealth design and special coating make it less likely to be detected by enemy radar. Its destructive power has increased relative to its size and weight. It has a range of more than 600 kilometers and penetration capability at around 90% of that of existing missiles. Its smaller size also allows it to be mounted on all existing Air Force fighter jets, including the FA-50 light attack aircraft, KF-16 and F-15K. LIG D&A plans to apply technologies accumulated during the development of the long-range air-to-surface missile to Janggonggong as well.

LIG D&A also intends to take part in the Air Force's ongoing development of an air-launched ballistic missile boasting speeds of Mach 5 or higher, as well as a blackout missile designed to paralyze power grids. The Ure tactical surface-to-surface guided missile currently operated by the Army could be upgraded into an air-launched ballistic missile, enabling it to quickly destroy enemy air defense networks and key facilities from a distance. The company also plans to develop modular missiles that can be used on unmanned combat aircraft to meet the Air Force's future operational requirements.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.