Korean Air Monthly Video Newsletter, January 2012

Korean Air isto launch direct flights between Incheon International Airport in Seoul and DaNang starting from 19th January 2012 with two flights per week.

KoreanAir’s new service to Da Nang, the airline’s third destination in Vietnam, willbe operated by B737-800 aircraft with a total capacity of 145 seats. The flightwill depart Seoul Incheon every Thursday and Sunday at 19:00 and will arrive inDa Nang at 22:10 on the same day. The return flight will depart Da Nang at 23:20every Thursday and Sunday and will return to Seoul Incheon at 05:30 on the nextday. With the launch of this new route, Korean Air connects passengers from alldestinations worldwide to Da Nang via Incheon International Airport, its award winning hub, while offeringutmost comfort and ease during the journey.

Da Nang,Vietnam's third largest city after Ho Chi Min (in the south) and Hanoi (in thenorth), is rich with cultural heritage; as well as with a setting ofspectacular natural beauty, this popular tourist attraction is renowned for itsluxury resorts and restaurants in ‘Non Nuoc’ beach looking over pure whitesandy beach and the sea.

The city alsohas more tourist attractions such as ‘Hue’, a former capital of Vietnam, and‘Hoi An’, an ancient town - both of which are designated by UNESCO as WorldHeritages of Vietnam. Whether a traveler is looking for a luxurious retreat, ora cultural journey, Da Nang is the answer to all.

Korean Aircurrently operates 18 flights a week between Seoul and Vietnam, including the 7flights per week service on the Incheon-Hanoi route and the 11 flights per weekservice on the Incheon-Ho Chi Min route. With the addition of the Incheon-DaNang route, Korean Air will now fly to Vietnam 20 times a week, covering the threelargest cities in North, South and Central area.

This newroute further demonstrates the airline’s continued commitment to passengers –offering its extensive global network with a wider range of options for each ofits passengers, delivering true “Excellence in Flight”.

KOREAN AIR RECEIVES WORLD TRAVEL AWARD 2011 WORLD’S MOST INNOVATIVE AIRLINE 


January 12, 2012 - KOREAN AIR, last night 11 January, received the accolade of being named the World’s Most Innovative Airline at The World Travel Awards Grand Final Ceremony 2011, held in Doha, Qatar.Founded in 1993 and described as the 'Oscars' of the travel and tourism industry, the evening marks the culmination of a year-long search for the very best travel and tourism brands in the world, and awarded the winners from WTA’s regional heats. The award was received by, Korean Air’s Managing VP for Europe, Middle East & Africa, Mr. Jaeho Kim who said: “Korean Air is honoured to be recognised for the efforts we have made in changing the way our customers view air travel. We are particularly proud of the innovation shown in the unique design of our A380 aircraft – the business class only deck, the Duty Free Showcase and the Celestial Bar all add to a memorable inflight experience for our passengers and a return to the days when flying was glamorous!”Manon Han, Executive Vice President, World Travel Awards, said: “The past year has been one of the most challenging yet for aviation, however, Korean Air has bucked the trend and gained market share by providing travellers with ground-breaking levels of service. For this reason, Korean Air has been named ‘World’s Most Innovative Airline’ by World Travel Awards.”2011 was the year Korean Air introduced the magnificent A380 aircraft to its fleet and proved beyond a doubt that it is a truly innovative airline. Choosing to create a spacious environment for its passengers, the A380 has only 407 seats and Korean Air was the first airline to announce that the entire upper deck would be devoted to the business traveller with just 94 ‘Prestige’ business class seats. This year also marked the debut of Korean Air’s unique and stylish on-board Celestial Bar in addition to its Duty Free Showcase which was fitted into all A380 interiors to provide passengers with the ultimate on-board experience.

23 Desember 2011

Cheongung medium range SAM, can reach target at 40km range (photo : Defense Update)

South Korea unveils a new medium-range surface-to-air missile the Cheongung M-SAM

In December 2011, South Korea unveils its new new medium-range surface-to-air missile. The Cheongung missile will be deployed from 2013. In the second phase from next year until 2018, the ADD plans to turn the Cheongung into a ballistic interceptor missile, which would lay the groundwork for a Korean version of the Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC)-3.

Staff of the Agency for South Korean Defense Development demonstrate the Cheongung surface-to-air missile at the Daejeon headquarters of the Army.

South Korea Korea is the fifth country after Russia, France, Taiwan and Japan to have developed such a weapon. The U.S. is currently developing a high-tech medium-range surface-to-air missile in cooperation with Italy and Germany, under the name of MEADS (Medium Extended Air Defense Missile Systems).

The new SAM called ‘Cheongung’ (Iron Hawk) can intercept targets at altitude up to 15 km and at a range of about 40 km. LIG Nex1 plans to begin production in 2012 and according to the original schedule, begin replacing the first MIM-23 Hawk batteries beginning 2013.

Following the induction of the new Cheongung Seoul plans to offer the missile for export. Seoul estimates the market potential of such missiles at over US$2.3 billion. Apparently, the Russian Company that developed the system, Almaz Antey, thought the same as they kept the program alive after transferring the prototypes to Korea. The Russian version known as Vityaz could be ready to replace first generation S-300PS (5V55R) missiles, covering a similar intercept envelope, by the end of their service in 2015.

The South Korean Agency for Defense Development began development of the Cheongung in 2006, but started research in 2001 based on Russia's S-400 missile system. In cooperation with Russia, a Korean engineering team replaced a massive Russian radar system with a small device, which can be installed on a truck. The team also began research on a missile propulsion system based on the small Russian-made 9M96 missile. The radar is installed at the head of the missile to let it trace its own target.

(Army Recognition)

01 Desember 2011

KS-550A Mini-Sub concept for RoKN (all photos : Network54)

South Korea's Agency for Defence Development (ADD) has unveiled an innovative mini-submarine concept - known as the KSS 500A - for the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN).

The 37 m-long craft is intended to form the basis for a replacement of the two surviving Dolgorae-class mini-submarines, which entered service in the early 1980s. Design work is believed to have started in 2008 and the ADD is now selecting key systems suppliers.

According to a model and accompanying data released at the Marine Week 2011 exhibition in Busan in early November, the KSS 500A has a beam of 4.5 m, surfaced displacement of 510 tons and maximum diving depth of 250 m.

Notably, there are no onboard electrical generators; all electrical power is provided instead by two banks of lithium ion batteries. While the Dolgarae-class boats require frequent snorkelling, the KSS 500A is designed to require minimal snorkelling during a typical three-week patrol.

The streamlined sail houses up to four masts for electro-optic, radar, satellite communications and electronic security measures systems, and there is a fifth - modular payload - mast for launching small unmanned aerial vehicles.

The pressure hull has four compartments: combat information centre, machinery room, special forces area and accommodation/messing. Weapons and sonars are installed in the forward section, while the integrated electric motor with coaxial flexible payload module (FPM) occupies the aft section.

Control surfaces include two bow-mounted dive planes and an X-shaped stern. A podded motor, stator and rotor propel the submarine at a cruise speed of 5-7 kt, although a sprint speed of 20 kt is possible. However, the endurance of 21 days and range of 2,000 n miles at low speeds are severely curtailed at higher speeds.

Although the boat can be operated by a crew of five, the design complement is 10 persons using a two-watch system. Up to 14 special forces personnel can also be embarked. The FPM at the stern allows the deployment of divers, swimmer delivery vehicles and unmanned underwater vehicles.

Armament comprises tubes for two heavyweight torpedoes and four lightweight torpedoes, located close to a payload interface module containing two box launchers: one for vertical-launch missiles, the other for mines. The KSS 500A is considerably larger than the Dolgorae-class boats. Built amid much secrecy, three Dolgoraes were commissioned in 1982-83 with pennant numbers 051-053. The legacy craft are about 25 m in length with a surfaced displacement of 250 tons. It is understood that five new mini-submarines are required by the RoKN, although induction timelines could not be ascertained.

(Jane's)

27 Oktober 2011

KFX variant in Seoul Air Show 2011 (all photos : Stephen Trimble)

In a seminar today at the Seoul Air Show, South Korean government officials outlined the strategy and plans for the KF-X, a twin-engined stealth fighter with a design goal of achieving manoeuvrability, speed and range performance between a Lockheed Martin F-16 and a Boeing F-15.

South Korea wants to develop the KF-X over the next nine years, with mass production beginning after 2020. Indonesia has already joined the programme, and talks with Turkey are continuing.

If developing an all-new stealth fighter is not enough of a challenge, South Korea also intends to equip the KF-X with a set of all-new weapons, including indigenous missiles in the Raytheon AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM class, guided bombs and an anti-ship missile. South Korean officials have released a development budget estimate of about US$5 billion, which seems (wildly?) optimistic.

KF-X has previously been pictured with canards, but that concept was nowhere in today's presenations. Instead, the KF-X appears to have morphed into a more conventional fighter. It appears similar a two-engine variant of the Lockheed F-35. This is Korea's vision for the KF-X. Eurofighter presented an alternative vision of KF-X, which I will present later.

(DEWLine-FlightGlobal)

See Also :

Sneak-Peek of K-FX Cockpit

19 Oktober 2011

Tucked into a corner of the Samsung Thales exhibit booth was a small room labeled "Next Generation Aircraft Display". Inside was a demonstration cockpit, and a clue to one of the key pieces of South Korea's indigenous K-FX stealth fighter.

An attendant who spoke only slightly more English than we can speak Korean seemed to express that this was a new KF-16 cockpit. But the image on the large area display showing a fighter with canards and a canted tail gave the secret away. This was the locally developed cockpit concept for the fighter South Korea hopes to develop by 2020.

(DEWline-FlightGlobal)

19 Oktober 2011

EJ200 is the powerplant for the Eurofighter Typhoon (photo : Eurofighter)

Seoul is tentatively exploring engine options for its proposed Korea Fighter Experimental (KF-X) programme, with the Eurojet consortium putting forward its EJ200 powerplant.

According to industry sources at the Seoul air show, the South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration has issued requests for information to Eurojet for its EJ200 and to General Electric for its F414.

"We are offering the EJ200 as it is for KF-X, and would allow them to manufacture 60% of the engine," said Eurojet vice-president sales Paul Herrmann.

"This would involve 60% technology transfer, and help make them self-sustaining."

He added that it was up to Seoul to decide what 60% of the engine it would produce locally, adding that it seems particularly interested in full authority digital engine control technology.

The EJ200 is the powerplant for the Eurofighter Typhoon (above), a contender in South Korea's F-X III competition for 60 fighters. Herrmann stressed that the EJ200 offer for KF-X is not associated with Eurofighter's F-X III campaign. The F414 powers the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.

Though the KF-X is likely to require 50,000lb (220kN) of thrust, Seoul has yet to decide if this will be achieved with two engines of the EJ200 and F414 size, or with a single larger engine such as the Pratt & Whitney F135, which powers the Lockheed Martin F-35.

P&W has not received an RFI in relation to KF-X, but said it would be willing to explore the possibility if approached. P&W is the dominant powerplant supplier for the Republic of Korea Air Force, with its F100 engines powering the 21 Boeing F-15Ks obtained under the F-X II competition, as well as the service's fleet of Lockheed KF-16s.

The KF-X is intended as an F-16 replacement. Although Seoul has been interested in the programme for some time, it was only in July that Korea Aerospace Industries and the government signed a contract to develop the aircraft. Indonesia is also part of the programme, with the two governments opening a combined research and development centre in August.

On 14 July, Indonesia's Antara official news agency said Jakarta would participate in the programme, contributing 20% of the development costs. The two partners have agreed to produce 150 to 200 units, of which Indonesia would get 50.

Industry sources have said Washington is highly dubious about the KF-X programme. It may be wary of providing advanced technologies for an aircraft that is being co-produced with Indonesia, a country that has been subject to US arms sanctions in the past.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a US government official has also said KF-X will place a tremendous strain on South Korea's research capabilities and defence budget, resulting in a fighter less effective than others available in the international market.

(Flight Global)

04 Agustus 2011

KFX K-200 model (image : chosun)

The door is open for another country or foreign firm to participate in Seoul’s initiative to develop a new combat aircraft with a budget of $5 billion, defense officials here said.

“Many countries, including the United Arab Emirates, have shown interest in investing in the project,” Noh Dae-lae, head of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration Commissioner, said Tuesday.

“We are planning to allow another country with the most attractive offer to join the KF-X program.

”The KF-X program refers to the multirole fighter development program that Seoul has pursued since 2000 to replace its aging F-4/5 fighter jets.

Indonesia pledged last year to invest $1 billion in the project and buy 50 KF-X fighters for allowing its researchers to participate in development.

Noh made the remarks at the kickoff ceremony of the KF-X project’s feasibility study to be jointly conducted with Jakarta, which will also shoulder 20 percent of the $50 million initial study costs.

Thirty-five Indonesian researchers will team up with 137 Korean experts for the exploration stage which is scheduled for completion with the selection of a prototype at the end of 2012.

Noh noted that he expects another KF-X partner to share up to 29 percent of the development costs and purchase some 150 new fighters in return for joining the consortium.

“The global trend is clearly moving toward joint development as the risk for the development of an advanced fighter is high despite the limited market,” he said.

Industry sources say Poland and Turkey have also expressed an interest in forging a partnership with Korea for the program.

American defense giant Lockheed Martin, which invested 13 percent in Korea’s development of T-50 supersonic trainer jets, is also apparently considering participating in the Seoul-led fighter jet development program.

“We’d be honored to be a partner in the KF-X program,” Stephen O’Bryan, a vice president of Lockheed Martin, said last month.

Lee Dae-yeorl, program director of the Combined Research and Development Center for the KF-X, said he would welcome industry participation from the world’s leading aerospace firms.

“We believe defense firms, such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing and European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS) can help us reduce the technology gap,” he said.

He said Seoul aims to develop an indigenous aircraft with limited stealth capabilities and a locally developed active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar system.

“We’ll develop a whole new fighter never seen anywhere else in the world,” Lee said.

He noted that the cost per KF-X jet is estimated at $55 million and its production aircraft is expected to be deployed from 2020.

Critics, however, say the future of the KF-X program remains uncertain as Korea plans to drop the $5 billion plan if it fails to attract foreign investment of 40 percent or above.

(Korea Times)

03 Agustus 2011

Boeing 737-700 Peace Eye AEW&C (photo : Airliners)

South Korea has received the first of four Boeing 737-700 Peace Eye airborne early warning & control (AEW&C) aircraft.

The aircraft was delivered to Gimhae air force base, 450km (250 miles) southeast of Seoul, after a flight fromBoeing's production facility in Seattle, said the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).

DAPA will conduct flight tests on the aircraft before passing it to the Republic of Korea Air Force in September.

The aircraft has already undergone mission system flight testing in the US. The remaining three aircraft are being modified by Korea Aerospace Industries at its Sacheon facility. They will be delivered in 2012.

"The 737 AEW&C gives Korea a powerful capability for airborne surveillance, communications and battle management," said Boeing. "It also provides increased security for the Korean peninsula against today's threats and threats in the future."

The 737 AEW&C features Northrop Grumman's unique approach to achieving 360° radar coverage. The multi-role electronically scanned array (MESA) radar includes two side-looking arrays, as well as a top-hat array that uses "endfire" techniques to steer the radar beam forward and aft of the aircraft.

"The so-called 'top hat' portion of the MESA radar provides a practical solution for fore and aft coverage, while maintaining the low drag profile of the dorsal array system," said Boeing. "This allows the system to be installed on the mid-size 737-700 platform, without significant impact on aircraft performance."

According to DAPA, a single Peace Eye can monitor the entire Korean peninsula. It can track up to 1,000 airborne or surface targets simultaneously, while also directing combat operations. It carries a flight crew of two and a mission crew of six to 10.

Seoul signed a $1.6 billion deal for the four aircraft in 2006. It is the second customer for the AEW&C variant of the 737-700 commercial airliner in the Asia Pacific region, after Australia.

Australia obtained four of the type under its Wedgetail programme, with initial operating capability expected in December.

Turkey has also purchased four of the aircraft under its Peace Eagle programme.

(FlightGlobal)

15 Juni 2011

Surion medium lift helicopter (photo : Defense Times)

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Eurocopter have established an export company to promote export sales of the KAI-built Surion helicopter.

The joint venture, KAI-EC Surion Export Company, was established in February and has a majority stake (51%) held by KAI while the remainder is held by Eurocopter.

The organisation believes that the partnership with Eurocopter will give the aircraft the best opportunity of gaining entry into the market, which KAI says has 'high barriers to entry'.

The JV will also take advantage of the marketing infrastructure and expertise established by Eurocopter.

Using Eurocopter's market outlook, the joint venture believes it secure an export market for as many as 400 Surion helicopters. The type will be competing alongside the AW149 and the UH-60M for export customers.

The 8.7 ton Surion was designed by KAI in co-operation with Eurocopter and has been developed to replace the existing utility helicopters in the South Korean Army fleet including UH-1Hs and MD500s. The Surions will be tasked with troop assault, search and rescue, tactical lift, liaison and medical evacuation operations and other missions.

The first flight was carried out in March 2010 and the South Korean government has since given the green light for production to begin in September 2012, with the first deliveries expected in 2013.

(Shephard)

map of south korea. picture via lonelyplanet

Cheongju International Airport (Location : Cheongju) ; Daegu International Airport (Location : Daegu) ; Gimpo International Airport (Location : Gimpo) ; Incheon International Airport (Location : Incheon) ; Jeju International Airport (Location : Jeju) ; Muan International Airport (Location : Muan) ; Gimhae International Airport (Location : Busan) ; Yangyang International Airport (Location : Yangyang); Gwangju Airport (Location : Gwangju)

03 Mei 2011

After 2018 South Korea plans to build 3,000-ton heavy attack submarines equipped with vertical launching systems that allow a variety of weapons, including long-range cruise missiles, to be deployed. (image : DSME)

Vertical launching system for attack subs developed

Korea has developed a vertical launching system (VLS) to be installed on 3,000-ton heavy attack submarines to be deployed after 2018, according to a shipbuilding industry source, Monday.

Hyundai Heavy Industries and Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering are subcontractors for the heavy attack submarines.

It is the first time that the development of a submarine VLS in Korea has been confirmed. The Agency for Defense Development (ADD) has already developed one used aboard the 7,600-ton KDX-III Aegis destroyer.

A VLS is a modern type of missile-firing system used aboard submarines and surface vessels of several navies around the world. When installed on an attack submarine, a VLS allows a greater number and variety of weapons to be deployed in comparison to using only torpedo tubes.

Following the development of the VLS for subs, top shipbuilders in Korea and the ADD are also on track to develop an indigenous horizontal tube to launch torpedoes, cruise missiles and mines, the source said.

“The development of a vertical launching system has already been completed, while the development of a horizontal launching system is still under way,” the source told The Korea Times, asking not to be identified. “Developing the horizontal launching tube requires more sophisticated technology than the VLS development.

Cheonryong long range cruise missile (photo : Chosun)

”The VLS would be used in launching long-range cruise missiles at key targets in North Korea.

The ADD has developed the 500-kilometer-range, ship-launched Cheonryong, which is a modified variant of the surface-to-surface Hyunmoo III-A ballistic missile. The missile range could be extended up to 1,000 kilometers, according to military sources.

The Cheonryong missiles are believed to have already been modified to be installed on Type-214 subs.

South Korea has successfully developed the Hyunmoo III-C surface-to-surface ballistic missile with a maximum range of 1,500 kilometers, following the deployment of the 1,000-kilometer-range Hyunmoo III-B.

With the VLS development, Korea would have an advantage in selling its submarines overseas in the future, the source added.

Currently, the South operates nine 1,200-ton, Type-209 submarines and three 1,800-ton, Type-214 submarines. They are all diesel- and electric-powered and were all built with technical cooperation from HDW of Germany.

As Germany restricts the transfer of key submarine technology, such as launching tubes, Korea would have difficulty exporting any of those locally-built submarines.

The Navy plans to deploy at least three more Type-214 submarines in the years to come.

Beginning in 2018, Seoul plans to build 3,000-ton KSS-III submarines fitted with domestically-built submarine combat systems aimed at automating target detection, tracking, threat assessment and weapons control.

The heavy attack sub will be armed with indigenous ship-to-ground cruise missiles and be capable of underwater operations for up to 50 days with an upgraded Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system.

(Korea Times)

29 Maret 2011

K2 main battle tank (photo : Military Today)

SEOUL, (UPI) -- South Korea is developing an active protection system to defend its K-2 tanks from rockets and missiles, the country's Ministry for Defense said.

South Korea's Agency for Defense Development recently made public the image of the APS launcher, along with a 70mm system's guided rocket at a defense science and technology exhibition in Hawaii that was organized by the U.S. Pacific Command.

K2 active protection system (image : Military Review)

South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration said the new system has been under development since 2006 with a budget of $36 million. The project is scheduled for completion this year.

The APS features a 3-D detection and tracking radar, a heat-detection and tracking system, a control computer, a launching system and counter rocket, the agency said.

A two-shot launcher developed for the South Korean Active Protection System (APS) protecting the K-2 main battle tank. (photo : ADD)

The agency said will only take 0.2 to 0.3 seconds for the system to detect and track anti-tank missiles and rockets fired at a tank and fire counter-rockets at incoming missiles.

The system's 70mm rocket has an image infrared and guided control system.

(UPI)

14 Maret 2011

MD 500 - light strike helicopter, used by the Republic of Korea Army (photo : Militaryphotos)

SEOUL - South Korea plans to create an elite Marine aviation unit equipped with scores of helicopters in a bid to bolster its forces near the tense sea border with North Korea, an official said March 13.

"We have 11 helicopter pilots to aid the Marine Corps' operations, but now we are trying to make it bigger to create a whole aviation squadron," South Korea's defense ministry spokesman said, not elaborating further.

Yonhap news agency said the unit for elite commandos will feature about 40 helicopters and begin operations in 2017 or 2018, citing a Seoul military source.

"We plan to equip our locally developed Surion helicopters with weapons to deploy them to the Marine Corps," Yonhap quoted an official of Joint Chiefs of Staff as saying.

The South Korean military is seeking to boost its number of Marines, currently at 27,000, by several thousand as part of a plan to beef up forces along its sea border with the North.

Cross-border ties collapsed after Pyongyang's alleged sinking of a Seoul warship that killed 46 sailors in March 2010 on the Yellow Sea, a scene of deadly inter-Korea naval clashes in 1999 and 2002.

Tensions were further heightened by the North's shelling of a nearby frontier island in November that killed two civilians and two Marines, and sparked brief fear of war.

Some 5,000 Marines are stationed at islands near the sea border with the North off the west coast. The military plans to deploy additional 1,200 troops to the flashpoint region later this year, Yonhap said.

(Defense News)

10 Februari 2011


In the ADEX 2009 Korea unveils light attack helicopter KAH based on KUH (photo : Koreansentry)

JAKARTA, (Xinhua) -- Indonesia's plane company PT Dirgantara Indonesia will develop a light attack helicopter and military cooperation with South Korea, a top executive said here on Thursday.
"We are in cooperation with the Indonesian Army to develop a light attack helicopter that could be used to confront separatist and smugglers," said Budi Santoso, president director of PT Dirgantara Indonesia in a parliamentary hearing.


He said that characteristic of the helicopter is different from MI35 that is designed for opened battle in which noise is not important. "The most important element of the light attack helicopter is its low noise while flying. We don't need helicopters like MI35 that its noise could be heard from a distance of 10 kilometers," Santoso said.

He also said that the Defense Ministry and its South Korean counterpart are developing a program named the Korean Fighter Program (KFP). "This is our opportunity to upgrade our skill and to grow new expertise, mainly in engineering," he said.

According to Santoso, general lifetime of a plane is about 20- 30 years.

"However, during the lifetime, we need maybe twice or three times of upgrade on weaponry and avionic system. If we have the expertise, we could upgrade it according to our needs," he said.


(Xinhua)

26 Januari 2011

Korea's T/A-50 light attack variant of the T-50 Golden Eagle (photo : KAI)

Korea Aerospace Industries has rolled out the first production T/A-50, the light-attack variant of the T-50 Golden Eagle advanced jet trainer.

The South Korean air force has ordered 22 T/A-50s for lead-in fighter and ground-attack training, says an industry source. These will be delivered by the end of 2012.

Virtually identical to the T-50, the T/A-50 (above) is equipped with a three-barrelled 20mm cannon with 200 rounds. It can also carry air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons and has an ITT EL-2032 mechanically scanned radar.

The T/A-50 has achieved weapons certification for the Raytheon AGM-65 Maverick (above) air-to-ground and AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, although it is not certificated to use the latest AIM-9X variant.

In 2013, following the end of T/A-50 production, KAI hopes to transition to building its developmental F/A-50, which could begin testing in 2012. Seoul has committed to buying 60 F/A-50s and could eventually order up to 150 to replace its air force's Northrop F-5Es.

(Flight Global)

14 Januari 2011

South Korea's CN-235 (photo : Airliners)

Elisra Electronic Systems has won a $29 million deal to supply the South Korean air force with airborne electronic warfare suites and missile warning systems for its Airbus Military CN-235 transports. The equipment will provide protection against various threats, the Israeli company says.

South Korea has an active fleet of 20 CN-235s, saysFlightglobal's MiliCAS database.

F/A-50 strike aircraft (photo : Defense Studies)

Elisra has signed similar deals with South Korea in recent years. In 2009 Seoul awarded it a $25 million contract to supply an integrated electronic warfare suite for its air force fleet of Lockheed Martin C-130H tactical transports.

In the same year the company also received a $7 million contract to provide EW equipment for four prototypes of the Korea Aerospace Industries F/A-50 strike aircraft, including an advanced radar warning receiver and chaff and flare dispensers.

Elbit Systems owns 70% of Elisra and Israel Aerospace Industries 30%.

(Flight Global)

– Korean Air, South Korea’s flagship airline, announced today its financial results for the second quarter of 2010 ended June 30, 2010, which hit record high in terms of the operating revenue.


Thanks to the global economic recovery which spurred demand for both international passenger travel and cargo traffic, the airline posted an operating revenue of 2,836.4 billion KRW in the second quarter of 2010, a year-on-year increase of 36.7%, the highest second-quarter revenue in Korean Air’s history. International passenger and cargo businesses remained the major revenue contributors for the airline, accounting for 47% and 36% of the operating revenue respectively. Operating profit of the airline returned to the black from a loss of 127.3 billion KRW in the second quarter of 2009 to a surplus of 352.1 billion KRW during the reporting period. Profit margin was 12.4%, a significant year-on-year improvement and another historic record.

For the six months ended June 30, 2010, the airline recorded an operating revenue of 5,435.4 billion KRW, up 25.3% year-on-year, while operating profit reached 572.3 billion KRW, up from a loss of 120.7 billion KRW comparing with the first half of 2009.

Passenger Traffic

A continuous growth was seen in the passenger traffic since the second half of 2009 as a result of the rebound of the global economy. During the reporting period, passenger traffic recorded 14,646 million RPK, which marked the highest second-quarter traffic level in Korean Air’s history.

Revenue generated from this segment posted a year-on-year increase of 25.8% to 1,486 billion KRW. Rapid growth of leisure travel demand for short-haul routes such as China, Japan and Southeast Asian regions, together with the benefits brought by the visa waiver program for Korean passengers to the US regions, helped to boost international passenger revenue by over 25% in those regions. Among all international routes, China recorded the biggest growth of 50% in passenger revenue.

Cargo

Attributable to the increasing exports of IT products (such as LCDs, semi-conductors and cell phones), cargo traffic reached 2,503 million FTK, up 26.2% year-on-year, the highest quarterly growth record for Korean Air. Cargo traffic to Europe more than doubled, and cargo traffic to the Americas and Japan nearly doubled during the reporting period. Revenue generated from this segment posted a year-on-year increase of 86.4% to 1,020.2 billion KRW.

Korean Air will continue to expand its business prudently while enhancing the quality of its service. With its long-standing commitment to achieving “Excellence in Flight”, Korean Air aims to provide the best quality to its customers while bringing the best returns to its shareholders.

* Exchange rate on June 30, 2010: 1 US Dollar = [1210.30] KRW

Korean Air launches its own Android Application service from July 29 to users worldwide. The Korean Air Android Application will allow the traveling public to verify and search up-to-the minute flight and airline information with just one touch, similar to the Korean Air iPhone Application launched in May.

Services available through this application, like the iPhone, include flight status check, schedules and availability check, current reservation information, ticket fares and SKYPASS mileage records.

Plus, Korean Air has added a special menu that links directly to the Korean Air travel site (travel.koreanair.com). The site contains many useful travel information including Korean Air’s TV ad for Europe, “Listen to Eastern Europe”, which is a sound tour guide for famous Eastern Europe tour destinations.

To enjoy this privileged service, customers can simply download the free application from the Android market. This application is available in multiple languages including Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese for users all around the world.

With the increasing number of worldwide smartphone users, Korean Air will continuously upgrade its smartphone application services through supplementing additional functions such as seat reservations and pre-seat assigning to increase passenger’s comfort.

Korean Air’s iPhone Application which was launched in May 17 has been downloaded by more than 120,000 users worldwide.

Korean Air has further enhanced its award wining flight service with the deployment of next generation aircraft on its mid and long-haul routes to combat carbon emissions and to provide even greater comfort for passengers.

Korean Air today has started deploying on select routes the A330-200 Enhanced aircraft, one of Airbus’ main models which offer enhanced features such as better fuel efficiency, lower CO2 emissions and an expanded range of cabin facilities.

The new A330-200 Enhanced next generation aircraft can carry up to 226 passengers and has a range of added features to improve passenger experience. Installed with a PW4170 Advantage70™ engine, the aircraft offers maximum fuel efficiency and can reduce CO2 emissions by about 650 tons each year.

In addition, Korean Air’s premium seats and state-of-the-art AVOD system are available in all classes, providing customers with the most enjoyable air travel experience. Additional cabin services used to be found only on B777-300ER aircraft such as mood lights, real time visuals of taking off and landing, and LED reading lamp are now available on this aircraft.

A part from the new aircraft unveiled today, Korean Air will add five more A330-200 Enhanced aircraft by 2013 to its mid and long-haul destinations such as Mumbai (India), Tel Aviv (Israel), Melbourne (Australia) and Nandi (Fiji).

Prior to the delivery of the A330-200 Enhanced, Korean Air has adopted six B777-300ER next generation aircraft with upgraded efficiency since last May. Together with the completion of cabin refurbishment in its current B777s and A330s fleets, Korean Air is able to continue to provide passengers with unmatched services in its class.

Korean Air’s commitment to service excellence has won it six A330 Awards for Top Operational Excellence awards since 2000, a testament to the airline’s top class operating, maintenance and safety standards.