Korea Aerospace Industries Co., Ltd. (KAI) was selected as the preferred bidder for the second system development project for capacity enhancement of the Baekdu system being promoted by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration.

This is a project to develop the operation and mission system of a new reconnaissance aircraft to replace the Baekdu reconnaissance aircraft of the Air Force introduced in the 1990s with domestic technology.

KAI is a system development company, based on the business jet Falcon 2000LXS of Dassault of France, to be in charge of system integration of major avionics equipment, such as information collection equipment and transmission/reception system, and development of ground system and integrated system support elements for information collection system operation. do. The mission equipment development is in cooperation with LIG Nex-1.

KAI signed an MOU for aircraft support and technical cooperation with Dassault at the recently held 'Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition 2021 (ADEX)' for smooth business promotion.

The first system development project for capacity enhancement of the Baekdu system was conducted from 2011 to 2018 by the National Defense Science Research Institute, a national research institute, and the second project is promoted by the company.

KAI was highly evaluated for its business capabilities, such as development capabilities of various aircraft such as fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, experience in remodeling and improvement, and cooperative relationships with small and medium-sized companies.

This project, which was conducted through competitive bidding, was bid by KAI alone in the first bidding in mid-August, and two companies participated in the second bidding in September and the bidding was established.

KAI evaluates technology based on comprehensive system capabilities through R&D of various military aircraft such as T-50, FA-50, KUH, LAH, and KF-21, and technology know-how for remodeling and improvement of medium and large aircraft such as P-3C and E-737.

In particular, it was highly evaluated in building the domestic aviation industry ecosystem, such as coexistence with 22 domestic avionics specialists and small and medium-sized partners, and cooperation with MRO specialist KAEMS.

A KAI official said, "The performance improvement project of the Baekdu system is a core project for the development of the domestic aerospace industry, such as strengthening the military's power as well as accumulating technology and creating jobs." he said.

In March, KAI announced its future business vision for the fixed-wing business, such as advancing into the special purpose aircraft development business and expanding the aircraft performance improvement/remodeling business.

Starting with this project, KAI plans to actively participate in monitoring system establishment projects such as stand-off EW and joint moving target surveillance (ISTAR), which are scheduled to be promoted in accordance with the government's military wartime OPCON transition policy.

Based on this, it plans to secure the ability to develop medium and large aircraft, as well as trainers and fighters, and leap forward as Asia's only aerospace company with various fixed-wing platforms.