South Korea Presents Supersonic Air-to-Ground Missile

27 October, 2024 South Korean supersonic air-to-ground missile. Photo credits: ??? ?? A supersonic air-to-ground missile was presented in South Korea during the Sachon Air Show.

This is reported by the Biz.hankook website. This missile is designed for use with FA-50 light strike fighters, as well as with the latest 4.5-generation KF-21 aircraft. It is intended both for export and to enhance the missile aviation capabilities of the South Korean Air Force.

It is planned that the missile will enhance South Korea's air strike capabilities, which currently include Cheonryong missiles and the German Taurus cruise missile. The missile uses a high-precision module and is equipped with a direct-flow jet engine that provides a speed of about Mach 2.5 and a range of up to 300 km.

The missile is expected to be capable of using various guidance systems. Korean experts are considering the possibility of installing both an active homing head and an electro-optical one that combines an infrared seeker. According to information published by the Defense Development Agency, the missile is being developed from 2022 to 2026, which currently makes it unavailable to potential customers.

South Korean supersonic air-to-ground missile.

Photo credits: ??? ??

In 2025, three flight tests are expected to be conducted to confirm the declared characteristics of the missile and correct possible problems. Hanwha Aerospace will be involved in the production of the prototype missile, which will also integrate the missile into the FA-50 aircraft's weapon system. Previously, Militarnyi reported that DAPA signed a £1.4 billion contract with KAI (Korea Aerospace Industries) to produce 20 South Korean KF-21 aircraft.

KAI stated that the signing of the agreement marks the "beginning of full-scale production" of KF-21 fighters.

Currently, there are only six prototypes of the aircraft.