Northrop Grumman and LIG Nex1 signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition 2023 (ADEX 2023) to collaborate on airborne electronic warfare and targeting systems for the Republic of Korea.
“This agreement with LIG Nex1 builds on Northrop Grumman’s decades of delivering advanced defense solutions to the Republic of Korea,” said Dong Ha, chief executive, Northrop Grumman Korea.
Also announced at ADEX 23 was Northrop Grumman's new contract, awarded by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) to provide Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) solutions and technical support for the Engineering, Manufacturing and Design (EMD) phase of the Republic of Korea’s Korean Mine Countermeasures Helicopter (KMCH) program.
“Our strategic partnership with KAI to bring ALMDS technology to the KMCH program builds on our decades of commitment to deliver advanced solutions that support the Republic of Korea's Ministry of National Defense,” said Janice Zilch, vice president, multi-domain command and control (MDC2) programs, Northrop Grumman.
ALMDS is capable of untethered day or night operations, which allow it to attain high area search rates. ALMDS also provides accurate target geo-location to support follow-on neutralization of the detected mines.
“The mission of ALMDS is to detect, classify and localize floating and near-surface moored mines rapidly," said Chang-heon Han, executive vice president, rotary wing division, Korea Aerospace Industries.
"KAI is convinced that the ALMDS integration will make a significant improvement to the Republic of Korea’s Navy mine detection capabilities. The program will also enhance our strategic partnership with Northrop Grumman in the defense domain.”
The EMD phase is expected to be completed in 2027.