The Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) has reportedly deployed a domestically developed radar system known as the Precision Approach Radar (PAR).
The radar is designed to enable safe landing of aircraft in high-risk operational scenarios, including adverse weather conditions, Yonhap News Agency reported citing a statement from Seoul’s state arms procurement agency Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
PAR was installed at the 1st Fighter Wing in Gwangju air base in March.
DAPA expects to deploy the radar at other key military airports in a phased manner by 2023.
Developed in 2015, PAR provides the required information to an approaching aircraft to ensure a safe landing.
The guidance system will be useful when the aircraft faces difficulties flying toward a runway due to adverse weather conditions or an instrument landing system failure.
The Korean Government and defence firm LIG Nex1 invested KRW20bn ($17.6m) for the development of the PAR system in November 2012, reported Yonhap.
According to LIG Nex1, PAR guides pilots in the final approach phase of aircraft to the airport using traffic information provided by an air traffic controller.
Pilots can leverage the guidance system to navigate the aircraft along the glide-path toward the touchpoint for a safe landing.
In November, LIG Nex1 selected Leonardo as a strategic technology partner to work jointly to address Korea’s requirement to upgrade its airborne identification friend or foe equipment.
Last month, the RoKAF received the first two Lockheed Martin-built F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters.