As the government and Prototype Company begin a project to develop an engine with a capacity of 16,000 lbf (pound-force, a unit of engine output), forecasts indicate that securing technology will not be easy. Currently, there are only about 400 individuals involved in domestic aerospace engine research and development, highlighting the need to expand the workforce.
According to military authorities and the defense industry on the 27th, a domestic defense company has recently explored the possibility of jointly developing an engine with the world's largest aircraft manufacturer, but it is reportedly facing difficulties due to U.S. government restrictions over concerns about the international leakage of aerospace technology. The engine in question was developed in the 1980s. The aerospace engine field is noted as challenging for obtaining references since those with technology do not file patents due to concerns of leaks.
The U.S. Department of State regulates exports under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). This is a sub-regulation of the Arms Export Control Act, containing guidelines for the export licenses of military goods, technology data, and military items. It serves as the regulatory basis for managing the import and export of defense materials and technologies.
The United States has not sold a single F-22, known as the most powerful fighter jet, to even its allies. Instead, the U.S. plans to develop a sixth-generation fighter to be deployed in real combat by 2030. The F-22 is equipped with two engines rated at 25,000 lbf. The internal temperature of this engine can rise to 2,200 degrees. A Defense Acquisition Program Administration official noted, "The performance is far superior to the engine South Korea is trying to develop. In the field of engines, South Korea is roughly 50 years behind."
Another government official stated, "We need to either obtain trade secrets in the form of technical data or learn from overseas corporations' researchers, but that is not easy due to the interests of various countries. It seems that diplomatic negotiations at the state level, such as building factories in those countries, are also necessary."
The government is promoting the development of aerospace engines but is considering introducing foreign technology for aspects that take a long time to develop. The Air Force sees the 2040s as the timeline for introducing next-generation fighters, but this schedule could be moved up. The United States, Japan, and Europe are reviewing the introduction of next-generation fighters before 2040. Shim Hyun-seok, the leader of advanced aerospace engine development at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, stated, "Domestic companies do not uniformly possess technology across all fields, so for parts that seem to take a long time to develop, we are also considering the introduction of foreign technology."
The defense industry agrees that securing research personnel is essential for internalizing engine technology. According to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration's estimates, there are currently about 200 specialized aerospace engine personnel at Hanwha Aerospace and Doosan Enerbility, with around 220 at various universities. Including indirect personnel who participated in the development of gas turbine engines for industrial advancement in the past, there are about 800, but this is still only one-tenth of the workforce in the United States.
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration also collaborated with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to designate aerospace engines as a national strategic technology, raising the tax credit rate for research and development personnel expenses. A Defense Acquisition Program Administration official stated, "It is a strategic approach to secure research personnel," adding, "We believe that an additional 500 personnel will be needed in the future and will further consider ways to secure them."