LIG Nex1 has been selected as the prime contractor for the next-generation medium-range surface-to-air guided weapon 'Cheongung III (M-SAM Block-III)'.
According to the defense industry on the 28th, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) selected LIG Nex1 as the preferred negotiator for the systems integration and guided missile system integration of Cheongung III, as well as the development project of the engagement control system (ECS) known as the eyes of Cheongung III last week.
The Cheongung III development project focuses on creating a system that defends missiles at altitudes twice that of Cheongung II (15 to 20 km). More than 2 trillion won is expected to be invested from development until its operational capability in 2035.
Hanwha System, a radar specialist company, has secured the business rights for the multifunctional radar (MFR) of Cheongung III. Hanwha Aerospace has secured contracts for the launcher and warheads.
In the Cheongung III development project, Hanwha System is entering the engagement control system business, while LIG Nex1 is challenging competitors in the multifunctional radar sector. However, the roles of defense companies, which had been divided during the development process of the Korean air defense system, have remained unchanged in the Cheongung III project.
Since the mass production of Cheongung I started and the development of Cheongung II ramped up in the mid-2010s, LIG Nex1 has been responsible for ECS and system integration, while Hanwha Aerospace has been in charge of missiles and launchers. Hanwha System had overseen the radar. The same structure was applied in the L-SAM (Long-range Surface-to-Air Missile) I and II projects, which intercept enemy missiles at higher altitudes than Cheongung.