Posted on 02/01/2006 4:37:09 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
Advanced Missiles to Equip Destroyers
By Jung Sung-ki Staff Reporter
Domestically-built long-range cruise missiles will equip the Navy’s Aegis destroyers beginning in 2008, a state-funded defense agency said Tuesday.
The Agency for Defense Development (ADD) said that it plans to outfit three 7,000 ton-class destroyers with the advanced ship-to-surface missiles by 2012, an official at the agency said on condition of anonymity.
Each vessel will have 30 cruise missiles, which can fly to ranges of up to 500 kilometers, he said.
The ADD has set aside $102 million to develop the missiles since 1996 to replace Harpoon missiles produced by Boeing in the United States, formerly known as McDonnell Douglas, the official said.
U.S. manufacturing giant Lockheed Martin was awarded the contract to provide an Aegis combat system, which would make South Korea the fourth country to have the sophisticated system after the United States, Japan and Spain.
The home-made missiles will also be introduced to four 4,000-ton-class destroyers equipped with radar-evading stealth technology.
The Navy launched its fourth 4,000 ton-class destroyer, ``Wang Geon,’’ last May, under the ``KDX-II’’ program. KDX refers to Korean Destroyer Experimental.
Three 3,000 ton-class destroyers were built under the KDX-I program, while two more KDX-II hulls are scheduled to be set afloat by 2007.
The Navy embarked on its three-phased KDX program in 1986, as part of efforts to form a new ``strategic mobile fleet,’’ consisting of destroyers, submarines and anti-submarine aircraft.
The plan of building Aegis-equipped destroyers, under the KDX-III program, is part of efforts to achieve a more ``self-reliant’’ defense posture.
A cruise missile is a guided missile which uses a lifting wing and most often a jet propulsion system to allow sustained flight.
Norway & Australia also have/will have Aegis systems.
Don't forget... the Chinese have their own Aegis system.
Stolen, of course, from the US.
Axis of Terror un-ping.
"The Navy launched its fourth 4,000 ton-class destroyer, ``Wang Geon,’’ last May, under the ``KDX-II’’ program. KDX refers to Korean Destroyer Experimental."
Wang Geon? That's gotta hurt.
Well,from what I have read,the Chinese radar system was codeveloped with some Ukranian scientific institute.
Everybody have fun tonight, everybody Wang Geon tonight!
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