South Korea has made news several times in the last few weeks as it has publicly announced upgrades to its force structure, as belligerent rhetoric from Pyongyang has continued. Most recently, South Korea selected the Raytheon Advanced Combat Radar, an active electronically scanned array radar system, for its fleet of KF-16C/D Block 52 fighters, announced Raytheon. The sale, subject to the US government’s final definition, calls for the delivery of 134 AESA units starting in late 2016, according to the company’s April 10 release. “This win ensures the Republic of Korea’s KF-16 combat aircraft remain relevant in a constantly evolving threat environment,” said Rick Yuse, president of Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems. Earlier this month, the Pentagon disclosed the potential sale of either F-35As or F-15 Silent Eagle fighters to South Korea.
The Air Force plans to add external weapons pylons on the B-1B bomber, both to increase the number of aircraft that can test hypersonic missiles and expand the Lancer’s loadout as USAF transitions to the B-21 bomber.