Hanwha Systems has made its debut in the U.S. market by securing a contract to supply digital avionics for Boeing’s F-15 series fighter jets.
The company announced on Thursday that it has inked a deal to provide Boeing with its Extended Large Area Display (ELAD) for the Republic of Korea Air Force’s latest F-15K fighters and the U.S. Air Force’s F-15EX.
This breakthrough is the result of the South Korean government’s industrial cooperation efforts and defense diplomacy, coupled with Hanwha Systems’ advanced avionics technology. In November last year, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Boeing to boost domestic participation in the F-15K upgrade program.
These efforts to integrate South Korean firms into foreign supply chains have paid off, with Hanwha Systems clinching the role as the supplier for the F-15 cockpit’s large-format displays, marking its entry into the U.S. defense market.
The ELAD system developed by Hanwha Systems consolidates information previously spread across multiple instruments onto a single large screen. This integration enhances pilots’ situational awareness and mission effectiveness by providing critical cockpit information more efficiently.
Pilots can now access essential data on one intuitive display and interact with the mission computer (MC) via a touch-based interface. This operational concept is widely recognized as a cornerstone of modern fighter jet cockpit design.
The ELADs slated for export to Boeing leverage the expertise gained from developing multi-function displays (MFDs) for the KF-21 fighter, tailored to meet the specific requirements of the F-15EX’s airframe and cockpit configuration.
The F-15EX, the U.S. Air Force’s latest iteration of the F-15 platform, boasts enhanced payload capacity, extended range, and an open architecture for future upgrades. F-15 variants are currently in service with several nations, including the U.S., South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Israel, and Saudi Arabia, with ongoing cockpit modernization efforts.
This contract marks a significant milestone, potentially paving the way for broader integration of South Korean technology in future F-15 upgrade programs. For Hanwha Systems, it represents a successful execution of their export diversification strategy.
A spokesperson for Hanwha Systems stated that building on its collaboration with the South Korean government and DAPA, it aims to expand the footprint in the global avionics market. They’re committed to further advancing our ELAD technology to secure additional opportunities in U.S. F-15 upgrades and next-generation fighter programs worldwide.