Hanwha Introduces New KF-21 Engine Prototype at FIA-24

Hanwha has unveiled its first independently developed turbofan engine for the KF-21 Boramae fighter at the Farnborough International Airshow in the U.K.

The Air Zone features a prototype of this new aero-engine, developed in collaboration with the Korean government. Hanwha Aerospace states that the engine targets a thrust of 15,000 pounds, intended for the KF-21 and future uncrewed aircraft. It is marketed as comparable to GE’s F414, that currently powers the South Korean aircraft.

The GE F414 engine is an afterburning turbofan with a thrust of up to 22,000 pounds-force. It features a 3-stage fan, 7-stage high-pressure compressor, and 1-stage turbines for both high and low pressure. With a diameter of about 35 inches and a weight of around 2,445 pounds, it's used in aircraft like the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.

The new engine's development is part of South Korea's defense strategy, as outlined by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) in December 2023. Hanwha is also building a 16,530 square meter production facility in Changwon, set to open by 2025, for the licensed production of GE F414 engines for the KF-21. This is part of South Korea's $3.8 billion investment to advance domestic jet engine technology over the next decade.

On June 25, 2024, Hanwha Aerospace secured a $401 million contract with DAPA to supply engines for the KF-21 Boramae. Hanwha will deliver over 40 F414 engines, spare modules, maintenance manuals, and technical support from June 2024 to December 2027. These engines will be produced under license at Hanwha's Changwon Plant 1, benefiting from a prior agreement with GE Aerospace for local assembly and parts manufacturing.

This collaboration aims to stabilize local production, reduce costs, and enhance combat readiness for the Republic of Korea Air Force, while also developing infrastructure for engine testing and maintenance. Hanwha's long-term plan includes creating a fully indigenous 15,000 lb thrust engine for future KF-21 variants. In April 2024, Hanwha Aerospace announced the production of over 10,000 aero gas turbine engines.

Also showcased are an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, energy storage systems (ESS), hydrogen fuel cells, and electromechanical actuators (EMAs). Notably, Hanwha Systems developed the AESA radar independently and signed an export contract with Leonardo in May.

In the Space Zone, Hanwha Systems presents solutions for battlefield observation with localized synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites and real-time battlefield communication using the Eutelsat One Web Satellite, in which it invested in 2021.