Milkor and Hanwha Systems sign agreement for AESA radar integration on Milkor 380 UAV - MILKOR Press Office

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Milkor and Hanwha Systems sign agreement for AESA radar integration on Milkor 380 UAV - MILKOR Press Office | defenceWeb

MILKOR Press Release

Milkor and Hanwha Systems sign agreement for AESA radar integration on Milkor 380 UAV 17 Jun 2025 South Korea's Hanwha Systems has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to integrate its Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) on the Milkor 380 Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Signed at the 2025 Paris Air Show this week, this partnership aims to deliver a fully integrated, export-ready surveillance and reconnaissance solution to both regional and international markets, Hanwha and Milkor said. The MoU was signed by Julian Coetzee, CEO of Milkor UAE, and Hyuck Park, Senior Vice President of Hanwha Systems' Defence Electronics Business Division. "This partnership brings together two highly capable organisations that complement one another," said Coetzee. "We are looking forward to our continued collaborative efforts with Hanwha. By combining our resources and expertise, we believe we can create great opportunities, not just in the Middle East but across international markets." "This collaboration allows us to combine Hanwha's advanced technology with Milkor's innovative platforms to deliver next-generation defence capabilities to global customers," Park said. Hanwha Systems said it brings deep expertise in AESA radar technology, having developed advanced airborne radar solutions. The integration of its SAR payload will equip the Milkor 380 with high-resolution imaging, Ground and Maritime Moving Target Indication (GMTI/MMTI), and all-weather reconnaissance capability - significantly enhancing its effectiveness in intelligence-gathering and situational awareness. Hanwha is no stranger to working with South African companies, as it contracted Paramount Aerospace to help test the AESA radar being developed for South Korea's indigenous KF-21 Boramae fighter jet. Test flights aboard a modified Boeing 737 took place from Pretoria's Wonderboom National Airport. As a MALE UAV, the Milkor 380 boasts impressive specifications, having a wingspan of 18.6 meters and a maximum take-off weight of 1 500 kilograms, making it the largest such aircraft designed and built in Africa. It is built to carry out extended operations and boasts a maximum endurance of 30 hours (when flying at 60 knots and an altitude of 10 000 feet above mean sea level) and a range of over 4 000 kilometres, making it ideal for long-range missions such as border surveillance, maritime patrols, and combat operations. The UAV is equipped with dual redundant Line of Sight (LOS) communications systems that can maintain contact with its control unit for up to 250 km, with seamless transition between Line of Sight and Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) communications, such as SATCom. Milkor has partnered with leading companies, such as Germany's Hensoldt, to integrate sophisticated sensor suites, including the ARGOS II HDT Airborne Observation System with laser designator capabilities. These sensors are designed for precision targeting in combat operations and enhance the UAV's intelligence-gathering and electronic warfare capabilities. The Milkor 380 can carry up to 220 kg of payload, including munitions, communication pods and electronic warfare systems. The Milkor 380 is powered by a four-stroke, four-cylinder turbocharged Rotax 915iS engine developing 135 hp, which gives a maximum speed of 250 km/h and cruising speed of 110-150 km/h. Payload is 220 kg (excluding fuel), with each outer wing hardpoint able to accommodate 80 kg while each inner wing hardpoint can carry 150 kg. An underbelly station is designed to accommodate the largest payload and is rated to 400 kg. The aircraft's nose is capable of housing several different electro optical/infrared and radar sensors. The Milkor 380 can be armed, and has already been displayed with Al Tariq X-series precision guided munitions, Halcon Desert Sting DS-16 guided bombs, and FZ602 laser-guided rocket launchers. A mockup of a Milkor-developed missile has also been shown under the aircraft, as Milkor is exploring in-house missile development. Annual UAV production stands at eight per year, with plans to reach sixteen units a year by 2026. Last year Milkor had half a dozen Milkor 380s under construction at its Cape Town manufacturing facility.
Issued by: Guy Martin, Johannesburg - 2025-06-17 12:06:48

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