Feature Story Aerospace & Mechatronics

Hanwha Systems Helps Planes to See Further and Wider

November 5, 2018


Hanwha Systems provides integrated digital solutions for land, air, and naval defense focusing on radar, optics, and communication and command systems. With best-in-class R&D capabilities and over 1,500 patents, Hanwha Systems is now looking to go global and expand its overseas business by 30% by 2025.

Hanwha Systems boasts strong R&D and production capabilities and is looking to expand its business overseas

Hanwha Systems boasts strong R&D and production capabilities and is looking to expand its business overseas

Providing aircraft with better 'sight'

Within the Korean aerospace industry, Hanwha Systems is the leading developer of avionics technology. For example, its Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar system is a major step forward from a traditional radar.

Older airplane nose radar use a mechanical antennae to steer the radar signal, so they have a fairly narrow field-of-view and can only track one object at a time. AESA's all-digital radar system provides a much wider field-of-view and can track multiple objects simultaneously.

Hanwha Systems researchers prepare an AESA radar for testing

Hanwha Systems researchers prepare an AESA radar for testing

Taking a closer look from up above

Hanwha Systems is also developing systems and components for the Korean space program. The Korean Multi-purpose Satellite (KOMPSAT)-3A that is currently orbiting earth has an infrared sensor system on board that is from Hanwha Systems.

This is the first high-resolution infrared sensor system ever installed on a civilian satellite. With its spatial resolution of 5.5 meters, making it the highest resolution infrared sensor currently in orbit, it can conduct clear nighttime ground surveys, even though the satellite is 528 kilometers above the earth's surface.

Hanwha Systems provided the infrared sensor system Korea Multi-purpose Satellite (KOMPSAT) 3A uses for nighttime global surveys

Hanwha Systems provided the infrared sensor system Korea Multi-purpose Satellite
(KOMPSAT) 3A uses for nighttime global surveys

Although Hanwha Systems only began its foray into space-based products in 2009 and took its first firm step into space with KOMPSAT-3A, Hanwha Systems is confident in being able to take a leading role in Korea's trek into the space age.


Interview with Soojae Lee, Head of Radar and Avionics Division at Hanwha Systems Soojae Lee speaks about how the company helps aircraft operators get the full picture of what is happening in the sky Soojae Lee speaks about how the company helps aircraft operators get the full picture of what is happening in the sky

What sort of systems or components have Hanwha Systems sent into space?

Right now, KOMPSAT-3A is orbiting Earth and it has a high-resolution infrared sensor system on board that is from Hanwha Systems. Even though the satellite is 528 kilometers over the Earth's surface, has a spatial resolution of 5.5 meters, which is the highest of any infrared sensor currently in orbit.

What other space projects is Hanwha System currently engaged in?

Beginning with high-precision scientific payloads for mid-sized satellites, we have just dipped our toes in the water in regards to space-based products. There's a lot that needs to be done before that segment of our business is up and running.

Working in space also comes with the pressure of having an extremely small margin of error. In fact, we have to be practically perfect. So, we're all working hard to level up our capabilities even further.

I am hopeful as there are a lot of resources that Hanwha Systems can leverage. Two-thirds of our workforce is dedicated towards R&D and they are among the brightest minds in the world. Sending objects up into space and making sure they work perfectly is a challenge that we're eager to take on.