ADD is Developing Stealth Technology

Park Yong-deuk, the chief of Agency for Defense Development (ADD), on March 16 disclosed, “As one of the major development programs in 2004, the stealth technology that can be applied to electric wave absorbing materials for air fighters and warships is under development.”

Stealth technology is a cutting-edge technology that absorbs the enemy’s radio wave and jams it in order to prevent them from tracing weapon systems. After wrapping up the applied research to see whether or not it could be introduced to Korea in 2002, ADD stepped up to the testing stage last year.

“We will finish the testing stage by 2008 and apply the relevant technologies to actual fighting,” explained ADD, adding, “As each country conceals their own stealth technology as confidential, it is indispensable for us to develop it independently.”

Currently, the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, and Sweden are known to possess this technology, but only the U.S. has succeeded in practically introducing the technology to its weapon systems. The U.S.’ stealth air fighter was an overwhelming influence in the 1991 Gulf War.

During the next-generation fighter program in 2002, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) requested Boeing of the U.S. and Rafal of France to share the stealth technology but was rejected.

When ADD successfully develops the stealth technology, it is known that MND will test it on diverse missiles and unmanned observation aircrafts, and if this turns out positive, it will apply the technology dedicatedly to air fighters and warships.

Ho-Won Choi bestiger@donga.com