South Korea retires last MIM-23 HAWK SAM System, replaced with KM-SAM Cheongung

 

South Korean MIM-23 HAWK missile systems during drills. Photo c/o ROKAF.



The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has ended the use of its last ageing MIM-23 Homing All-the-Way Killer (HAWK) surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, as the service inducts more of the locally-developed KM-SAM Cheongung Block 1 medium range SAM system.

The HAWK SAM system. including the AN/TSQ-73 command and control system, has been in service with the ROKAF's Air Defense Artillery Command since 1983, with Unit 2970 being the last unit operating the ageing American SAM system within the ROKAF.

It was reported that the system's automated fire control equipment will be displayed in a museum.

The KM-SAM Cheongung, which was meant to replace the HAWK SAM system, was developed in Russia by the Almaz Design Bureau with cooperation and assistance with South Korean companies Samsung Thales, LIG Nex1 and Doosan DST.

Localized development of the system was completed in 2011, with much of the work done in South Korea using indigenous subsystems and components.

KM-SAM Cheongung Block 1 production started in 2013, with the system being in service with the ROKAF Air Defense Artillery Command since 2015 as a medium-range anti-aircraft system.

Deliveries of the KM-SAM Cheongung Block 1 has been completed on April 2020, according to the South Korean Defense Acquisition  Program Administration

The Block 1 system has a reported maximum range of around 40 kilometers, with a top speed of Mach 4.5 and an intercept ceiling up to 20 kilometers.

A typical KM-SAM Block 1 battery is composed of for transporter erector launchers (TEL) each with 8 missiles, a command and control center, and a multi-function radar system. Each system uses an 8x8 platform truck transporter. 

A Block 2 system is under development for use as an anti-missile system.




[1] Jane's
[2] Yonhap News







South Korea retires last MIM-23 HAWK SAM System, replaced with KM-SAM Cheongung South Korea retires last MIM-23 HAWK SAM System, replaced with KM-SAM Cheongung Reviewed by Asia Pacific Defense Journal on July 20, 2021 Rating: 5

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