ADEX 2015: LIG Nex1 says K-SAAM on track to enter RoKN service by 2018

[Zarvan]

LIG Nex1 displayed its under-development Korean Surface-to-Air Anti-Missile (K-SAAM, or SAAM) at ADEX 2015 in Seoul. Source: IHS/James Hardy
The ship-based Korean Surface-to-Air Anti-Missile (K-SAAM, or SAAM) system is halfway through operational test firing and on track to enter surface with the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) in 2018, officials from manufacturer LIG Nex1 said at the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2015.

The K-SAAM programme began in 2011 with operational test firing starting in 2013, one of the missile's designers told IHS Jane's in Seoul. LIG Nex1 has held 22 operational test firings and expects to hold about 10 more before a contract is signed with the Defence Acquisition Programme Agency, which manages all defence acquisitions in South Korea, in late 2016 or early 2017.

The medium-range system is intended to protect the RoKN's surface fleet from anti-ship cruise missiles and aircraft, and will replace the short-range Raytheon Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) in providing close-in ship defence, LIG Nex1 officials said.

The 2.07 m long K-SAAM employs inertial mid-course guidance and a dual microwave and imaging infrared seeker for terminal guidance. It is housed in a four-cell vertical launch system (VLS), four of which are intended to be fitted to RoKN ships, giving 16 missiles per ship. It can also be retrofitted to existing VLS already in service, the officials said.

Officials declined to disclose its range or speed, but pointed to its jet vane assembly and imaging infrared seeker as major technical accomplishments that they saw as improvements on the RAM.

The RoKN first ordered RAM systems in 1999 under a USD24.9 million order covering the supply of three Mk 49 guided missile launching systems (GMLSs) for its initial batch of three KDX-2 destroyers. It is also fitted to the RoKN's KDX-3 destroyers, Incheon-class frigates, and Dokdo amphibious assault ship.

As well as eventually replacing RAM on these ships, K-SAAM will also be fitted to the RoKN's minehunters, LIG Nex1 officials said.

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ADEX 2015: LIG Nex1 says K-SAAM on track to enter RoKN service by 2018 - IHS Jane's 360