The Defense Acquisition Agency has inaugurated South Korea's largest facility for testing and verifying the combat system of the next-generation destroyer, KDDX, before its installation on ships.
On November 12, the agency held an opening ceremony for the KDDX Land-Based Test Site (LBTS) at the Defense Science Research Institute's Samcheok Maritime Research Center.
Attendees included Rear Admiral Lee Nam-kyu, commander of the Navy's 1st Fleet, Lee Yong-tae, head of the Navy Headquarters' Information Planning Division, Seo Hee-sun, director of the 5th Technology Research Institute at the Defense Science Research Institute, and Park Sang-soo, mayor of Samcheok, among over 100 officials.
The combat system integrates various sensors, weapons, communication, and navigation systems installed on the ship to detect, track, and respond to threats. To effectively counter diverse maritime threats, including North Korean missiles, high performance and reliability are essential.
The newly established testing facility covers approximately 6,700 square meters, making it the largest land-based testing site for naval combat systems in the country. It is expected to be fully operational by 2027, serving to comprehensively test and verify the combat system's performance before installation, identifying and addressing potential issues in advance.
Even after the KDDX combat system development is completed, the Defense Acquisition Agency plans to utilize the facility as a foundation for discovering advanced technologies applicable to domestic naval combat systems and for continuous performance improvements. This initiative aims to reduce reliance on foreign technologies and enhance the performance upgrades and export competitiveness of domestically produced naval vessels.
Jeong Jae-jun, head of the Defense Acquisition Agency's Ground Power Business Division, emphasized the significance of the facility's opening in supporting the development of the KDDX combat system and establishing a foundation for performance verification. He added, "We will actively support the evolutionary development and performance enhancement of combat systems using advanced technologies to improve our Navy's combat capabilities and strengthen the export competitiveness of K-defense."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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