KDX-III Destroyer concept
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Fresh off of a win to build fiber-optic multiplexing systems for American Arleigh Burke Class DDG 110-112 AEGIS destroyers, DRS Technologies Inc.’s EW & Network Systems unit in Buffalo, NY won a $9.2 million contract to build a fiber-optic network system for the Republic of Korea Navy’s related KDX-III King Sejong Class AEGIS destroyers.

There isn’t a lot of reliable information out there concerning the KDX-IIIs, and even the South Korean Navy’s KDX-3 page is sketchy. Based on DID’s additional research…

The KDX III Sejongdaewang-Ham Class

The KDX-III is clearly intended to be a multi-purpose destroyer will full air defense, land attack, anti-shipping, and anti-submarine capabilities. It is also being designed with tactical ballistic missile defense capabilities, and important consideration if North Korea is your neighbour.

The KDX-III King Sejong Class will be significantly larger than the 5,000t KDX-IIs, with a standard displacement of over 7,600t and a full load displacement of around 10,000t – almost light cruiser size. Sometimes described as an enlarged and updated DDG-51 Arleigh Burke Class, it will also use the advanced AEGIS radar & combat system combination with the AN/SPY-1D radar, and carry 64 Mk 41 vertical launch cells.

Weapons will include RIM-116B Rolling Airframe Missile Block 1 and vertically-launched SM-2 surface-to-air missiles for anti-aircraft duries, plus a CIWS 30mm “Goalkeeper” system for close-in defense. Submarines will be faced with 16 anti-submarine “Haesung” (sea star) rockets, and two torpedo mounts in 324mm KMK 32 configuration. Other naval and land targets can be confronted with any combination of cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles, et al. the ROKN decides to place in the remaining MK 41 Vertical Launch System cells.

The ships are being designed with a number of low-observable features to reduce their radar profile. These measures also include advanced infa-red signature reduction methods designed to give it an IR signature far superior to comparable ships, including its U.S. contemporary the DDG-51 Arleigh Burke class destroyer.

Official statements said that the name Sejongdaewang-Ham (“King Sejong”) was chosen for the first ship because of this importance in Korean history. Besides supporting the creation of the Korean “Hangeul” alphabet, the 15th century Chosun Dynasty monarch is also known for strengthening the country’s national defense capability.

After the ROKS King Sejong is officially delivered to the Navy at the end of 2008, 2 other ships of the class are expected to enter service in 2010 and 2012. GlobalSecurity.org estimates that each vessel will cost about 1.2 trillion won ($923 million).

UPDATES:

May 25/07: The first KDX-III destroyer, the King Sejong, is launched in a ceremony at Ulsan shipyard in the southeastern port city. KOIS report | Hyundai Heavy Industries release.

The DRS Contract

DRS EW&NS will build the Fiber Optic Data Multiplex System, a general purpose, dual-network system that provides data and integrated communications among propulsion and power control systems, steering, navigation sensors, weapons systems, alarms, indicators, bridge systems and the Aegis combat system, and ensures interoperability between legacy systems and off-the-shelf systems. Work will include the development of design documentation and installation drawing, installation and performance testing of the system. Work will commence immediately, and continue through January 2010.

The Special & Naval Shipbuilding Division of Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. in Ulsan, Republic of Korea, awarded the contract. DRS’ news release noted that the company also expects to receive future contracts of this nature, as the ROKN deploys additional KDX-III destroyers.