ADEX 2025 – Leonardo and Hanwha join forces to propose the Grifo EK radar, a high performances compact solution for light fighters
At the Seoul exhibition a new version of the Leonardo Grifo radar could be seen alongside in the Hanwha Systems area, within the huge Hanwa Group stand, the Grifo EK, born from the cooperation of the Turkish company with Leonardo of Italy
The cooperation between Leonardo and Hanwha Systems dates back to 2017, and also included a cooperation on IRST (Infrared Search and Track) systems. On June 23rd, 2024, at the Farnborough International Air Show, the two companies signed an MoU to jointly develop an air-cooled AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar. The result of that cooperation could be seen at the Seoul exhibition, the antenna being clearly marked with both logos, the LCA indicating the possible adoption of such radar in the Light Combat Aircraft, also known as FA-50.
The Grifo E is mostly made in the Nerviano plant, in Northern Italy, with the exception of the AESA antenna that is produced in the Edinburgh Leonardo facility in Scotland. This antenna is made of 600 transmit/receive modules, and while it fits numerous medium-light aircraft, such as Leonardo M-346 Master, it is too big to be hosted in the reduced diameter nose of many light aircraft. Hanwha Systems was developing a 450 modules antenna, therefore with a smaller surface, based on low-consumption Gallium Nitride technology. The work share and the timing were perfect to put together Leonardo back-end structure and algorithms with the Hanwha transmitting and receiving element. The Grifo EK, K standing for Korea, was born.
EDR On-Line understood that Hanwha Systems has finished the development, and following the end of ADEX the last tests will be performed, before sending the antenna in Italy. Here all the Grifo EK elements will be integrated, and following first tests on the company rooftop laboratory, the radar will be installed in a pod and flown on the Leonardo test aircraft. The radar should conclude tests by late 2026, entering then the Leonardo and Hanwha portfolios.
The two companies look not only at the installation of the Grifo EK on new aircraft, but also at the lucrative mid Life Update market, the software architecture allowing for radar modes update and customization to meet operator’s needs.
Fully ITAR-free, the Grifo EK builds on the Grifo legacy heritage, more than 450 of which have been delivered for integration onto several platforms, logging over 100,000 operational flight hours worldwide.
Leonardo and Hanwha Systems are cooperating also on the South Korean KF-21 fifth generation fighter, which is fitted with the Turkish company 1,000 elements antenna, Leonardo contributing its expertise to the flight test programme.
Following the successful cooperation in the radar domain, on October 22nd 2025, during ADEX, the two companies signed a further MoU aimed at assessing new opportunities in the electro-optic/infrared domain for both land and air applications.
Photos P. Valpolini
