LIG Nex1 Co., a South Korean aerospace and defense company, Monday said it has kicked off a pilot project to develop an aerial multimodal fire control radar system as the second phase of a state-led program on the active electronically scanned array (AESA) technology.

LIG Nex1 has been participating as a key pilot technology developer in the program led by Agency for Defense Development. The company was chosen as a preferred negotiator for the program in June and sealed a 35 billion won ($31.2 million) contract early this month.

Unlike its focus on developing radar hardware in the first phase of the program in 2014, the company will concentrate on software development this time, the company said.

The company will build on its experience and track record in the AESA radar development to upgrade its technology level and step up efforts to create an export market for advanced AESA radars applicable to various platforms.

By Moon Ji-woong and Minu Kim

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