Hanwha Aerospace is positioning itself as a key contender in the U.S. Department of Defense’s Regional Sustainment Framework (RSF) pilot program. The company is leveraging over four decades of experience in aircraft engine production and overhaul alongside a growing smart maintenance infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific. Launched in May 2024, the RSF initiative aims to address the increasing logistical challenges faced by the global defense sector. Its goal is to establish close proximity maintenance hubs in partner nations to improve sustainment capabilities. The Indo-Pacific region is the program’s first focus, with Korea selected as one of five pilot countries, alongside Japan, Australia, the Philippines and Singapore. Hanwha Aerospace aims to participate in the RSF’s Pathway Projects, which test new sustainment capabilities, specifically in depot-level engine overhauls and complex component repairs. The company plans to capitalize on its expertise with F404 and F414 engines — widely used in U.S. and allied fleets — as a key asset in supporting the RSF’s objectives. Since entering the aircraft engine business in 1979, Hanwha has produced over 10,000 engines and completed over 5,700 overhauls across various platforms, including the F-16, TA-50, T700 helicopter engines and naval propulsion systems. Its longstanding partnerships with GE, Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce have positioned it as a trusted provider capable of meeting U.S. military standards. Hanwha’s facilities in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, are equipped with advanced ignition and thrust monitoring systems, showcasing the company’s commitment to cutting-edge technology. Last year, the company celebrated the production of its 10,000th engine, a newly assembled F404 unit, underscoring its readiness to support allied fleets. The company is also nearing the completion of a new smart engine facility, which will expand its capacity to produce F414 engines for Korea’s KF-21 fighter. The facility will feature AI-based quality control, predictive diagnostics and fully digitized logistics systems, aligning with the U.S. military's shift toward digital sustainment. With its proximity to U.S. military installations in Korea and Japan, coupled with its deep operational experience with platforms used by both U.S. and Korean forces, Hanwha Aerospace offers a high-readiness, low-risk option for the RSF program. Its alignment with U.S. defense programs further enhances its credibility in the sustainment space. Hanwha’s participation in the RSF program is part of its broader ambition to evolve from a national defense supplier into a regional leader in sustainment and global propulsion systems. As demand for resilient logistics solutions grows, Hanwha’s technical expertise and strategic positioning make it well-suited to lead in this evolving field. (ICE SEOUL)

Fonte notizia: The Korea Times