Korea UAV programs

[urban mine]

Supersonic Anti-air Target Development Program(2024.07~2028.06)

This is the prototype design that was recently unveiled. The target's booster rocket appears to be the same as that used in the Red Shark anti-submarine missile.

Previously, the shape of the inlet was different, as shown in the image. It resembled a meteor, didn't it? However, the design that was recently unveiled is more similar to the supersonic anti-ship missile-II that was unveiled last year. Perhaps this image was released for reference purposes in the past.

The goal is to achieve the performance of the GQM-163 class. There is a story that South Korea purchased GQM-163 last year for the purpose of testing the performance of KDX-III. I heard that the price was extremely high...

 

[urban mine]

Hanwha Aerospace Ramps Up UAV Engine Localization with 1,400-Horsepower Turboprop Development

Hanwha Aerospace has teamed up with South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development (ADD) to expand its lineup of domestically developed aircraft engines for unman

www.thepowernews.co.kr

Hanwha Aerospace Ramps Up UAV Engine Localization with 1,400-Horsepower Turboprop Development​

Hanwha Aerospace has teamed up with South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development (ADD) to expand its lineup of domestically developed aircraft engines for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The initiative aims to secure independent defense capabilities and lay the foundation for future defense exports by developing core UAV engine technology without relying on foreign imports.

The company announced on July 1 that it has been selected to lead a project overseen by ADD, titled “Development of Prototype Propeller-Powered Aircraft Engines and Certification Demonstration Technology.” The goal is to develop a 1,400-horsepower-class turboprop engine for next-generation Medium-Altitude Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (MUAVs) by 2028 using entirely homegrown technologies.

In addition to engine development, the project will also establish quality certification and demonstration systems that meet Initial Flight Release (IFR) standards—paving the way for future UAV operational deployment and contributing to the growth of Korea’s aerospace industry ecosystem.

UAV engine technology is subject to stringent global export restrictions, such as the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and Export Licensing (EL) regimes. As a result, developing indigenous technologies is essential for ensuring self-reliant defense capabilities and enhancing global competitiveness in defense exports.

Beyond this initiative, Hanwha Aerospace is also collaborating with ADD on other major projects, including the development of 5,500-pound and 10,000-pound thrust-class turbofan engines for various UAV platforms. The company aims to eventually expand its capabilities into engine development for manned fighter jets and commercial aircraft.

Hanwha is also preparing for the long-term goal of independently developing a 16,000-pound-class military aircraft engine—capable of producing 24,000 pounds of thrust with afterburners—for South Korea’s next-generation fighter jet program, in line with government plans.

“Our strength lies in possessing the country’s only full-cycle capabilities in aircraft engine development—from design and manufacturing to certification and maintenance,” the company stated. “By independently developing various UAV engines, we are committed to advancing national defense autonomy and contributing to Korea’s defense export competitiveness.”

 

[urban mine]

This is a new video of KUS-LW, LOWUS. It is currently undergoing ground testing, and its first flight test will take place at the end of this year.

This is the assembly process of KUS-LW announced by Korean Air at the seminar. It is impressive that it clearly shows everything from the intake to the engine.

The current prototype has an RCS of LO level, with an operational range of 50 km between manned and unmanned aircraft and an operational time of 3 hours. The maximum speed is Mach 0.85, and the maximum altitude is 40,000 feet. In line with current trends, the nose section of the aircraft is modular and can be replaced depending on the mission. The engine is Ukraine's AI-222. The KTF-5500 will be installed during the system development stage. (It is scheduled to be unveiled at this year's ADEX.)

As I mentioned earlier, the maiden flight will take place at the end of this year, and the MUM-T demonstration using KT-1 will begin next year and early next year, ending in 2027.

In the current stage of the MUM-T demonstration, control equipment in the form of a pod will be developed for the KT-1 to showcase multi-formation control technology. To speed up development, the fuel tank installed in the KT-1 will be modified for use, and in the future, it will be miniaturized to ACMI level so that it can be applied to other aircraft. The pilot will be linked using the PDCU inside the aircraft.

This seminar is related to the navy. Korean Air and KAI announced their unmanned aircraft programs regarding the use of unmanned attack aircraft on drone carriers. Korean Air stated that if requested by the navy, it would be possible to modify the aircraft from single-engine to twin-engine to increase its size. Of course, at this stage of Full Scale Development, the aircraft size is expected to be larger than the current prototype... The current plan seems to be divided into Block I, which has the capability to carry domestic or foreign engines and air-to-ground weapons, and Block II, which has domestic engines, AI-based air-to-air missiles, and electronic warfare capabilities, in accordance with a phased/evolutionary development approach.

 

[hugh]

This is a new video of KUS-LW, LOWUS. It is currently undergoing ground testing, and its first flight test will take place at the end of this year.

This is the assembly process of KUS-LW announced by Korean Air at the seminar. It is impressive that it clearly shows everything from the intake to the engine.

View attachment 76610
The current prototype has an RCS of LO level, with an operational range of 50 km between manned and unmanned aircraft and an operational time of 3 hours. The maximum speed is Mach 0.85, and the maximum altitude is 40,000 feet. In line with current trends, the nose section of the aircraft is modular and can be replaced depending on the mission. The engine is Ukraine's AI-222. The KTF-5500 will be installed during the system development stage. (It is scheduled to be unveiled at this year's ADEX.)
View attachment 76611
As I mentioned earlier, the maiden flight will take place at the end of this year, and the MUM-T demonstration using KT-1 will begin next year and early next year, ending in 2027.
View attachment 76612 View attachment 76614
In the current stage of the MUM-T demonstration, control equipment in the form of a pod will be developed for the KT-1 to showcase multi-formation control technology. To speed up development, the fuel tank installed in the KT-1 will be modified for use, and in the future, it will be miniaturized to ACMI level so that it can be applied to other aircraft. The pilot will be linked using the PDCU inside the aircraft.
View attachment 76615
This seminar is related to the navy. Korean Air and KAI announced their unmanned aircraft programs regarding the use of unmanned attack aircraft on drone carriers. Korean Air stated that if requested by the navy, it would be possible to modify the aircraft from single-engine to twin-engine to increase its size. Of course, at this stage of Full Scale Development, the aircraft size is expected to be larger than the current prototype... The current plan seems to be divided into Block I, which has the capability to carry domestic or foreign engines and air-to-ground weapons, and Block II, which has domestic engines, AI-based air-to-air missiles, and electronic warfare capabilities, in accordance with a phased/evolutionary development approach.
View attachment 76617

can you provide the translated images when you post? these letters don't mean anything to non-koreans. I fed one of your images to google-translate and got this result. it's looks pretty decent.

the option is on the top-left section of google translate. it would help a lot to appreciate these documents.

 

[urban mine]

can you provide the translated images when you post? these letters don't mean anything to non-koreans. I fed one of your images to google-translate and got this result. it's looks pretty decent.

View attachment 76619

the option is on the top-left section of google translate. it would help a lot to appreciate these documents.

Oh, thank you. Why didn't I think of that? I'll do that from now on.

 

[urban mine]

The MCD (Multipurpose Combat Drone) currently under development by Poongsan, primarily known as an ammunition manufacturer.

The MCD-7 is a multipurpose battalion-level combat drone with a total weight of approximately 7 kg and a mission module payload capacity of up to 3 kg.

It adopts a coaxial counter-rotating rotor structure, which significantly reduces noise and recoil, achieving both cost-effectiveness and stealth operational capability.

The MCD-7 can be remotely launched, assembled, and deployed from inside a vehicle. It can also be launched in real-time while the vehicle is in motion to immediately take off and perform strike missions.

It can be equipped with various practical armaments, including high-explosive warheads, EFP (Explosively Formed Penetrator) warheads, and drop modules.

With a flight capability of up to 30 minutes and a radius of over 5 km, combined with superior target precision strike capability, it can execute a wide range of attacks—from tanks and armored vehicles to designated fixed targets and hidden enemy forces in the rear.

By combining different modules—such as reconnaissance, relay, and attack—to suit the mission, the drone system can form a self-healing network even in areas with communication dead zones, thereby supplementing the battlefield command system.

The MCD-2 is a lightweight platform, weighing approximately 2 kg, capable of carrying a payload of up to 400 g of ammunition and reconnaissance equipment.

It is specialized for quietly and discreetly striking specific points using FPV (First-Person View) control, making it primarily suitable for use by small squads and special forces.

It has a flight time of 10 minutes and an operational radius of 2 km. Due to its low visibility and minimal noise, it is optimized for surveillance-strike missions, such as infiltrating sensitive areas and engaging fixed targets.

The operator can directly command real-time target confirmation and strike using the Electro-Optical (EO) video sensor.


Various MCD modules and penetration test specimens .