Republic of Korea UCAV programs

[Matej]

South Korea plans to acquire a variety of unmanned air vehicles across all spectrums in the coming years, with local and international companies vying for what industry observers say is one of the most lucrative markets in Asia.

State-owned Korea Aerospace Industries is keen to get ahead of the competition, and displayed a concept for a new unmanned combat air vehicle and an upgraded medium-altitude UAV at the Seoul air show in late October.

Studies into the K-UCAV began in 2008 and are at an "advanced conceptual design" stage, says a KAI official. Discussions with the South Korean defence ministry are "at an early stage and ongoing", the source adds....

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/10/28/334085/kai-outlines-work-on-indigenous-ucav-design.html

 

[Kane]

Its good to see the asian market come alive with UCAV sales. Perhaps they will inspire some truely inventive designs.

 

[hesham]

Hi,

http://airdroids.blogspot.com/2010_02_01_archive.html

 

[Matej]

Farnborough 2010, KAI stand (dialogue is not exact, I don't remember every word, but the essence is there):

Q: Hi, what is the current status of the K-UCAV demonstrator?
A: What project?
Q: UCAV demonstrator, shown in the model form last months. What was done, what is the current status in its development?
A: (to the second stuff) Do you know what it is? Yes, probably he means that UCAV demonstrator. Aha, well, we don't have the customer.
Q: Okay, there is not any formal request now, but how far went the work on that?
A: Well, we made some model, but we don't have the customer.
Q: So everything what you did is that you made a model?
A: Sorry, I don't know anything more about.

 

[Triton]

The K-UCAV makes an appearance at 3:44

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wrAW1k7x8Y

Source:

Trimble, Stephen "VIDEO: Meet KAI's UAV line-up" The DEW Line November 2, 2009
http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-dewline/2009/11/video-meet-kais-uav-line-up.html

 

[Matej]

I somehow missed that before. The K-UCAV model is in fact RC 20% scaled demonstrator that already flew in 2008 - 2009 timeframe. The proposed full scale variant should be in the 4 tons TOW, wingspan 9,1 m and lenght 8,4 m. Endurance is expected to be the 5 hours in max. altitude 12 km and max. speed Mach 0,85.

 

[Matej]

Some official data.

http://blog.chosun.com/blog.log.view.screen?blogId=71454&logId=4306842

 

[Matej]

Now called KUS-X, demonstrator is expected to fly in 2013.

 

[antigravite]

Same old model on display at the 2015 Paris Air Show.
A.

 

[antigravite]

Hi cleaning up / dusting off some archives…
Picture of an "old" 2 page KAI K-UCAV Paris Air Show brochure, with specs.

A.

 

[litzj]

At 2019 ADEX, KAI provides their concept

Loitering UAV with warhead. I think this concept is still in CAD image level.

 

[litzj]

https://jaesan-aero.blogspot.com/2022/10/dx-korea-2022.html

Korean-Air was selected as Korean-ver. of Loyal-Wingman

 

[timmymagic]

https://jaesan-aero.blogspot.com/2022/10/dx-korea-2022.html

Korean-Air was selected as Korean-ver. of Loyal-Wingman

What's this missile (larger one)?

View attachment 686415

View attachment 686414

Believe its the "400mm-class Air-to-Ship Guided Missile-II"

New Supersonic Anti-Ship Missile for South Korea's KF-X Breaks Cover - Naval News

The first artist impression of a new supersonic anti-ship missile for South Korea's KF-X fighter has been released.

www.navalnews.com

 

[litzj]

https://jaesan-aero.blogspot.com/2022/10/dx-korea-2022.html

Korean-Air was selected as Korean-ver. of Loyal-Wingman

What's this missile (larger one)?

View attachment 686415

View attachment 686414

Believe its the "400mm-class Air-to-Ship Guided Missile-II"

New Supersonic Anti-Ship Missile for South Korea's KF-X Breaks Cover - Naval News

The first artist impression of a new supersonic anti-ship missile for South Korea's KF-X fighter has been released.

www.navalnews.com

yeah right and it is still in proposal statua

 

[Hanz2k]

Looks like French ASMP.

 

[raptor82]

Wow, KUS-FC prototype in assembly line？

https://www.reddit.com/r/WarplanePorn/comments/10hugxm

View: https://www.reddit.com/r/WarplanePorn/comments/10hugxm/korean_air_kaorix_or_kusx_prototype_album/

 

[sublight_]

2010: we totally did not copy quiet bird.

2023: we totally did not copy X-47B.

 

[Hydroman]

We totally did not copy these somewhat totally but potentially we did but not totally.

 

[Maro.Kyo]

Presentation regarding current progress of Multi-Role Stealth UAS programme, formerly known as Low-Observable Reconaissance UAS programme. This programme was started back in 2010 and is better known as KUS-X (probably an acronym for KAL Unmanned System - eXperimental), although I should clarify that KUS-X is the older KAL Aerospace internal designation of the aircraft. Current KAL internal designation is known to be KUS-FC (probably KAL Unmanned System - Fixed wing Combat) The official ADD designation of this family of demonstrator aicrafts are KAORI-X (meaning Stingray-X). Last iteration was KAORI-X2 and currently they are developing the last iteration of demonstrator aircraft (I guess it will be named KAORI-X3?) before transitioning into system development phase.

The small-scale flight demonstrator developed by 2016 had a wingspan of 7m, which is quite a bit smaller than other flying-wing LO UCAV demonstrators before it, such as Taranis or nEUROn. Full-scale aircraft is envisioned to have a wingspan wider than that of KAORI-X2, which is 15m wide.

Other component of future ROKAF aerial system of systems is the Low-Obeservable Wingman Drone. This programme was introduced in 2021 and development started in 2022 after KAL Aerospace was chosen as the prime contractor. KAL internal designation is known to be KUS-LW. Maiden flight of demonstrator aircraft is planned for 2025 and demonstration of autonomous formation flight by 2027.

 

[Maro.Kyo]

I've posted about exhaust nozzle development programme a few months ago on the KF-21 thread for those who are interested :
https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/kai-kf-21-boramae-kfx-korean-indigenous-fighter-program.1686/post-548237

Also, apart from these publicly funded ADD-KAL Aerospace programmes, KAI are planning to develop MUM-T UCAV and attritable drones on their own via private funding, again as mentioned on the KF-21 thread : https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/kai-kf-21-boramae-kfx-korean-indigenous-fighter-program.1686/post-586454
I'll post more about the KAI UCAV projects once more are revealed.

 

[Maro.Kyo]

At the lower end of the specturm, there's another UCAV in development nearing its completion called the Tactical Stealth Loitering Strike System. It's a relatively small UAS weighing around 200kg, with an operational altitude of 4km and 5 hours playtime on station with 6 paragliding guided submunitions each weighing around 5.5kg, mounted on a rotary magazine internally. It has a BWB design with frontal aspect average RCS of around -10dbsm (@ 9GHz).

The task of this UAS is similar to those kamikaze drones that we are now all very familiar of like Harpy, Harop, Switchblade, Lancet, etc, i.e. reconaissance and strike on tactical level, albeit this thing is quite a bit heavier than any of those drones mentioned above. Also unlike Harpy and Harop, which are mainly SEAD drones, this drone is meant to strike North Korean artilleries deplyoed close to the MDL.

It will be deployed and operated by the soon to be inagurated Army Drone Operations Command. I personally think that there's a major need for an upgrade to its data link system and increase its operational range considering how North Korean artillery threats have evolved over the years. Since this programme was first introduced in 2015, the focus of North Korean artillery shifted from long-range guns to large diameter MRLs and this drone is rather too short-legged to take care of those newer threats.

(from left to right, pilot study model, full-scale model with vertical stabilizers on wingtips and smaller scale model)

 

[raptor82]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1723712162147770423

View: https://twitter.com/muxelaero/status/1723712162147770423?s=46&t=5THFve96Abhx7VANdlTzrg


……so original.

 

[Maro.Kyo]

……so original.

Who cares originality in war?

 

[Forest Green]

Korean Air begins producing reconnaissance drone for South’s military

Four underwing hardpoints are visible on the prototype, indicating the unarmed drone may evolve into a combat-capable UAV.

www.defensenews.com

 

[raptor82]

KAI@JA2024：

 

[raptor82]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1894266244754477277

View: https://x.com/fa50_defense/status/1894266244754477277?s=46&t=5THFve96Abhx7VANdlTzrg


Korean Air LOWUS (Low Observable Unmanned Wingman System)

 

[litzj]

ADD+KoreanAir vs KoreaAerospaceIndustries

for next generation ucav and mum-t

 

[TomcatViP]

It's interesting to notice how the dorsal intake looks quite shallow in regard to that of the MQ-28 (2x side inlets) from Boeing and GA XQ-67 (with an apparent BL suction).
It certainly reflects from a much less powerful engine with a more restricted flight envelope.

 

[snne]

https://www.twz.com/air/south-koreas-loyal-wingman-air-combat-drone-unveiled

 

[snne]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1894266244754477277

View: https://x.com/fa50_defense/status/1894266244754477277?s=46&t=5THFve96Abhx7VANdlTzrg


Korean Air LOWUS (Low Observable Unmanned Wingman System)

Just realized that there is a tiny EO turret under the nose...

I'm just guessing of course, but I really like the consept of this jet (and also the others in the same class)...

You don't always need something as pricey or complex as Kizilelma, MQ-25A, GJ-11, FH-97A, ANKA-3, X-47B or Okhotnik...

 

[Forest Green]

Amid setback, South Korea pushes forward on drones, loyal wingman

The country is under the gun to accelerate its drone plans because the low birth rate won't be able to keep up with human pilot needs, said one analyst.

www.defensenews.com

 

[raptor82]

Korean Air joins hands with Anduril for autonomous drone development | Yonhap News Agency

SEOUL, April 2 (Yonhap) -- Korean Air Co., South Korea's flagship air carrier, said W...

m-en.yna.co.kr

 

[Hydroman]

View attachment 765545

Korean Air joins hands with Anduril for autonomous drone development | Yonhap News Agency

SEOUL, April 2 (Yonhap) -- Korean Air Co., South Korea's flagship air carrier, said W...

m-en.yna.co.kr

Look at that, a Korean X-47B.

 

[Grey Havoc]

KAI Unveils Carrier-Based UCAV Concept For South Korean Navy | Aviation Week Network

KAI has revealed a conceptual design for a carrier-based UCAV, developed in support of the Republic of Korea Navy’s future drone carrier program.

aviationweek.com

(Subscription or registration may be required)

 

[raptor82]

KAI AAP @Seoul ADEX2025:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1979351036021346791

View: https://x.com/shiki_kuroha/status/1979351036021346791?s=46&t=5THFve96Abhx7VANdlTzrg

 

[litzj]

More from KAI's own UCAV

 

[litzj]

Korean Air's UCAV.

Korean Air and KAI are in competition

 

[Forest Green]

Korean Air to unveil three new unmanned aircraft at Seoul ADEX 2025​

Korean Air to unveil three new unmanned aircraft at Seoul ADEX 2025 - Asian Military Review

Korean Air unveiled three unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2025.

www.asianmilitaryreview.com

LOWUS (Low Observable Wingman UAV System) prototype and KUS-FX (small unmanned collaborative aircraft) mock up at Korean Air’s booth at SEOUL ADEX 2025


A medium strike UAV (Loitering Munition) prototype at Korean Air’s booth at Seoul ADEX 2025

 

[Forest Green]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2018690588493693108

View: https://x.com/mason_8718/status/2018690588493693108?s=20

 

[Sineva]

This is a bit of a weird one,4 horizontal control surfaces ala shahed,but also working rudders as well.
Both belt & braces.
Offhand I cant think of another with that configuration.

They`ve even gone the same route for their harpy clone as well.