[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence video] Exclusive Acquisition... Rifle Drone Test Footage

[Asia Economy Military Specialist Yang Nak-gyu] An experimental video of a drone equipped with a K-2 rifle has been obtained. Until now, the military has released photos related to rifle-firing drones operated by dronebot (drone + robot) combat units, but this is the first time a video has been made public.

The video obtained by this outlet shows a K-2 rifle mounted on the underside of the drone, enabling remote targeting of objectives. The grenade-launching drone can be equipped with six grenade launchers. A company-level attack drone capable of precision strikes on enemy company-level specific targets and mobile command posts is also under experimentation.

The rifle drone operates at low altitude to detect snipers in urban terrain. It is combat equipment designed to quickly inform friendly forces of enemy attacks or defense networks to minimize friendly losses. Future plans include enabling day and night operations, with the introduction of aiming scopes capable of friend-or-foe identification during night missions. The military is developing autonomous tactical maneuvering software for rifle drones using swarm drone systems, aiming to complete it by the first half of 2022. Currently, rifle drones have attracted interest from Southeast Asian countries such as the Philippines and Cambodia, as well as Middle Eastern countries, indicating high export potential.

The 'long-range reconnaissance small unmanned aerial vehicle' that covertly infiltrates enemy-centric areas to provide high-definition footage of key targets, and the 'communication relay drone' to ensure communication in mountainous areas for maneuver and landing divisions, will be procured domestically alongside rapid demonstration acquisition projects. Short-range reconnaissance drones, company-level attack drones, and the 'Jijaksa reconnaissance UAV' providing real-time information to strike enemy multiple rocket launchers and army groups will have their performance phased and be purchased domestically.

The 'vertical takeoff and landing reconnaissance UAV' providing key target information considering general forward operating bases (GOP) and marine division mountainous areas, and the 'small attack drone' precisely striking enemy battalion-level specific targets and mobile command posts, will mitigate development risks and shorten project durations through core technology development.

Additionally, research and development will be conducted on 'ultra-small reconnaissance drones' carried during enemy area infiltration to perform key target surveillance and reconnaissance missions, 'medium attack drones' for precision strikes on division-level key targets, and 'large attack drones' targeting command-level key targets.