KAI Signs MOU with Israel's IAI for Manned-Unmanned Complex Operation System Cooperation

Integration of IAI UAV System into LAH... Expanding Helicopter Mission Capability with Manned-Unmanned Combined Operation System to Maximize Combat Effectiveness with Fewer Personnel and Costs

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Je-hoon] Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is advancing a project to enhance the mission capabilities of the domestically developed manned light armed helicopter (LAH) by integrating Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)'s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system.

KAI announced on the 4th that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) for cooperation on a manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) system. IAI is the largest aerospace manufacturer in Israel.

This project is expected to establish a new concept of defense system by combining KAI's system integration technology with IAI's unmanned system capabilities to expand the mission capabilities of the LAH helicopter.

The manned-unmanned teaming system can maximize combat effectiveness with fewer personnel and lower costs. Therefore, it is also expected to have high future growth potential related to Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies.

The Republic of Korea Army is also preparing to promote a manned-unmanned teaming system and is reviewing early operational deployment plans such as rapid demonstration acquisition projects. In the short term, the plan is to link the LAH with domestically developed UAVs, enabling control and operation of drones from the helicopter or utilizing video footage.

In the future, the concept includes equipping the manned helicopter's internal space with canister-launched drones capable of swarm and autonomous flight, and developing them to a level where they can perform information gathering, target designation, and strikes using built-in optical trackers.

KAI is the only domestic company capable of simultaneously developing manned aircraft and unmanned vehicles, and signed the agreement to find areas of joint cooperation with IAI. KAI and IAI have maintained a cooperative relationship since signing contracts for G280 wing production in 2019 and G280 fuselage production last year.

Boaz Levy, President of IAI, said, "Strategic cooperation with KAI will be a great opportunity to participate in Korea's aerospace and defense industries." KAI President Ahn Hyun-ho also stated, "By accumulating manned-unmanned teaming system technology, we will lay the foundation for export commercialization through product diversification and creation of new demands," adding, "We plan to continuously pursue cooperation with global advanced companies to secure technology in future industrial fields."