KAI Holds 'Aerospace Experts Forum' to Revitalize Future Business

[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) announced on the 21st that it will hold an 'Aerospace Experts Forum' to revitalize future businesses at the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX 2021).

The Aerospace Experts Forum, hosted by the Korea Aerospace Industry-Academic Committee, has been held since 2005 to discuss aerospace industry trends and technological development directions. This forum will cover topics such as research on the domestic development direction of the Korean next-generation utility helicopter, next-generation eVTOL technology trends and optimal design technology, and the establishment and advancement of virtual training flight units based on metaverse platforms.

Professor Jinsu Cho of Hanyang University's Department of Mechanical Engineering said, "The next-generation utility helicopter is expected to have a global demand of more than 2,000 units by 2040, mainly for military helicopters," adding, "With the domestic helicopter development, testing infrastructure, and experts secured through the development of Surion and LAH, it is a field worth challenging."

The eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle) technology, a core technology for UAM, is also gaining attention.

Professor Sangcheol Lee of Korea Aerospace University’s Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering stated, "Continuous advancements in aviation electrical and electronic systems are accelerating the development of new concept electric propulsion aircraft such as UAM and air taxis," and predicted, "The eVTOL market will expand to $74 billion by 2035 and approximately $1.474 trillion by 2040."

KAI is conducting various UAM research and development projects for manned transport and unmanned cargo to enter the future mobility market. The plan is to develop an independent model UAM by the late 2020s through securing core technologies.

Professor Yongjin Kwon of Ajou University’s Department of Industrial Engineering emphasized that the aerospace training system field is at a turning point for revolutionary development with the introduction of future training system concepts incorporating 4th industrial revolution technologies such as metaverse and digital twin. He forecasted, "It will soon be possible to introduce state-of-the-art training systems based on the LVC (Live-Virtual-Constructive) concept."

Meanwhile, in conjunction with the Aerospace Experts Forum, the '2021 Aerospace Paper Awards' ceremony was also held. The Aerospace Paper Awards have been held since 2003 to foster talent in the aerospace field, marking its 19th year this year. Hosted by KAI and sponsored by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Korean Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences, this year’s awards were conducted in four categories: policy and management, machinery and engines, materials and components, and electronics and electrical. Out of about 40 submitted papers, 9 teams were awarded.

This year’s grand prize winners were Hong Seongbu, a student at Chungnam National University, who submitted the paper titled "Active Vibration Control Test Study of High-Speed Flight Composite Unmanned Rotary-Wing Aircraft Using a Reduced-Order Structural Model" (Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Award), and the team of Han Minhyun and Kim Eunju from Konkuk University, who submitted the paper titled "A Study on Shock Wave Structure and Surface Pressure Prediction Based on Image Data Using CNN (a deep learning neural network model inspired by the visual neural structure of animals)" (KAI CEO Award).