Secured 10.5 Billion KRW in National Funding Over 3 Years, Utilized in Military, Disaster, and Medical Fields
'Mobile Noise Assessment', 'Flight Control Stability Evaluation', 'Complex Environment Chamber' Systems
Three Types of Electric Test Equipment for Medium to Large Manned and Unmanned Drones [Gangwon Province]
[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Gangwon Province is promoting a large-scale project to establish infrastructure for testing and evaluating medium- and large-sized manned and unmanned aerial vehicles within the Buron General Industrial Complex in Wonju.
The province stated, "Together with Wonju City, we have been selected for the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's 'Special Purpose Manned and Unmanned Drone Industry Ecosystem Creation Support Project (Future Aviation Technology Center)' and will invest a total of 29 billion KRW (10.5 billion KRW in national funds) over three years."
The Future Aviation Technology Center plans to build equipment capable of testing and evaluating large manned and unmanned aerial vehicles (with an own weight exceeding 150 kg and up to 3,175 kg).
The main facilities include three types: a 'mobile noise evaluation system' that can be freely arranged, a 'flight control stability evaluation system' that simulates various wind environments, and a 'composite environmental chamber system' for environmental resistance testing and icing test evaluation under rain and snow conditions.
The province intends to specialize the urban air mobility (UAM) industry into special-purpose fields such as military, disaster, medical, and cargo, fostering it as a future advanced growth industry for Gangwon Province.
The UAM prototype development, which began last year, is scheduled for completion next year. To expand the Yeongwol demonstration testbed, a dedicated drone flight test site and an indoor test site for medium- and large-sized drones will be established by 2024.
Additionally, to concretize the development of special-purpose manned and unmanned drone industries and service realization, partnerships among industry, academia, and research institutes will be formed. The province is also preparing to form a consultative body with military units within the province and to apply for participation in the government's UAM Team Korea.
Meanwhile, the Korea Testing Laboratory, a specialized public institution for testing and evaluation, will serve as the lead organization, overseeing the Future Aviation Technology Center, equipment construction, and the establishment of a testing and evaluation support system.
The Gangwon Economic Promotion Agency and the Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation of Gangneung-Wonju National University will participate in establishing corporate cooperation systems and workforce development.
Kim Kwang-chul, Director of the Strategic Industry Division of the province, said, "While there are facilities operating for small-sized drone testing, this will be the first facility nationwide for medium- and large-sized drones. We hope Gangwon Province can establish a foundation to become the center of manned and unmanned drone and special-purpose drone industries."
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