Korean Air Launches Development of 'Low-Detectability Unmanned Formation Aircraft'

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] Korean Air is set to develop a low-observable unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) swarm.

Korean Air announced on the 16th that it was selected as the preferred negotiation candidate with an overwhelming technical score difference for the "Low-Observable UAV Swarm Development" project, led by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), on the 12th.

The low-observable UAV swarm is one of the "Future Challenge Defense Technology Projects" by the ADD aimed at developing new weapon systems, and it is the first technology of its kind to be developed domestically in Korea.

The ADD began developing UAV swarm technology in November last year and has currently completed the basic design. Korean Air, selected as the preferred negotiation candidate, will proceed with detailed design in collaboration with the ADD.

Korean Air plans to develop the low-observable UAV swarm as a "manned-unmanned complex system" where manned aircraft and UAVs perform missions simultaneously. One manned aircraft will form a squadron with 3 to 4 UAVs, supporting and escorting the manned aircraft while independently carrying out autonomous missions such as surveillance reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and precision strikes.

Since 2010, Korean Air has jointly developed the country's first low-observable UAV with the ADD and successfully conducted unmanned test flights. Last year, it secured core technologies related to low-observable UAVs by winning the "Broadband Low-Observable UAV Airframe Structure Technology Research" project from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration and developing advanced stealth technology.

Meanwhile, based on the capabilities secured through UAV development projects over the past 20 years, Korean Air plans to lead the development of domestic stealth UAVs by securing next-generation core technologies such as manned-unmanned complex systems utilizing low-observable UAVs, swarm control, and autonomous mission execution.

Additionally, Korean Air will actively participate in the ADD-led "Multipurpose Stealth UAV Development" project and cooperate in reviewing the feasibility of operating "AI-based manned-unmanned complex system demonstration units" and low-observable manned-unmanned UAV swarms, as presented in the Ministry of National Defense's work report. The company will also actively contribute to the development of Korea's future advanced weapon systems and strengthening of national defense capabilities.