South Korea Developing 'Air Taxi'... US Cultivates 'Next-Generation Ultimate Fighter Jet' [Reading Science]

Conceptual image of an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft by the United States Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] The movie "Oblivion," starring Tom Cruise, predicts that the forefront of future air transportation will feature electric vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aerial vehicles (e-VTOLs). In the recent film "Top Gun: Maverick," also starring Cruise, the U.S. Air Force leadership warns the protagonist with exceptional piloting skills that the "era of unmanned aerial vehicles is coming."

In reality, the U.S. Department of Defense is actively researching ways to utilize e-VTOLs, which are being developed worldwide, including in South Korea, for public transportation (air taxis), for military purposes. This is based on the calculation that such aircraft require minimal takeoff and landing infrastructure, such as air force bases and aircraft carriers, thus increasing their utility.

According to the space-specialized media outlet Space.com on the 12th, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), an advanced military science and technology research management agency under the U.S. Department of Defense, recently released a video introducing such a project. The project is named ANCILLARY, which stands for AdvaNced airCraft Infrastructure-Less Launch And RecoverY X-Plane.

Conventional combat aircraft require airports equipped with runways and maintenance facilities for takeoff and landing. Aircraft designed for aircraft carriers have shorter takeoff and landing distances but still face many limitations. DARPA is focusing on the fact that e-VTOLs can operate in all weather conditions regardless of adverse weather, and can minimize the takeoff and landing infrastructure such as air force bases and aircraft carriers. In particular, for aircraft carriers, even a small landing deck like that of a helicopter carrier can operate large-scale combat aircraft using e-VTOLs. Additionally, the plan is to develop remote or unmanned control systems that allow pilots to operate the aircraft using tablets, minimizing operational burdens while enabling coordinated missions with existing air power. The aircraft will have foldable wings to minimize volume, be lightweight yet capable of carrying many weapons, and maximize range.

DARPA has already requested proposals from companies, academia, and research institutions that possess this vertical takeoff and landing technology. Furthermore, on the 20th, they will hold a proposal presentation and exhibition event for invited participants.

Steve Komadina, DARPA ANCILLARY program manager, explained, "The capability to deploy and maintain combat aircraft in environments that do not rely on takeoff and landing infrastructure will minimize personnel, costs, and vulnerabilities during sensitive operations. Since this is a challenging research area, it will require research and development in various fields such as advanced piloting technology and aerodynamics."

Recently, in the U.S., similar aircraft are being developed not only by the Air Force and NASA but also by private companies such as the California-based startup Joby Aviation. e-VTOLs use electricity from batteries and fuel cells, producing almost no noise or vibration compared to helicopters, and enable autonomous flight and remote control, overcoming the limitations of existing aviation technology and expected to become a new mode of transportation. In South Korea, companies like SK Telecom are also researching aircraft and infrastructure to establish urban air mobility (UAM) with the goal of commercialization within the next five years.