"Drones as the Solution for Disaster and Aviation Safety"
100 Billion Won Invested... Applications Open from the 26th
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is launching a full-scale initiative to develop specialized drones for firefighting and airport bird control, aiming to enhance disaster response and ensure aircraft safety.
On May 25, the ministry announced plans to develop a heavy-lift firefighting drone capable of carrying equipment weighing over 100 kg, as well as an artificial intelligence (AI)-based drone swarm system for bird control at airports. A total of 16.5 billion won will be invested in the project, including 10 billion won allocated for this year.
Heavy-Lift Firefighting Drones to Be Deployed for Nighttime Wildfire Suppression... AI Bird Control Drones for Airports Also in Development
On the 14th, Park Sangwoo, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, who attended the Drone Industry Alliance inaugural general meeting held at COEX Magok in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, is inspecting the defense drone on display. Photo by Yoon Dongjoo
Recently, wildfires have been increasing in scale and occurring simultaneously in multiple locations. The need to utilize drones has grown, especially in situations where helicopters have difficulty accessing areas at night or in mountainous terrain.
The ministry will develop a dedicated firefighting drone capable of carrying more than 100 kg of equipment from this year through 2027. An initial investment of 7 billion won will be made this year, with a total of 11.5 billion won planned for the entire project.
In the early stages, the ministry will introduce commercially available foreign drones and, based on these, will simultaneously develop domestic technologies. Once development is complete, the drones will undergo demonstration by relevant agencies and airframe certification by the ministry before being deployed in the field.
To prevent bird strikes near airports, an AI-based drone swarm system will also be developed. This drone system will be designed to detect birds within a 4-kilometer radius of airports, analyze their activity patterns, and implement detection, tracking, and dispersal measures.
The drones will be equipped with radar, visual recognition devices, and AI algorithms. This will enable the system to identify bird hazards in advance and respond automatically.
A total of 5 billion won will be invested in the development of the bird control drone by next year, with 3 billion won allocated for this year. The lead development institution will be selected through a public competition.
'Drone Commercialization Support Project' Open for Applications Until July 4
This initiative will proceed through the 'Drone Commercialization Support Project' competition, overseen by the Korea Aviation Safety Technology Institute.
The announcement will be open for 40 days, from May 26 to July 4. After document and presentation evaluations, the final project operator will be selected in July, and the project will officially commence.
Further details will be available on the 'Drone Information Portal' website starting May 26.
Kim Kihun, Director of the Advanced Aviation Division at the ministry, stated, "There is an urgent need to develop drones that can be used in various disaster situations. Through the development of advanced firefighting drones and AI-based airport bird control drones, we will further enhance public safety and promote the growth of the drone industry by advancing domestic K-drone technology."
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