KAI Unveils Manned-Unmanned Teaming Systems at Drone Show Korea 2026

From KF-21 and FA-50-linked attack UAVs
to an integrated force employment vision

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is participating in Drone Show Korea 2026, which is being held at BEXCO in Busan through February 27, where it is unveiling future battlefield solutions based on manned-unmanned teaming systems.

Visitors at the Korea Aerospace Industries booth are listening to an explanation about the exhibited items. Provided by Korea Aerospace Industries.

Drone Show Korea is Asia's largest drone-focused exhibition, organized by BEXCO and the Korea Unmanned Vehicle System Association, and co-hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of National Defense, the Korea AeroSpace Administration, and Busan Metropolitan City. Participants from 18 countries are showcasing technologies in drones, aerospace, and future mobility.

At this exhibition, KAI has configured its booth into three themed zones to demonstrate an integrated force employment concept centered on manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T).

First, it is presenting a future air combat concept based on a fixed-wing manned-unmanned teaming system linking the KF-21 with the AAP-220 and the FA-50 with the AAP-150. The Small Unmanned Collaborative Aircraft (SUCA, AAP-150 and AAP-220) currently under development by KAI applies a concept in which unmanned aircraft cooperate with manned platforms by conducting advance deployment into high-risk areas, dispersed operations, and expanded precision strike missions.

In the rotary-wing domain, KAI is exhibiting a manned-unmanned teaming system that combines the LAH with the NI-100VT. Alongside this, it is showcasing a maritime patrol unmanned aircraft and the Corps Reconnaissance UAV-B2, highlighting surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities that cover both maritime and ground domains. Through this, KAI is presenting a concept for wide-area surveillance and full-spectrum ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) operations.

Attack-type and loitering munitions-type unmanned aircraft are also being unveiled. The exhibits include the Type I small anti-armor loitering munition drone, the Type II small anti-personnel loitering munition drone (CMMAV, Combat & Multi-mission Modular UAV), and a dual-use Advanced Aerial Vehicle (AAV). The AAV is being developed not only for military purposes, but also with potential civilian applications in disaster response, surveillance, and logistics in mind.

KAI CEO Cha Jaebyeong stated, "Future battlefields are evolving toward manned and unmanned platforms operating as a team," adding, "We are advancing our integrated force solutions by combining our capabilities in fighter, rotary-wing, and unmanned aircraft development with AI-based autonomous and intelligent technologies."