Korean Air KUS-FS

Korean Air KUS-FS
KUS-FS in flight testing
Role Medium-altitude long-endurance UAV
National origin South Korea
Manufacturer Korean Air Aerospace Division
Designer Agency for Defense Development
Korean Air Aerospace Division
First flight February 2012
Primary user Republic of Korea Air Force (intended)
Produced 2024–present

The Korean Air KUS-FS (Korean Unmanned System–Flight Strategic) is a medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (MALE UAV) developed by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and Korean Air Aerospace Division (KAL-ASD).[1] Development started in 2008,[2] with its first flight occurring in 2012 and development concluding in March 2022.[3] It was developed for the South Korean Air Force's Group 5 UAV system. Previously known as the MUAV (Medium-Altitude UAV), the KUS-FS is in the same class as the US-built General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper UAV.[4]

Design and development

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A scale model of the KUS-FS

The aircraft is 13 m (43 ft) long with a 25 m (82 ft) wingspan and has a height of 3 m (9.8 ft).[5] Powered by a modified 1,200 hp turboprop engine based on the Samsung Techwin SS-760K turbojet engine developed for the SSM-700K C-Star anti-ship missile,[6] it has an endurance in excess of 24 hours while flying at a service ceiling of 13,000 m (43,000 ft), from where its surveillance systems were accurate enough to identify a specific seat within the Seoul Sports Complex 130 km (81 mi) away. It is capable of scanning ground targets 110 km (68 mi) away from an altitude of 10–13 km (33,000–45,000 ft).[7][8] There are four underwing hardpoints which can be used to carry munitions.[3]

The expected delivery time of the KUS-FS was expected to be from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024, and the ROKAF plans to procure two to three complete MUAV systems, totaling about 10 air vehicles, with introduction planned by 2025[9][10] and deliveries completed in 2028.[3] Production began in January 2024.[2]

Specifications

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Data from Korean Air Aerospace,[5][8] Hanwha Systems,[11] and LIG Nex1[12]

General characteristics

  • Crew: Unmanned
  • Length: 13 m (42 ft 8 in)
  • Wingspan: 25 m (82 ft 0 in)
  • Height: 3 m (9 ft 10 in)
  • Max takeoff weight: 5,750 kg (12,677 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Hanwha Aerospace turboprop 1,200 hp (890 kW), 24.46 kN (5,500 lbf) thrust (Modified based on Samsung Techwin SS-760K turbojet engine, 4.67 kN (1,050 lbf) thrust)[6]

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 360 km/h (220 mph, 190 kn)
  • Range: 500 km (310 mi, 270 nmi)
  • Endurance: 24 hours
  • Service ceiling: 13,716 m (45,000 ft)

Avionics

References

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  1. ^ "중고도정찰용 무인항공기 사업 추진현황". Defense Acquisition Program Administration. 15 March 2022. Archived from the original on 29 April 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  2. ^ a b "South Korea starts production of MUAV". Janes Information Services. 26 January 2024. Archived from the original on 27 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Korean Air begins producing reconnaissance drone for South’s military. Defense News. 1 February 2024.
  4. ^ "South Korean KUS-FS MALE UAV continues flight trials as development draws to a conclusion - Jane's 360". www.janes.com.
  5. ^ a b "MUAV KUS-FS" (PDF). Korean Air. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  6. ^ a b "제1장 내열 및 구조소재-열차폐·내삭마 코팅 소재기술(2)-변응선(재료연)-신소재경제·재료연구원 공동기획 소재기술백서 2019(13)-". 신소재경제. 3 May 2021. Archived from the original on 28 May 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  7. ^ Tetsuo Murooka, Hiroyasu Akutsu (2017). "Chapter 4 The Korean Peninsula: North Korea's Growing Nuclear and Missile Threat and South Korea's Anguish" (PDF). National Institute for Defense Studies. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  8. ^ a b "[2022 드론쇼코리아] KOREAN AIR, MUAV 소개". AVING NEWS. 14 March 2022. Archived from the original on 27 April 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  9. ^ "South Korean MND eyes KUS-FS UAV for RoKA Ground Operations Command". Janes Information Services. 30 March 2020. Archived from the original on 19 February 2022.
  10. ^ "South Korea highlights unmanned systems interest in latest defence spending plan". Janes Information Services. 14 August 2020. Archived from the original on 6 May 2021.
  11. ^ "중고도 정찰용 무인항공기 (MUAV)". Hanwha Systems. Archived from the original on 27 April 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  12. ^ "중고도 무인기(MUAV)". LIG Nex1. Archived from the original on 27 April 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  13. ^ Kong Young-kyun, Kim Hyung-chul, Kim Seung-hwan, Kim, Soo-bum and Yim Jae-hag (28 February 2009). "Development of High Resolution SAR(NexSAR) with 30 cm Resolution" (PDF). LIG Nex1. Archived from the original on 29 April 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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