During the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition 2021 (ADEX 2021) held at Seoul Airport from the 19th to the 23rd, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) unveiled several exciting new products.
KF-21 Boramae
Unsurprisingly, one of KAI’s stars is the KF-21 Boramae, a 4.5 generation fighter aircraft (which will evolve beyond the 5th Gen) jointly developed by South Korea and Indonesia, whose rollout took place in April this year.
KAI has a large pavilion inside the ADEX 2021 show, in which detailed mock-ups are on display and in the outdoor static display area, a full-size mock-up of the fighter was presented.
Also on display were a pair of virtual reality simulators for the KF-21, one to prepare its future pilots, and the other to train the technical personnel who, in the future, will have to maintain these modern aircraft.
New-generation electric trainer
Within its new technologies segment, KAI showed its project for a new generation basic trainer, powered entirely by electric energy, called Sorigae (Black Kit). This aircraft is intended by KAI to replace the Korean Air Force’s KT-1 basic trainer.
According to a video broadcasted at ADEX 2021, the aircraft will feature a state-of-the-art dual command cockpit, which will allow trainees to train in a cockpit analogous to that of 4.5 and 5 generation fighters. It will be powered by 4 electric motors, fed by a large number of batteries, distributed between the wings and fuselage.
FA-50
The Korean advanced trainer/light fighter continues to evolve. KAI plans to increase its offensive capabilities and improve its range.
The aircraft will be integrated with new advanced weapons, such as AMRAAM medium-range air-to-air missiles, a new advanced self-defense missile, and new ground and/or naval strike cruise missiles, which could be the Kongsberg NSM, the Roketsan SOM or the Taurus KEPD 350K-2, manufactured under license in Korea.
To extend the FA-50’s range, a large 300-gallon (1135 L) capacity belly fuel tank is being developed, twice what the current fuel tanks in use can carry. KAI is also working with the firm Cobham to install an in-flight refueling system on the aircraft.
Finally, KAI revealed that it is working on an unmanned version of its light fighter to work in conjunction with its KF-21 Boramae as a Loyal Wingman system.
MAH Amphibious Assault Helicopter
Korea Aerospace Industries is developing an amphibious armed assault variant, within its Surion family of helicopters, in order to respond to a Navy requirement for 24 such units.
Developed from the MUH-1 amphibious utility helicopter, the new aircraft will have a total of six external weapon stations through the installation of a pair of semi-wings, allowing it to carry different combinations of rockets, cannons, missiles, drones, or loitering munitions; in addition to a 20mm Gatling gun. It will also be equipped with modern sensors and self-defense systems.
A highlight for KAI is the development of the MUM-T, a system that will enable manned-unmanned aircraft teaming, allowing joint operation between helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles.
Space
KAI wants to become a key global player in the new space age, for which it is investing heavily in research and development (R&D).
The company is in charge of the development of the next-generation N °2 medium satellite, which is being carried out as the first private space project in Korea, and of the overall assembly of the Korean launch vehicle Nuri (KSLV-II ) scheduled to be launched on the 21st.
In addition, the country’s first private space center capable of designing, manufacturing, assembling and testing satellites was built, and a mass production infrastructure capable of simultaneously manufacturing multiple satellites, from large satellites to ultra-small satellites or «CubeSats,» was also established.
