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Also, the nation's Defence Acquisition
Programme Administration (DAPA) recently
revealed that in 2022 South Korea will test gre-
nade-launching drones that can be remotely
controlled over a range of two kilometres,
carrying gunpowder-filled 40mm shells. The
operator uses optical and thermal imaging
cameras and a laser range finder to shoot up
to six consecutive shots, with two seconds [ UNMANNED SYSTEMS ]
between firing. A two-axis gimbal and a recoil
absorber stabilize the equipment after firing.

The most anticipated component of South
Korea’s drone programme is its project to
build a homegrown mid-altitude unmanned
aerial vehicle (MUAV), tentatively known as
the KUS-15. Primarily developed by ADD and
Korean Air’s aerospace division, the idea was
first conceived in 2008, and around 488.4 bil-
lion won has been invested in the project. A
series of failures during testing led the project
to be delayed. But the DAPA expects the MUAV
system to be completed soon and ready for
deployment shortly.

Adapted from the U.S. General Atomics MQ-9
Reaper drone, the MUAV can surveil territory
of up to 100 kilometers (62 miles) from an alti-
tude of 10 to 12 kilometers, making it capable
of recording high-resolution footage far beyond
the demilitarized zone. DAPA also says that The MoU between Elbit Systems and KAI will help in developing
it will acquire an undisclosed number of ‘gre- future unmanned airborne ISTAR capabilities for the Republic of
nade-launching’ and ‘small modular’ UAVs Korea (RoK) Armed Forces and potential international customers.
through a fast-track procurement process. The KAI is developing a suite of UAS capabilities for the RoK Armed
platform can launch six grenades consecutively Forces, to be used primarily for ISTAR purposes.
(one every two seconds) at targets within a 5 KAI also early this year signed a MoU with Israel Aerospace
m radius, DAPA notes. Industries (IAI) to collaborate in developing manned-unmanned
teaming (MUM-T) systems.
In Partnership Mode
Beyond domestic production, South Korea The two companies are working on mounting UAV aboard KAI’s
is working with likeminded partners abroad domestically developed light armed helicopters (LAH). The col-
on weapons development as well. Korea laboration could give Korea's military forces unmanned loitering
Aerospace Industries and Elbit Systems have munitions systems, in which a helicopter would hover at distance
signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) while an onboard UAV searches for targets and attacks once a
to co-operate in unmanned air vehicles. “The specific target is located. The collaboration is expected to expand
cooperation will address potential [unmanned the LAH’s current operational and combat capacity. The two com-
air system] programmes for the Korean Defence panies aim to start joint tests later this year. “Combining IAI’s
Forces, as well as additional global customers,” proven capabilities in loitering munitions and KAI’s technologies
says Elbit. “The companies will cooperate to and products will create an opportunity for an improved solution
develop the next-generation UAS solutions to the future battlefield,” says IAI’s President and CEO Boaz Levy.
for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisi-
tion and reconnaissance missions, based on In December 2012, the United States approved a requested from
both companies’ technological experience in RoK to buy four RQ-4 Block 30 (I) Global Hawk Remotely Piloted
the unmanned field,” according to Elbit, which Aircraft with the Enhanced Integrated Sensor Suite (EISS). By
claims that it produces 10 different unmanned October 2020 Seoul received all four Northrop Grumman RQ-4
platforms ranging from small drones to large, Block 30 Global Hawk high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE). The
unmanned aircraft such as the Hermes family RoKAF is believed to be operating the platforms from Sacheon Air
of UAVs. Base as part of a recently established reconnaissance squadron.

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