KAI Presents Advanced Concepts for Future Air Combat Collaboration

Our Bureau - : Nov 10, 2025 - : 10:08 pm

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is showcasing its next-generation air systems at the ongoing show, highlighting its expanding portfolio of collaborative, unmanned, and naval aviation platforms. These new-generation platforms will enhance the future combat capabilities of military forces.

KAI’s displays at the show includes models of its Medium Unmanned Collaborative Combat Aircraft (MUCCA) and Small Unmanned Collaborative Aircraft (SUCA). These new platforms were shown for the first time at the recently concluded Seoul airshow. Also being displayed in model form is KAI’s Marine Attack Helicopter (MAH-1) along with Air-Launched Effect (ALE) munitions, highlighting KAI’s drive towards integrated manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) operations.

MUCCA: Medium Unmanned Collaborative Combat Aircraft
The MUCCA is a reusable, attritable medium-class UCAV designed as an AI-enabled component within a MUM-T system. It is intended to operate ahead of manned fighters, executing decisive missions in highly contested environments. It will feature stealth capabilities, internal weapon bays, and modular mission payloads — including AESA radar, electro-optical sensors, and electronic warfare (EW) systems. MUCCA can perform both cooperative and autonomous missions with a quoted design range of 1,400 km, Mach 0.85 speed, and a maximum payload of 1,200 kg.

SUCA: Small Unmanned Collaborative Aircraft
The SUCA serves as an expendable, multi-purpose platform supporting ground- or air-launched effects for MUM-T operations. Designed to enhance both lethality and survivability, SUCA is capable of SEAD/DEAD, ISR, and dynamic strike missions. Its modular payload options include warheads, decoys, and EW systems, with a 400 km range, Mach 0.65 speed, and 25 kg payload capacity.

MAH-1: Marine Attack Helicopter
KAI’s MAH-1 is latest evolution of the KUH-1 series, represents the company’s push into advanced naval aviation. The maritime attack helicopter offers a crashworthy airframe, salt-corrosion protection, foldable rotor blades, and full glass cockpit. It is powered by twin 1,800-shp engines. The MAH-1 can carry a suite of armaments including guided air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles, 20 mm turret gun, and 2.75-inch rockets. It is tailored for shipborne operations, enhancing the Republic of Korea’s maritime defence posture.

ALE: Air-Launched Effect
Developed for heli-borne MUM-T operations, the ALE can be launched directly from a manned helicopter to perform a range of missions — from reconnaissance to swarm-based attacks. It supports high-speed deployment, data link communication, and drone swarm reconnaissance roles, providing real-time targeting and extended reach for rotary-wing platforms.

KAI’s Vision for Integrated Air Power is underscored by the company’s commitment to developing interoperable, AI-driven systems capable of operating in contested multi-domain environments. From autonomous unmanned aircraft to advanced naval helicopters, KAI’s technology roadmap positions the company as a key player in the evolution of manned-unmanned teaming and network-centric warfare.

Unmanned-systems / Defence-technology / Multi-domain-operations / Defence-and-security-2025 / Defence-aviation /