Korean Air's KUS-FT UAV Recognized as Top Industrial Technology Achievement

KUS-FT, Korean Air’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) which features the latest automatic landing technology, has been recognized as one of the “2021 Top 15 Industrial Technology Achievements” by The National Academy of Engineering of Korea (NAEK).

NAEK is a research institute that shines light on engineering contributions toward domestic engineering development, and backs relevant projects. Since 2006, the institute has annually recognized industrial technology achievements based on social and economic contributions, and future potential.

The KUS-FT tactical UAV is 4.5 m wide, 3.7 m long and 0.9 m in height. It became the first domestic UAV to receive airworthiness certification in 2016 and the first mass production of the KUS-FT was completed in December 2020. The aircraft is currently being used by the Republic of Korea’s military.

The entire process from takeoff, flight to landing, is automated, and reconnaissance missions can be carried out for 24 consecutive hours when two UAVs are operated simultaneously.

The KUS-FT is equipped with autonomous landing technology, and may be easily transported by ground vehicles, and then launched by a mobile launch pad. As a result, operational safety and convenience are maximized, enhancing surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities of the Korean military.

Korean Air is also developing an advanced “lift & cruise” UAV, the KUS-VS.

Lift & cruise technology takes advantage of independent thrusters for cruise and for lift. During vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), the UAV uses lift thrust powered by vertically-mounted rotors, and once cruise altitude is reached, the horizontally-mounted rotors provide propulsion thrust. The technology allows for a faster cruising speed and higher maximum flight range than helicopters. The airline plans to later propose the KUS-VS to the military as a next-generation division-level UAV.

Korean Air’s aerospace business division has an extensive portfolio of UAVs including 5-ton high-performing strategic UAVs, tiltrotor UAVs, next-generation stealth UAVs, multipurpose unmanned helicopters and hybrid drones.

In addition, the company is developing infrastructure such as a traffic management system for UAVs and future urban air mobility (UAM).

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