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Korean Air KUS-FS

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). Development started in 2008, with its first flight occurring in 2012 and development concluding in March 2022. 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.

Design and development

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). 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, 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). There are four underwing hardpoints which can be used to carry munitions.

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 and deliveries completed in 2028. Production began in January 2024.

Specifications

Data from Korean Air Aerospace, Hanwha Systems, and LIG Nex1

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)

Performance