KUS-FT BAK RQ-102
At the end of 2016, KAL-ASD began to deliver tactical KUS-FT BAK (also known as RQ-102) to the South Korean army and Marine Corps. The program should be supplied 16 such BAC, the production of which is scheduled to be completed in 2020 year. In December 2015, KAL-ASD received from DAPA the defense procurement office a contract for this program worth over 30 million dollars. Some sources claim that a limited number of UAVs have already been delivered to the army and marines before the start of the main program.
The KUS-FT UAV is based on previous work on the KUS-7 and KUS-9 drone aircraft and is distinguished by the smooth mating of the wing and fuselage and the beam tail. It is equipped with a rotary piston engine UEL with electronic fuel injection power 38 hp KUS-FT has a length of 3,7 meter, height of 0,9 meter and wingspan of 4,5 meter.
These drones are designed for reconnaissance, target detection and target designation and combat damage assessment, they will be equipped with target optical-electronic equipment with a laser rangefinder from Hanwha Thales, installed at the bottom of the fuselage. Although it is clear that the installation of other equipment on these UAVs is not planned in the short term, it is possible to integrate additional systems.
The drone can be launched either automatically from the rail or take off after the run from the runway. The return occurs due to a deep stall when landing and the network on the runway. The company KAL-ASD say that it allows you to stop the drone just 30 meters from the point of contact of the earth.
The development of the new KUS-FT platform is curious by the fact that numerous foreign manufacturers offer their ready-made LHCs that have been operated in real conditions, which, moreover, are superior to those of KUS-FT. Creating a new platform from scratch may be due to the desire of the Office of DAPA and the South Korean military to support local industry.
Korean Air’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), KUS-FT, which has adopted the latest automatic landing technology, was 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 engineering projects. Since 2006, the institute has annually recognized industrial technology achievements based on social and economic contributions, and future potential.
The recognized tactical UAV, KUS-FT, with dimensions of 4.5 m (width), 3.7 m (length) and 0.9 m (height), became the first domestic UAV to receive airworthiness certification in 2016. The first mass production of the KUS-FT was completed in December 2020, and it 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 world-class 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. This 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 pioneers the Korean domestic UAV industry with its technology prowess and insight. It possesses a wide range of UAVs including 5-ton high-performing strategic UAVs, tiltrotor UAVs, next-generation stealth UAVs, multipurpose unmanned helicopters and hybrid drones. In addition, Korean Air continues to develop infrastructure such as a traffic management system for UAVs and future urban air mobility (UAM).
