South Korea Tests its Indigenous New UAV

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South Korea has been accelerating its efforts to develop and manufacture its own technologies. A prototype of the South Korean Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) has been revealed recently undergoing flight testing, ahead of the planned conclusion of development later this year. The indigenous new UAV is designed to fly at an altitude of up to 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) with radar scanning ability of up to 100 kilometers (62 miles).

The indigenously developed KUS-FS is designed for armed land and sea Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions with an endurance of up to 24 hours. The

KUF-FS features a V-tail and vertical ventral fin similar to the US-built General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper UAV, according to aviationanalysis.net. It reportedly has a wider wingspan than the Reaper at 25 m and is powered by a 1200 hp Pratt & Whitney PT6 turboprop engine.

The prototype with marking 001 in South Korean Air Force (ROKAF) livery is also equipped with four underwing weapon stations, with one station holding a trial munition. Onboard sensors include a chin mounted EO/IR turret, a 360-degree capable belly mounted maritime radar to detect targets at sea and Electronic Support Measures (under the fuselage, behind wings) to identify and locate signals from maritime vessels.

Speaking to janes.com, officials from the Korean Agency for Defense Development noted that there has been no foreign involvement in the development of the KUS-FS, and that the physical resemblance to the Predator/Reaper is down to that being the optimum design for this class of UAV.