The South Korean Air Force (ROKAF) moved forward with the incorporation of new unmanned capabilities with the unveiling of the first production example of the KUS-FS MUAV, a locally developed Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle whose entry into operational service is scheduled for early 2027.
The system, developed by Korean Air together with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), was officially presented during a rollout ceremony that marked the factory rollout of the first serial-production example. This milestone represents the beginning of the production phase and its future incorporation into the ROKAF, within the framework of strengthening its ISR and unmanned operations capabilities.
The KUS-FS positions itself as a large platform within its category, with an estimated weight of more than 5.7 tons, similar to that of the MQ-9 Reaper, which makes it one of the largest UAVs developed by South Korea. It is designed to operate at an altitude of up to 12,000 meters and sustain missions of up to 24 hours of continuous duration, key characteristics for persistent surveillance operations.
After the project began in 2012, and following several delays, South Korea started the development process for this aerial vehicle in 2020. Years later, specifically in December 2023, South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) signed a production agreement worth 471.7 billion won, approximately 352.8 million dollars, with Korean Air, the country’s largest airline, and with two defense-specialized companies: LIG Nex1 and Hanwha Systems. As a result, mass production officially began in January 2024.
As for its capabilities, the drone incorporates a sensor suite that includes radar, electro-optical (EO), and infrared (IR) systems, allowing it to perform reconnaissance and surveillance tasks at ranges of up to 100 kilometers while generating real-time information for distribution across different units. This capability is central to improving situational awareness in joint operations.
The MUAV is part of a broader strategy by the South Korean Air Force aimed at developing an ecosystem of unmanned systems and combined manned-unmanned operations (MUM-T). In parallel with the KUS-FS, according to what has emerged from various open sources, South Korea is advancing other programs such as the KUS-LW (LOWUS), the KUS-FX, as well as the AAP-150, AAP-220, and MUCCA systems, all intended to expand its capabilities across different segments of the UAV spectrum.
With the rollout of this first example and its upcoming operational incorporation, South Korea is taking a significant step in consolidating its defense industry and building a fleet of long-endurance drones, in line with trends observed in recent conflicts, where unmanned systems have taken on a central role in the conduct of military operations.
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