Korean Air Aerospace Division Develops Unmanned Version Of A U.S.-Made Helicopter; First Test Flight Scheduled For This Month
At the 2015 Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition, South Korean aircraft manufacturer, Korean Air Aerospace Division (KAL-ASD), unveiled an unmanned replica of the of the U.S.-manufactured MD 500 light attack helicopter, reported The Diplomat Oct. 22.
During the event, the unmanned variant of the MD 500 was assigned the title KUS-VH (Korean Air Unmanned System - Vertical Helicopter) and had all its windows blackened out. It was equipped with two air-to-surface missiles Lockheed Martin AGM-114 Hellfire and a pod of rockets at 2.75 inch-diameter.
The KUS-VH will reportedly have two prototypes, with the first flight test being set for October.
The unmanned replica of the U.S.-made helicopter was the brainchild of Boeing and KAL-ASD after extensive technological partnership, in line with Boeing's offset obligation following Seoul's purchase in 2013 of 36 units of AH-64E Apache attack helicopters.
According to Shephard Media, the cooperation agreement between Boeing and KAL-ASD is referred to by Boeing as Project 25 and is set to end on Dec. 31 of this year.
The goal of this agreement was "to help the Koreans understand what goes into building an optionally piloted vehicle," said Boeing's senior manager of AH-6i sales and marketing, Jim Barker.
The optionally piloted Unmanned Little Bird helicopter was developed by Boeing in the U.S., but South Korea's KUS-VH will be fully unmanned, with its three primary functions being ISR, attack and air delivery.
South Korea's move to convert their existing helicopters to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) could help them save tons of money as the cost per flight reduces significantly resulting to more affordable and cheaper flights, noted Value Walk on Thursday.
In addition, the fleet of Apaches purchased by Seoul is equipped with a technology that enables Apache gunners to control the UAV KUS-VH's weapons remotely.
South Korea has not yet officially announced the conversion of its fleet of MD 500 helicopters, but tests are set in the next two years.
"The first of these will see the aircraft's basic flight performance tested, and the second will involve the design undergoing simulated missions," noted Flight Global. "The last phase will see weapons employed."