- Source: 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 Nex1General 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
Maximum speed: 360 km/h (220 mph, 190 kn)
Range: 500 km (310 mi, 270 nmi)
Endurance: 24 hours
Service ceiling: 13,716 m (45,000 ft)
Avionics
Electro-optics (EO) by Hanwha Systems
Infrared (IR) by Hanwha Systems
NexSAR Synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) by LIG Nex1
Line of sight (LOS) data link by LIG Nex1
Satellite data link by LIG Nex1
GPS anti-jamming device by LIG Nex1
Starfire MXF-4058 U/VHF-AM Radio by BAE Systems
Integrated mission computer by LIG Nex1
Forward-looking infrared (FLIR) by LIG Nex1
Radio altimeter (RALT) by LIG Nex1
Flight control computer (FLCC) by LIG Nex1
References
External links
Kata Kunci Pencarian:
- Angkatan Udara Republik Korea
- Korean Air KUS-FS
- Republic of Korea Air Force
- Defense Acquisition Program Administration
- Agency for Defense Development
- List of unmanned aerial vehicles
- List of airline codes
