S. Korea unveils UAV engine prototypes for 1st time

South Korea’s state arms procurement agency unveiled prototypes of domestically developed aircraft engines for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), marking the first time the country has revealed prototypes of long-service-life, indigenously built UAV engines, officials said.

The centerpiece is a 5,500-pound-force class turbofan engine currently under development. It is intended for a low-observable “unmanned wingman” aircraft designed to operate alongside South Korea’s homegrown KF-21 fighter jet. Officials said the engine has completed assembly and is now undergoing ground testing.

South Korea also unveiled a 1,400-horsepower turboprop engine for reconnaissance UAVs capable of medium- to high-altitude operations. Like the turbofan, the turboprop has completed assembly and is undergoing ground testing.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said the turbofan and turboprop development projects began in 2019 and 2021 respectively, developed with local defense firms, including Hanwha Aerospace. DAPA and the Agency for Defense Development said success will support full localization of unmanned aircraft propulsion by securing indigenous engine technology, alongside work already underway on airframe, flight control, and mission systems.