KUS-FT
Korean Air Aerospace Division · South Korea · also known as KUS-FS, MUAV, Medium-Altitude UAV · Updated
KUS-FT is an earlier name for the KUS-FS, a medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle developed by South Korea's Korean Air Aerospace Division with the Agency for Defense Development, first flown in February 2012. Korean Air also referred to the programme as the MUAV (Medium-Altitude UAV) before settling on the KUS-FS designation; this page and the KUS-FS page describe the same aircraft.
Overview
Development began in 2008 as a joint programme between South Korea's Agency for Defense Development and Korean Air Aerospace Division, targeting a domestically built strategic-reconnaissance UAV for the Republic of Korea Air Force's Group 5 requirement. The aircraft first flew in February 2012 under the KUS-FT/MUAV name. Testing, originally due to finish in 2019, was delayed several years by high-altitude airframe icing problems before development concluded in March 2022, by which point Korean Air was using the KUS-FS designation. South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration signed a 471.7 billion won (about US$353.6 million) production contract in December 2023, and mass production began in January 2024 with Korean Air as prime contractor alongside subsystem partners LIG Nex1 and Hanwha Systems/Hanwha Aerospace.
Design and capabilities
The airframe has a 25 m wingspan and a 13 m length, with a maximum take-off weight of 5,750 kg. It is powered by a single turboprop rated at 1,200 hp (890 kW), derived from the Samsung Techwin SS-760K turbojet originally built for the SSM-700K C-Star anti-ship missile. Korean Air quotes a cruise speed of about 190 kt (352 km/h), a maximum speed of 360 km/h, a service ceiling of 13,716 m (45,000 ft), a range of 500 km and an endurance in excess of 24 hours. It carries LIG Nex1's NexSAR synthetic-aperture radar and Hanwha Systems electro-optical/infrared sensors, with satellite, Ku-band and UHF line-of-sight datalinks, and four underwing hardpoints that are currently unarmed.
Operational history
Deliveries to the Republic of Korea Air Force are expected to run from 2024 through 2028, covering two to three complete systems totalling roughly ten air vehicles; the type has not yet entered operational service.
Frequently asked questions
Is KUS-FT a different aircraft from KUS-FS?
No. KUS-FT and MUAV (Medium-Altitude UAV) were the names Korean Air used for this aircraft earlier in development, before it was finalised as KUS-FS.
What is the range and endurance of this aircraft?
Korean Air quotes a range of 500 km and an endurance of more than 24 hours.
When did it first fly?
February 2012, under the KUS-FT designation.
Who makes it?
Korean Air's Aerospace Division, with South Korea's Agency for Defense Development, LIG Nex1 and Hanwha Systems/Hanwha Aerospace.
