▲ This photo, provided by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, shows a turbofan engine for unmanned aerial vehicles under development, on July 7, 2026. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

UAV engines-development

S. Korea unveils UAV engine prototypes for 1st time

SEOUL, July 7 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's state arms procurement agency on Tuesday unveiled prototypes of homegrown aircraft engines for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), as it seeks to reduce reliance on foreign technology, officials said.

The 5,500-pound force turbofan engine, currently under development, is to be mounted on a low-observable unmanned wingman aircraft designed to operate alongside South Korea's homegrown KF-21 fighter jet, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).

The 1,400-horsepower turboprop engine, also being developed, is expected to power reconnaissance UAVs for medium- to high-altitude operations, DAPA said. The two engines have completed assembly and are currently undergoing ground testing.

DAPA and the Agency for Defense Development launched the turbofan and turboprop engine development projects in 2019 and 2021, respectively, in partnership with local defense firms, including Hanwha Aerospace.

The development marks the first time South Korea has built aircraft engines with a long service life using indigenous technology.

The successful completion of the project will enable South Korea to achieve full localization of unmanned aircraft by securing indigenous technology for the engine, as well as the airframe, flight control and mission systems.

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