KAI RQ-101 Songgolmae
South Korean unarmed reconnaissance UAV for corps-level intelligence.
The KAI RQ-101 Songgolmae (Korean: RQ-101 송골매) is an unarmed South Korean military drone built for corps-level commanders. It was developed by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), with development finishing in 2000. The South Korean Army has used it for intelligence gathering since 2002.
The project began after the South Korean Army, which had been using Israeli Searcher drones, started its own UAV development in 1991 for ground surveillance and reconnaissance by corps units. Exploratory work ran from 1991 to 1992, system development started in 1993, and operational tests continued until 1997. The drone was officially named Songgolmae, meaning "peregrine falcon." The exact number in service is not publicly known, though sources indicated several dozen were in use as of 2017.
The RQ-101 has a wingspan of 6.4 meters and a length of 4.7 meters, built from lightweight carbon fiber and glass fiber composites. Its 52-horsepower engine gives it a top speed of 185 km/h and a cruising speed of 150 km/h. It can reach a maximum altitude of 4,500 meters, stay airborne for about six hours, and cover a radius of 110 to 200 kilometers. Gross weight is 215 kg, maximum takeoff weight is 290 kg, and it can carry a 50 kg payload. It is equipped with electro-optics, forward-looking infrared, GPS/INS navigation, and a line-of-sight data link for real-time surveillance and reconnaissance. A standard HD video camera sends live images.
A performance improvement program ran from 2009 to 2011, upgrading mission and ground control hardware, with three minor updates through 2015. However, due to a lack of further development budget, no more upgrades are planned. Since 2012, Korea Aerospace Industries has been developing a next-generation UAV, the NCUAV, to replace the RQ-101.
The only operator is the Republic of Korea Army.
Quick Facts
- Aircraft Type
- Unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance aerial vehicle
- National Origin
- South Korea
- Manufacturer
- Korea Aerospace Industries
- Designer
- Agency for Defense Development / Korea Aerospace Industries
- Primary User
- Republic of Korea Army
- Construction Date
- 2000–present
- Introduction
- 2002
- First Flight
- 1993
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The South Korean Army previously used Searcher UAVs imported from Israel. In 1991, South Korea began developing its own UAVs for ground surveillance and reconnaissance by Corps-level units. Exploratory development ran from 1991 to 1992, system development began in 1993, and operational tests were conducted until 1997, with development officially completed in 2000. The RQ-101 is made of high-strength, light carbon fiber and glass fiber composites, with a wingspan of 6.4 meters and length of 4.7 meters. Its 52-horsepower engine gives a maximum speed of 185 km/h and cruising speed of 150 km/h, with a service ceiling of about 4,500 meters and endurance of six hours. The aircraft carries a payload of 50 kg and is equipped with electro-optics, forward-looking infrared, GPS/INS navigation, and a line-of-sight data link for real-time target acquisition.
Reader's Guide
The RQ-101 Songgolmae represents South Korea's first indigenously developed military UAV, replacing imported Searcher systems. It has been in service with the Republic of Korea Army since 2002, providing corps commanders with reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities. A performance improvement program ran from 2009 to 2011, upgrading mission equipment and ground control hardware, with three minor improvements through 2015. However, further upgrades have ceased due to lack of additional development budget. Since 2012, Korea Aerospace Industries has been developing a next-generation UAV named the NCUAV to replace the RQ-101. The exact number in service is not officially known, though public sources indicated several dozen in 2017.
Did You Know?
- The RQ-101 Songgolmae was developed by the Agency for Defense Development and Korea Aerospace Industries in 2000.
- It is an unarmed UAV designed for corps commanders and has been deployed by the South Korean Army since 2002.
- A next-generation UAV named the NCUAV has been under development since 2012 to replace the RQ-101.
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