Korean Air KUS-FS

Lore & Background

Development of the KUS-FS began 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.

The aircraft is 13 m (43 ft) long with a 25 m (82 ft) wingspan and a height of 3 m (9.8 ft). It is 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.

Reader's Guide

The KUS-FS represents a significant step in South Korea's indigenous unmanned aerial vehicle capabilities, being developed by the Agency for Defense Development and Korean Air Aerospace Division for the South Korean Air Force's Group 5 UAV system. Its development spanned from 2008 to March 2022, with first flight in 2012. The aircraft is notable for its long endurance of over 24 hours and high service ceiling of 13,000 m (43,000 ft), enabling surveillance that can identify a specific seat in a sports complex 130 km away. It carries four underwing hardpoints for munitions. Production began in January 2024, with the Republic of Korea Air Force planning to procure two to three complete systems (about 10 air vehicles) by 2025, with deliveries completed in 2028. The KUS-FS is in the same class as the US-built General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper UAV, placing it among advanced MALE UAVs globally.