Domestic Small Armed Helicopters to Be Operated in Coordination with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

[Asia Economy (Sacheon) = Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] A manned-unmanned combined system that operates a domestically developed Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) in conjunction with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is being pursued.

According to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) on the 1st, a plan is under review to rapidly operationalize a manned-unmanned combined system linking the LAH and domestically developed UAVs through rapid demonstration acquisition projects. This corresponds to the first phase of the manned-unmanned combined system, where a ground control station operates the UAV and transmits the received information to the LAH to be utilized in helicopter operations.

Lee Bo-hyung, Head of the Helicopter Project Division at DAPA (Army Brigadier General), said during a briefing on the LAH project held on the 24th of last month at KAI in Sacheon, Gyeongnam, for reporters covering the Ministry of National Defense, "Since the LAH and UAV have already been secured, the first phase could be demonstrated within two years at the earliest."

The second phase of the manned-unmanned combined system, which involves carrying canister (launch tube)-launched drones inside the LAH for reconnaissance and strike purposes, is also expected to be realized within five years at the earliest.

Lee added, "We are currently developing battalion-level attack UAVs, with completion expected around 2026. If these are mounted on helicopters and the interface is enhanced, we believe operational deployment can proceed in line with development progress."

The LAH, developed by modifying the first domestically developed small civil helicopter (LCH), unlike other attack helicopters, has spatial room in the rear interior. According to DAPA, this provides scalability to directly carry UAVs or drones or personnel who control and operate them.

The manned-unmanned combined system can also increase the LAH’s survivability and operational effectiveness. Lee said, "When helicopter pilots fly over mountains, their biggest fear is whether enemies are beyond the mountain. If a UAV is deployed to check ahead, the chances of survival increase significantly."

He added, "The effectiveness of the manned-unmanned combined system is reported to improve survivability and operational effectiveness by about 50% compared to manned-only operations."

DAPA and KAI are reportedly planning to ultimately develop the manned-unmanned combined system to a stage where UAVs are launched from the LAH, remotely controlled and operated to perform reconnaissance, search and rescue missions, and safely conduct precision strikes on key targets using attack weapons embedded in the UAVs.

The LAH boasts excellent mobility as a small attack helicopter equipped with domestically produced air-to-ground missiles (AGM) Cheongeom, 20mm machine guns, and 70mm rockets, capable of various missions including its primary task of destroying enemy tanks, providing cover for airborne assault units, and powerful reconnaissance.

Prototypes 1 through 3 received provisional combat suitability certification in December last year and are undergoing subsequent testing and evaluation. If the combat suitability certification is obtained as scheduled in August next year, system development will conclude in 2023.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.