[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] Manned and Unmanned Aircraft Simultaneous Operations Become a Reality

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Interest is growing in manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) operations as the unmanned reconnaissance and attack aircraft known as the 'Killer Drone,' the Gray Eagle-ER (Extended Range), has been deployed to the US Forces Korea. The Gray Eagle operates paired with the Apache Guardian (AH-64E) attack helicopter in missions.

Twelve Gray Eagles are deployed and operated at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, specifically the Gray Eagle Extended Range variant. They are utilized for MUM-T operations, where Apache helicopter pilots remotely control the Gray Eagle. Using information received from the Gray Eagle’s sensors, they can attack targets that cannot be targeted independently.

The joint operations between the Apache and Gray Eagle mark the first practical application of the MUM-T concept by the US military. The maximum remote control range of the Apache helicopter over the Gray Eagle is known to be up to 110 km.

During the joint US-ROK exercise 'Ulchi Freedom Shield' (UFS), the US military showcased the Gray Eagle and Apache helicopters standing side by side, demonstrating the combined defense posture and strong deterrence capability.

The Gray Eagle-ER is an upgraded version of the existing Gray Eagle. Compared to the original Gray Eagle, the Gray Eagle-ER has approximately 50% increased flight time and armament capacity, and it also possesses the capability to guide anti-ship ballistic missiles capable of destroying North Korean naval vessels.

The Gray Eagle-ER is an upgraded version of the Gray Eagle unmanned attack aircraft (MQ-1C) and can fly for over 40 hours. Its armaments include Hellfire missiles capable of attacking enemy tanks approximately 8 km away and the latest small precision-guided bomb, the GBU-44/B 'Viper Strike,' among others, with a total bomb and missile payload of about 1 ton. It has a wingspan of 17.4 m, a length of 8.1 m, a maximum speed of 280 km/h, and a maximum takeoff weight of 1,890 kg. Additionally, it is equipped with the Lynx Block 30A long-range radar and Synthetic Aperture Radar/Ground Moving Target Indicator (SAR/GMTI), enabling it to detect targets up to 75 km away.

The Republic of Korea military also plans to upgrade the performance of the Apache Guardian attack helicopters it currently operates. The core of this upgrade is to enhance the existing Apache Guardian helicopters to the latest Apache Guardian 'Version 6.' Once the upgrade is complete, MUM-T operations will also become possible.

For this reason, a project to introduce unmanned aircraft to operate alongside the Apache Guardian is also expected to proceed. The Army plans to additionally acquire Apache Guardian attack helicopters for rapid response divisions in the future. The number is reported to be between a minimum of 24 and a maximum of 48 units.

The Air Force is also conducting MUM-T operations. Last year, the military officially announced plans to operate the domestically produced KF-21 fighter jet and the domestic unmanned stealth fighter Gaori-X in combination.

The Ministry of National Defense stated, "The domestically produced stealth unmanned combat aircraft is being developed by the Agency for Defense Development under the name 'Gaori-X.' It is an advanced unmanned system that uses AI (artificial intelligence) to autonomously penetrate enemy air defense networks or strike radars while engaging in aerial combat." They added, "The Korean unmanned stealth fighter based on the KF-21 platform is becoming a reality, bringing the dream and hope of protecting the airspace of the Republic of Korea closer to realization."

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