Launch of 'Hanwha Aerospace Hub'... Establishing Industry-Academia Network with Seoul National University and Others

University, Field Voices Reflected in Technology Development
Companies Secure Technology and Talent through 'Open Innovation'

On the 7th, at the opening ceremony of the 'Seoul National University-Hanwha Aerospace Hub' held at the College of Engineering, Seoul National University in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, Son Jae-il, CEO of Hanwha Aerospace (front right), is presenting a plaque to Kim Young-oh, Dean of the College of Engineering at Seoul National University. Photo by Hanwha Aerospace

Hanwha Aerospace is taking proactive steps in workforce development and technology advancement to discover future growth engines. The company aims to actively respond to changes in the global defense market where advanced technologies are rapidly introduced, secure technologies in new business areas such as aircraft engines and the space industry, and find future growth opportunities for South Korea.

On the 7th, Hanwha Aerospace announced on the 9th that it established the 'Hanwha Aerospace Hub' with Seoul National University and signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for industry-academia cooperation to carry out future projects. Accordingly, the company has built the 'Hanwha Aerospace Hub,' an industry-academia cooperation network established since 2023 with 10 institutions including Seoul National University, Konkuk University, Pusan National University, Yonsei University, Inha University, Chungnam National University, Chungbuk National University, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Hanyang University, and Korea Aerospace University.

The Hanwha Aerospace Hub will conduct 50 future research projects over the mid-to-long term in advanced defense technology, aircraft engines, and aerospace technology. In the aerospace field, Seoul National University, which is responsible for projects such as aircraft engine component materials and space launch vehicles, along with Konkuk University, Korea Aerospace University, and Chungnam National University, will conduct related research. Defense technology projects will be carried out by Pusan National University (integrated thermal management control for unmanned medium-sized combat vehicles, etc.), Inha University (AI-based target detection, etc.), and Chungbuk National University (guided weapons-related research). KAIST will jointly handle research in autonomous driving and space launch vehicle design and control.

This collaboration is part of an 'open innovation' strategy where universities engage in technology development reflecting the vivid voices from industries competing on the global frontlines, and the company proactively nurtures outstanding talent and secures technology. Unlike previous industry-academia cooperation, the program is designed to conduct mid-to-long-term research in fields with high future growth potential, allowing researchers to systematically build careers in related areas.

With the establishment of this industry-academia cooperation network, Hanwha Aerospace plans to further strengthen the mid-to-long-term virtuous cycle of talent discovery, development, and recruitment that it has been promoting. In addition to the existing 10 universities, the company intends to expand its network with other domestic universities and actively recruit outstanding talent.

Since 2022, the space gifted talent discovery program called 'Pebbles of Space,' operated jointly with affiliates such as Hanwha Systems and Satrec Initiative for middle school first and second graders, is approaching its third graduation. The R&D workforce for advanced aircraft engine development, recently designated as a national advanced strategic technology, is planned to increase from about 250 people last year to over 500 domestically by 2028.

Kim Dong-kwan, Vice Chairman of Hanwha Group, said, "Securing talent and technology is essential for our future, so we will continue to invest responsibly in these fields and contribute to discovering future growth engines for South Korea."

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