Korean Air Develops Unmanned Formation Flight [Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club]

Capable of Forming a Team with Manned Fighter Jets for Missions
Development of Stealth Unmanned Reconnaissance Aircraft Planned After Unmanned Swarm Aircraft

Korean Air has rolled out the first prototype of the Low Observable Unmanned Swarm Aircraft (LOWUS) technology demonstrator. The low observable unmanned swarm aircraft refers to drones that autonomously perform missions such as reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and attack while forming a swarm with manned fighter jets.

According to the military on the 25th, to develop the Stingray unmanned aircraft, the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and Korean Air have been developing low observable airframe design technology that is difficult for enemy radar to detect since 2021. This is the low observable design known as ‘stealth.’ They incorporated all the core technologies for stealth aircraft, including applying radar-absorbing materials to the aircraft surface.

Korean Air plans to further develop ‘unmanned swarm aircraft’ and ‘stealth unmanned reconnaissance aircraft’ using the Stingray drone. The unmanned swarm aircraft can perform manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) functions. Before a manned fighter jet infiltrates enemy territory, the stealth unmanned swarm aircraft takes the lead. It can engage the enemy or conduct reconnaissance missions ahead of the manned aircraft. Protecting the life of the fighter pilot is a given. Since unmanned aircraft are deployed simultaneously with manned aircraft, they can respond to sudden situations. The unmanned swarm aircraft is scheduled for its first flight this year, and in 2027, it will conduct joint manned-unmanned operations with government-owned manned aircraft.

First Flight This Year, Joint Manned-Unmanned Operations in 2027

Countries around the world, including the United States, are racing to develop unmanned swarm aircraft. In December 2020, the U.S. Air Force flew the low-cost unmanned combat aircraft XQ-58A ‘Valkyrie’ alongside stealth fighters F-22 ‘Raptor’ and F-35 ‘Lightning II’ at the Yuma Test Range in Arizona. The test aimed to verify whether the XQ-58 could communicate properly with the F-22 and F-35. In the future, the Valkyrie will take the lead in entering enemy territory to conduct reconnaissance or attack missions ahead of the F-22 and F-35.

Previously, Korean Air developed the Stingray-X1 unmanned aircraft in 2014. The Stingray-X1 is a scaled-down version of a large unmanned combat aircraft, reduced to 46% of the size of a 10.4m length, 14.8m wingspan, and 10-ton weight aircraft. The Stingray-X1 flew 50 km in 1 hour and 30 minutes, opening the possibility for unmanned combat aircraft development. Korean Air plans to develop the attack-type unmanned combat aircraft Stingray-X2 next. It can be equipped with Korean-made medium-range guided bombs and is called a ‘mini B-2 bomber.’ To mount weapons, it is expected to be equipped with a 5,500-pound class turbofan engine currently under development for stealth unmanned aircraft. Stealth unmanned combat aircraft being developed by the U.S. and others use 10,000-pound class engines.

Korean Air to Develop Hypersonic Materials

Based on Stingray unmanned aircraft technology, Korean Air also plans to develop a ‘stealth unmanned reconnaissance aircraft.’ This aims to create a Korean version of the U.S.-operated stealth unmanned combat aircraft X-47B and RQ-180 stealth reconnaissance aircraft. The stealth unmanned reconnaissance aircraft will be equipped with electro-optical infrared detection equipment and synthetic aperture radar, enabling it to penetrate deep into North Korean airspace and conduct reconnaissance missions at any time.

To this end, Korean Air plans to develop high heat-resistant and radar-absorbing materials for hypersonic vehicles. Hypersonic vehicles fly at speeds exceeding Mach 9 (approximately 11,000 km/h). At this speed, temperatures above 2,000 degrees Celsius occur at the front of the vehicle. If the vehicle cannot withstand this heat, it will melt before reaching its destination. Therefore, high heat-resistant and radar-absorbing materials are essential for hypersonic vehicles.

A Korean Air official said, "To achieve stealth performance, unmanned aircraft must have composite airframe materials that can withstand engine heat while absorbing external radar waves," adding, "Developing this technology will enable not only stealth unmanned aircraft but also hypersonic missiles."

Meanwhile, Korean Air held a ceremony at the Korean Air Tech Center in Busan to commemorate the rollout of the first low observable unmanned swarm aircraft technology demonstrator, the core platform of the manned-unmanned complex system.

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