KAI Partners with Multinational Firms for Aerospace Development

Agreement with U.S. KRATOS on Manned-Unmanned Teaming Systems
Mutual Cooperation with Airbus in the Aerospace Sector

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has announced plans to collaborate with multinational partners in aerospace development at the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition 2025 (AEDX 2025).

According to KAI on October 20, the company has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the U.S.-based KRATOS for mutual cooperation in the field of manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) systems.

Through this MOU, the two companies will establish a cooperative relationship to enter the domestic MUM-T market and subsequently pursue joint entry into overseas MUM-T markets. Both sides have agreed to explore ways to collaborate in the field of manned-unmanned teaming systems.

This agreement is expected to foster cooperation between KAI, the only domestic aircraft systems integrator, and KRATOS, a global leader in the unmanned aerial vehicle market, thereby advancing technological capabilities and business competitiveness in the MUM-T sector.

KAI has identified manned-unmanned teaming systems, which combine manned platforms and unmanned aerial vehicles, as one of its six future platforms. Recently, KAI announced the brand name "KAILOT" for its AI Pilot, a core technology of MUM-T, and is working to secure Korea's "Sovereign AI" capabilities.

KRATOS is a leading company in the unmanned aerial vehicle sector, with a portfolio that includes the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) XQ-58 Valkyrie, unmanned target drones BQM-167, BQM-177, and MQM-178. Over the past 25 years, KRATOS has produced and operated these high-performance UAVs. More recently, the company has accumulated significant experience with the U.S. military in CCA and MUM-T projects.

KAI is also joining hands with Airbus. The two companies have signed an MOU to expand comprehensive mutual cooperation in the defense and aerospace sectors.

They plan to collaborate in various aerospace fields, including special mission aircraft, high-speed medium utility helicopters, aerial refueling flight tests for the KF-21 and FA-50, and strengthening military satellite communication capabilities.

KAI stated that over the past 20 years, it has maintained diverse collaborations with Airbus based on mutual trust, including joint development, technology cooperation, and industrial partnerships in the defense and aerospace industries. Starting with the development of the Korean Utility Helicopter (KUH, Surion), KAI and Airbus have worked together in the defense sector on projects such as the Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) and technology transfer for aerial refueling receiver certification for the KF-21.

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