South Korean Air Force's new KUS-FS MALE UAV identifies ground targets 130 kilometers away.

At the KADEX 2024 exhibition, South Korea presented its new KUS-FS medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (MALE UAV). Jointly developed by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and Korean Air Aerospace Division (KAL-ASD), mass production of the KUS-FS began in January 2024, following the establishment of defense standards in March 2023. The UAV has a service ceiling of up to 13,716 meters (45,000 feet) and can scan ground targets up to 110 kilometers away, with surveillance systems precise enough to identify specific sites from 130 kilometers away.
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The South Korean Air Force (ROKAF) plans to procure two to three complete KUS-FS systems, totaling about ten air vehicles, with deliveries expected by 2028. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

Development of the KUS-FS started in 2006 under the Roh Moo-hyun administration, with actual development commencing in 2008. The first prototype was unveiled in May 2011, and the first flight took place in February 2012. Despite facing challenges, including delays and defects in the anti-icing system needed for high-altitude operations, development concluded in March 2022. Mass production began in January 2024, following the creation of defense standards in March 2023.

The KUS-FS is 13 meters long, with a wingspan of 25 meters and a height of 3 meters. It is powered by a 1,200-horsepower turboprop engine developed by Hanwha Aerospace, a modified version of the Samsung Techwin SS-760K engine used in the SSM-700K C-Star anti-ship missile. The UAV has a maximum takeoff weight of 5,750 kilograms and a top speed of 360 kilometers per hour.

The UAV can remain in the air for more than 24 hours, operating at altitudes ranging from 10,000 to 13,716 meters (33,000 to 45,000 feet). From this altitude, it can scan ground targets up to 110 kilometers away and is equipped with systems that can identify sites within the Seoul Sports Complex from 130 kilometers away. Its operational radius is 500 kilometers, making it suited for extended surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

The KUS-FS has four underwing hardpoints that can carry munitions, including domestically produced Cheongeom air-to-ground anti-tank missiles. (Picture source: Korean Forces Network)

Korean Air is responsible for system integration and aircraft manufacturing, and the KUS-FS is equipped with avionics supplied by South Korean defense companies. Hanwha Systems provides electro-optical and infrared sensors, enhancing its ability to perform missions in various weather conditions, day and night.

LIG Nex1 supplies the ground control system (GCS), synthetic-aperture radar (SAR), known as NexSAR, and data link systems for line-of-sight (LOS) and satellite communications (SATCOM). LIG Nex1 also provides the GPS anti-jamming device, electric actuators, automatic test equipment (ATE), integrated mission computer, forward-looking infrared (FLIR) systems, radio altimeter (RALT), flight control computer (FLCC), and virtual flight data recorder (VFDR). This collaboration has resulted in a UAV that meets, and in some cases exceeds, the capabilities of similar foreign systems.

The UAV has four underwing hardpoints that can carry munitions, including domestically produced Cheongeom air-to-ground anti-tank missiles. This allows the KUS-FS to function as an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), similar to the U.S.-built MQ-9 Reaper and Turkey’s Bayraktar TB2. Its precision strike capability complements its reconnaissance role, providing a versatile platform for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF).

The KUS-FS is powered by a 1,200-horsepower turboprop engine developed by Hanwha Aerospace, a modified version of the Samsung Techwin SS-760K engine used in the SSM-700K C-Star anti-ship missile. (Picture source: South Korean MoD)

The establishment of the 39th Reconnaissance Squadron at Chungju Air Base in November 2020 highlighted the Air Force’s commitment to integrating advanced UAVs into its operations. The squadron is expected to operate the KUS-FS alongside other reconnaissance assets like the RF-16 and RQ-4 Global Hawk. The ROKAF plans to procure two to three complete KUS-FS systems, totaling about ten air vehicles, with deliveries expected by 2028.

Throughout its development, the KUS-FS program has highlighted South Korea’s efforts to enhance its defense capabilities through indigenous technology. The program faced challenges, including a prototype crash in December 2019 and issues with icing at high altitudes, affecting key equipment such as cameras. Despite these challenges, the program advanced, aiming to reduce reliance on foreign military technology.

The KUS-FS also marks an advancement in unmanned aerial technology, achieving capabilities typically associated with larger manned reconnaissance aircraft. It can capture high-resolution images from altitudes between 6,000 and 13,000 meters, covering areas up to 110 kilometers away, comparable to platforms like the Boeing RC-135.

Furthermore, this UAV has a low noise profile, making it difficult to detect from the ground when operating at high altitudes. Its armament allows it to perform strike missions with minimal warning, and the supersonic missiles it carries can reach targets before the sound is detected.

Mass production of the KUS-FS began in January 2024, following the creation of defense standards in March 2023. (Picture source: Korean Forces Network)