Korea develops unmanned tiltrotor aircraft

Korea on Wednesday unveiled its first unmanned tiltrotor aircraft, capable of vertical takeoff and landing as well as high-speed navigation.
The Ministry of Knowledge Economy and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute disclosed the new “smart” aircraft at the aerospace center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province.
The state-funded aerospace think tank is negotiating with government agencies for commercial use of the vehicle.
“We have just completed the research and development program, and are in talks with the ministries of defense, land and knowledge economy about the next step,” said Park Kyun-je, chief of KARI’s smart aerial vehicle development center.
“Our UAV can now fly at about a speed of 400 kph, and our aim is to raise it to 500.”
Most helicopters’ maximum speed is between 200 and 300 kph.
In addition to military use by the Navy and the Marines, KARI expects the aircraft to be useful for reconnaissance of coasts and islands, prevention and control of forest fires, transportation monitoring and atmospheric and environmental observation.
The tiltrotor aircraft could also be used in the future as a platform for personal air vehicles which enable door-to-door transportation without the use of runways, KARI said in a press release.
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