South Korea unveils UAV engine prototypes still in ground testing

South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration unveiled prototypes of two domestically developed aircraft engines for unmanned aerial vehicles on July 7. The 5,500-pound-force turbofan engine is intended for a low-observable unmanned wingman aircraft that would operate alongside the KF-21 fighter jet.

The 1,400-horsepower turboprop engine is designed to power reconnaissance UAVs at medium to high altitudes.

Both engines have completed assembly and are now undergoing ground testing, Yonhap reported. Development of the turbofan engine began in 2019 and the turboprop engine in 2021. The Agency for Defense Development leads the projects in partnership with local firms including Hanwha Aerospace.

Officials said the engines are the first long-service-life aircraft engines South Korea has built with only domestic technology, though they are still undergoing ground tests. Successful completion would allow full localization of unmanned aircraft systems, covering the engine, airframe, flight control and mission equipment, according to DAPA.