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KAI / Boeing KUS-VJ

2025 MODERN AIRCRAFT DRONE TECHNOLOGY FUTURE FLIGHT

History of KAI/Boeing KUS-VJ

The rise of unmanned attack aircraft on the battlefield is also quite obvious to ordinary observers. Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) of South Korea and Boeing of the United States have agreed to jointly develop an unmanned attack aircraft.

A version of the successful MD500 series of light helicopters. Since the RAF has a large number of aging MD500 units, the project will envisage upgrading these systems to an unmanned model, named "KUS-VH".

A full-scale model of the product was shown at the 2015 Seoul Aerospace & Defense Exhibition.

Helicopters will now have reduced readiness on the battlefield without the need for a pilot. The cabin is said to be occupied by a large internal fuel tank, which increases the helicopter's range by 100 percent. The common windshield surface of the MD500 is covered.

Overall, the unit's form and function remain unchanged. Optcis is inserted into the panel below the chin. Korean Air is also marketing the development as part of a low-cost approach to a similar manned system with the same capabilities.

Armament options include rocket pods, cannon pods, and rockets, which, when coupled to shipboard systems, provide surgical strike capabilities without causing pilot losses in enemy territory.

While the RAF is not actively looking for a product like the KUS-VH, the potential reuse of obsolete stockpiles of MD500 helicopters may be enough for the Air Force to seriously consider it. The number of MD500s currently in service will be in the hundreds over the next decade.

Boeing's participation in the program is critical, not only because of the company's status as a global defense contractor, but also because of its recent experience developing its own H-6U "Little Bird" unmanned helicopter (elsewhere on this site detailed description). KUH-VH can be exported to allies in the United States and South Korea.