Hanwha Aerospace launches UAV engine development program with Korea AeroSpace Administration
• Hanwha Aerospace and KASA to jointly develop 4,500-pound-class turbofan engine by 2029 through matching-fund investment
• Engine integrates starter-generator for power-intensive platforms including CCA; dual-use design applicable to civil aviation
• Program is part of a UAV propulsion portfolio backed by approximately KRW 750 billion in planned investment
KASA and Hanwha Aerospace
Hanwha Aerospace has announced a joint development program with the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) to produce a 4,500-pound-class turbofan engine for Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) and other unmanned aerial platforms.
Hanwha Aerospace will lead engine development, with KASA providing fund investment. The company will also invest in engine design, core component development, test infrastructure, and production readiness.
The engine developed under this program is a high-bypass turbofan designed for fuel efficiency and both military and civil use. It could also be adapted for small business jets and other commercial aircraft.
The 4,500-pound-class turbofan is part of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) propulsion portfolio that Hanwha Aerospace is developing with Korean government support, including a 5,500-pound-class low-bypass turbofan for low-observable unmanned wingman aircraft, a 1,400-horsepower-class turboprop for medium-altitude UAVs, and core technologies for a 10,000-pound-class turbofan for stealth platforms.
The engine will be the first developed in Korea to integrate a starter-generator on the engine shaft, supplying up to 100kW of electrical power. CCA platforms, conceived to operate alongside manned fighters, require significant power for computing, radar, electronic warfare, and sensor operations.
Hanwha Aerospace will apply additive manufacturing and other advanced production methods to shorten development cycles and reduce cost, producing lightweight, electrified propulsion systems for global customers. Evolving geopolitical conditions continue to drive customer demand for faster delivery timelines and greater affordability, and the company plans to invest approximately KRW 750 billion (USD 500 million) in UAV platforms, engine development, and related facilities.
A Hanwha Aerospace official said, "As global demand for CCA and unmanned platforms grows, propulsion will be central to fielding these systems at scale. This program puts Hanwha Aerospace in a position to deliver the performance, affordability, and delivery speed that customers need."
About Hanwha Aerospace
Hanwha Aerospace is a global aerospace and defense company that offers a broad portfolio of products and services. These include land combat vehicles such as the world-renowned K9 Self-Propelled Howitzer and the Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle, various other weapons systems, munitions, aircraft engine parts, and technology products and services. As South Korea's largest aerospace and defense company, Hanwha Aerospace is engaged in the research, development, and manufacture of advanced technology systems and is spearheading the country's space projects.
For more information, visit: www.hanwhaaerospace.com
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