The Aerospace Agency held a public hearing to unveil the draft plan for the “AAV Core Technology Development and Demonstration Project” and gather public feedback. (Image courtesy of Sacheon City)
SEOUL, Aug. 15 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea will develop its own next-generation Advanced Air Vehicle (AAV) capable of low-noise, eco-friendly, vertical and short takeoff and landing, aiming for a maiden flight in 2030 and mission demonstrations in 2031, the national space and aerospace agency said Thursday.
The Korea Aerospace Administration unveiled the plan during a public hearing in Daejeon attended by more than 100 participants from government, local authorities, industry and academia.
The five-year program, set to begin in 2027 with a budget of about 700 billion won ($520 million), will focus on securing core AAV technologies, building a prototype for demonstrations, and positioning Korea’s aviation sector within global supply chains for materials, components and equipment.
Following the first flight, the agency plans to conduct trials for maritime transport and law enforcement missions in 2031, while pursuing certification processes for immediate commercialization in both civilian and military sectors.
AAVs are expected to cut travel time between islands and cities to about an hour, improve daily accessibility for island residents, and serve in maritime pollution control and illegal fishing surveillance.
A separate maritime prototype will be built for emergency patient transport and urgent cargo delivery to remote islands. The police will also test AAV deployment in disaster zones or crime scenes inaccessible to vehicles.
The agency noted that AAVs, quieter and faster than helicopters, are attracting interest from the U.S. Air Force for future battlefield roles. It plans to coordinate with the military to identify and test potential missions.
“AAVs bring together diverse technologies that will shape daily life and transform a fast-emerging market,” said Kim Hyun-dae, head of aviation innovation. “It is critical for industry and government to move quickly to secure a leading position.”
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
