Although the military and the defense industry are focusing on the development of Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T), there is a temperature difference between the public and private sectors in the aviation field. While the industry is accelerating development by demonstrating artificial intelligence (AI) pilot technology, the air force is just waiting for the technology to be completed. The industry points out that, in order to seize the global manned-unmanned integrated system market, the military and the industry must develop together.
According to military authorities and the defense industry on the 30th, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is currently verifying software by equipping its self-developed AI pilot onto a commercial unmanned aerial vehicle. The multifunctional unmanned aerial vehicle No. 1, which will be equipped with this AI pilot, has been completed. This multifunctional unmanned aerial vehicle is ultimately planned to operate as part of a manned-unmanned integrated system together with the KF-21. Additionally, a remotely piloted vehicle to be launched from the helicopter Miron is under development.
The air force is also preparing for a manned-unmanned integrated system. The air force vision 2050, announced in September last year, details a next-generation aerial combat system concept utilizing manned and unmanned aircraft. The plan is to operate unmanned aerial vehicles in detail, including pre-insertion missions, swarms of unmanned aerial vehicles, and support unmanned aerial vehicles, providing assistance to manned aircraft. Based on this, training is being conducted for prospective pilots at training institutions such as the Air Force Academy.
Although preparations for the manned-unmanned integrated system are being made, unlike other military branches, there are no combat experiments. In response, the air force noted, "Currently, there are no unmanned aerial vehicles developed to be utilized in the manned-unmanned integrated system." In contrast, the industry believes that if the military actively participates in the development of the manned-unmanned integrated system, it could be completed sooner.
Currently, a military pilot is directly conducting test flights of the KF-21 under development, and the military has participated from the initial development stage, such as determining the engine type.
In the United States, the military and companies are also conducting verification work on the manned-unmanned integrated system together. The U.S. Air Force has modified three F-16 fighter jets for the development of the manned-unmanned integrated system, and in May of last year, an F-16 equipped with an AI pilot flew at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
The F-16 is a fighter jet that the U.S. Air Force first introduced in 1978. Having been introduced over 40 years ago, it has accumulated a significant amount of flight data and operational technology, making it easier to apply new technologies. The U.S. military introduced the concept of the manned-unmanned integrated system in 2017.
There are also fighter jets in South Korea that have accumulated long flight data, such as the KA-1 developed based on the KT-1 basic trainer. The air force has been operating this model since it was put into service in October 2005, for about 20 years. A military official stated, "The KA-1 has accumulated a lot of data over a long period of use, making it possible to modify and upgrade it," adding, "There is also space to accommodate communication equipment that can connect with unmanned aerial vehicles, providing the conditions to study manned-unmanned integration." Another official remarked, "Applying the technologies currently under development to operational aircraft is of significant meaning."
Although countries such as the U.S., China, Europe, and Japan are entering the manned-unmanned integrated development race, there is no completed country yet. An industry official noted, "South Korea's AI technology level is competitive on a global scale, and it is an opportunity to solidify the position of the manned-unmanned integration. Hence, cooperation between the military and the industry for rapid commercialization is necessary."