The Korea Aerospace Administration and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) noted on the 28th that they successfully conducted a low-altitude flight test of the stratospheric drone EAV (Electric Air Vehicle)-4, which is being developed using independent technology, on the 27th.
EAV-4 took off at 7 a.m. on the 27th and flew stably for about 25 minutes while checking the aircraft's control characteristics, structural safety, and normal operation of the solar power generation system. A Korea Aerospace Administration official stated, “This test will be a significant milestone for future long-duration flight validation in the stratosphere over 30 days and for the development of next-generation stratospheric drone validation platforms.”
The stratosphere has only 7% of the atmospheric density compared to the ground. Additionally, the extreme temperature reaches minus 70 degrees Celsius, making it unusable for humanity. However, with recent advancements in high-efficiency solar cells and ultra-lightweight, high-strength materials, the era of stratospheric aviation platforms is emerging. The Korea Aerospace Administration and KAI are also progressing with the EAV-4 development to secure independent stratospheric platforms.
The EAV-4, which successfully completed the flight test this time, is equipped with a 30-meter super-sized wing and can carry 20 kg of mission equipment with a total weight of less than 150 kg. It is expected to be capable of hovering in the stratosphere at an altitude of 20 km for more than 30 days using solar-based electric power. It can potentially be utilized for communication relays, surveillance, and disaster monitoring.
The Korea Aerospace Administration plans to carry out a project to develop a 'mission demand-based stratospheric drone validation platform' with a total project cost of 48 billion won from 2026 to 2029. The plan includes domestic production of key components and core technologies for stratospheric drones and expanding into overseas markets.
Kim Hyun-dae, head of the Korea Aerospace Administration's aviation innovation division, emphasized, “Through this technology development, we aim to establish South Korea as a global leader in the high-altitude drone sector and continuously support the enhancement of national strategic technological competitiveness.”