The Korea Aerospace Administration is taking on a construction-type R&D (research and development) project with the goal of domesticating five-seat HYBE-led vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.
On the 25th, at a public hearing on the "Vertical Takeoff and Landing Aircraft Development Project" held in Daejeon, the Administration unveiled these plans. The goal is to domesticate key technologies such as generators, aviation electronics, and distributed propulsion from 2028 to 2032 over five years, securing four prototype aircraft by the end of the project.
The five-seat HYBE-led vertical takeoff and landing aircraft can carry up to five people, including the pilot. It aims to achieve global-level performance metrics, including a range of over 200 kilometers, a useful load capacity of 600 kilograms, and an operational time of more than 60 minutes.
The Administration stated that it will incorporate certification requirements necessary for commercialization of aircraft from the design stage and collaborate with relevant ministries to establish the required systems for certification. Additionally, until the 9th of next month, it plans to gather opinions on public mission utilization from potential demanders of future aircraft, including relevant ministries, local governments, and public institutional investors.
Han Chang-heon, Head of the Aviation Innovation Division at the Korea Aerospace Administration, said, "HYBE-led vertical takeoff and landing aircraft is a technology with great potential to transform people's daily lives in transportation, logistics, tourism, and public services by integrating multiple advanced technologies." He added, "We plan to submit an application for a construction-type research and development project to the Ministry of Science and ICT Innovation Headquarters in November, reflecting opinions presented at the public hearing and results from demand surveys."
in TECH
