Hanwha Aerospace launches UAV engine development programme with Korea AeroSpace Administration

Hanwha Aerospace has announced a joint development programme 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 programme 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 programme puts Hanwha Aerospace in a position to deliver the performance, affordability, and delivery speed that customers need."