The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) and the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) unveiled prototypes of a 5,500-pound-class turbofan engine and a 1,400-horsepower-class turboprop engine for the first time Monday.
The 5,500-pound-class turbofan engine is set to be applied to a collaborative combat drone that will complete a manned-unmanned combat aircraft complex system alongside manned fighter jets. The 1,400-horsepower-class turboprop engine is being developed for application to next-generation unmanned reconnaissance aircraft.
Aircraft engines for unmanned aerial vehicles are technology that cannot be easily imported from abroad, as related technology transfers and exports are strictly controlled through various regulations including the Missile Technology Control Regime, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, and the Export Administration Regulations. Accordingly, DAPA and ADD, together with Hanwha Aerospace and others, began research and development of the 5,500-pound-class turbofan engine in 2019, and launched research and development of the 1,400-horsepower-class turboprop engine in 2021.
While DAPA and ADD have developed short-life engines for missiles using domestic technology, this is the first time they have created a long-life engine for aircraft that can be operated repeatedly over an extended period using domestic capabilities.
In particular, heat-resistant materials and components (such as turbine blades) that can be used over long periods even under high temperatures and high pressures were developed using domestic precision casting technology. The latest thermal barrier coating technology, which maximizes engine thermal efficiency by blocking high-temperature heat transferred to metal materials, was also developed and applied for the first time. This holds great significance in that the country has secured the core technology of its first domestic long-life aircraft engine.
The performance of these prototype engines and heat-resistant materials and components will be verified through ground tests to be conducted going forward, and reliability will be enhanced through subsequent research and development projects.
Along with this, a domestic engine for manned fighter jets is also set to be developed with a target completion date of 2041. The KF-21 is equipped with a foreign-made engine. To this end, DAPA established a plan to develop advanced aircraft engines with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Korea AeroSpace Administration. After beginning development of some core technologies last year, it will pursue the main project starting in 2028.
"DAPA will do its best to provide policy support and secure the budget for the development of aircraft engines, which can be called the last puzzle piece of K-defense," said Jung Ki-young, head of DAPA's Future Force Program Headquarters. "Through research and development (R&D) innovation, we will secure technological sovereignty and do our utmost to achieve a major transformation of the defense industry and enter the ranks of the world's top four defense powers."
