US defence companies Kratos and Lockheed Martin have entered partnerships with key South Korean companies in the areas of manned-unmanned teaming and maintenance, repair and overhaul.
Kratos says it has formed a partnership with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) to advance the field of manned-unmanned teaming.
“This partnership represents the next step in evolving how crewed and uncrewed aircraft operate together in contested environments,” says Steve Fendley, who heads Kratos’s Unmanned Systems division.
“By combining Kratos’ proven autonomous jet systems with KAI’s advanced technologies, we are expanding the boundaries of affordable mass and collaborative combat capability for US and allied forces.”
KAI has conducted extensive research into autonomous pilot technology under its “K-AI Pilot” effort. This includes flight tests with its Adaptable Aerial Platform.
KAI also envisages its FA-50 light combat aircraft and advanced blocks of the developmental KF-21 fighter operating with autonomous collaborative combat aircraft (CCA).
It is working on a large conceptual CCA design called MUCCA, as well as a smaller air-launched CCA called SUCA.
Separately, Lockheed is working with Korean Air – which has an extensive defence business – to explore opportunities under the auspices of the US government’s Regional Sustainment Framework effort. The pair also aim to expand MRO and upgrade cooperation to “third country” markets.
For 50 years Korean Air has played a key role in maintaining combat aircraft, including those operated by US forces. It has performed maintenance and upgrade work on over 3,700 US military aircraft, including a range of types.
From 2021, it has conducted a service life extension programme for US Air Force Lockheed Martin F-16s based in Japan.
