Korea to invest $747mn in hybrid VTOL aircraft development

Résumé détaillé

The Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) will invest 1 trillion won ($747 million) over five years starting in 2028 to develop a five-seat-class hybrid vertical takeoff and…

The Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) will invest 1 trillion won ($747 million) over five years starting in 2028 to develop a five-seat-class hybrid vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft.

The project, alongside the development of a stratospheric solar-powered unmanned aircraft that has successfully flown continuously for a week, is part of KASA’s strategy to establish a foothold in the global next-generation aviation market.

KASA unveiled the plan at a seminar in Seoul on Wednesday, saying it plans to apply for a preliminary feasibility review of the proposed research and development project this month.

A hybrid VTOL aircraft uses both an engine and batteries and can take off and land vertically without a runway. Unlike electric-powered urban air mobility (UAM) aircraft, it can carry more passengers and cargo and travel longer distances. Potential applications include emergency patient transport and intercity air taxi services.

The project is expected to receive 1.09 trillion won in funding over five years from 2028. KASA aims to complete the aircraft platform by 2032, subsequently upgrade its performance and enter the five-seat aircraft market by 2038.

The investment is unusually large given that KASA’s entire aviation budget for this year stands at 51.1 billion won.

The administration aims to develop four prototypes by 2032, each with a payload capacity of at least 600 kilograms and a range of 200 kilometers or more.

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