KAI to build test version of UAM aircraft in 2 years
이 글자크기로 변경됩니다.
(예시) 가장 빠른 뉴스가 있고 다양한 정보, 쌍방향 소통이 숨쉬는 다음뉴스를 만나보세요. 다음뉴스는 국내외 주요이슈와 실시간 속보, 문화생활 및 다양한 분야의 뉴스를 입체적으로 전달하고 있습니다.
Korea Aerospace Industries is venturing into the air taxi business with an aim to develop a small-sized Urban Air Mobility aircraft by 2024 so it can be used as a test model. KAI said it will later develop a full-scale UAM aircraft that can be used as a standardized model for the air taxi business in Korea amid the government’s push to commercialize air taxis by 2025.
According to industry sources, KAI is building a small-sized UAM aircraft that will be 25 percent to 40 percent smaller in size compared to the standard size. It will test the functionality and performance of the smaller model prior to producing the standard model, which will stand 7.5 meters tall. The company said it has not decided on the exact size of the smaller model.
KAI’s test version of a UAM aircraft will be powered by a hybrid engine and tiltrotors, which allow vertical takeoff and landing -- regarded as UAM core technologies.
Taking advantage of the model’s small size, KAI said it will test various aspects of UAM technology and performance within a short period of time and at reduced cost.
KAI said its experience in developing a mobile helicopter and unmanned air vehicle will contribute to building the country’s standardized aircraft for UAM.
With no clear leader standing in the UAM field, South Korean conglomerates including Hyundai Motor Group, SK Telecom, Hanwha and Lotte have joined the UAM development race in recent years. Of them, Hanwha Solutions -- the defense electronics and related smart technologies service affiliate of Hanwha Group -- has been the only local firm to test UAM aircraft in January, as part of a joint project conducted with US UAM firm Overair.
By Kim Da-sol(ddd@heraldcorp.com)
Copyright © 코리아헤럴드. 무단전재 및 재배포 금지.