S. Korea, U.S. Firms Partner to Create Cutting-Edge STOL Drone

2025-10-15 04:21:08

(MENAFN) South Korean and American companies have forged a partnership to create a cutting-edge short take-off and landing (STOL) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), according to a South Korean news outlet on Wednesday.

The deal was inked by South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace Co. and US-based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) defense expo in Washington, DC, held Tuesday.

Per the agreement, both firms will collaborate to build a prototype of the GE-STOL UAV, aiming for its inaugural flight in 2027, with the first international delivery planned for 2028.

"Leveraging our expertise in fighter jet engines, radar and avionics, Hanwha is ready to become a comprehensive unmanned aviation company," said Hanwha Aerospace President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Son Jae-il.

As part of a larger push into UAV technology, Hanwha Aerospace will establish a domestic manufacturing site for the GE-STOL platform and invest 750 billion won ($527 million) into its unmanned aerial vehicle division.

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