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South Korea completes development of Marine Corps attack helicopter
South Korea has completed development of an attack helicopter for its Marine Corps.
The aircraft is based on the Marine Corps’ Marineon transport helicopter, itself developed from the Surion utility helicopter.
Development began in October 2022, and the helicopter passed tests including weapons firing and operations aboard ships.
It can carry guns, rockets and air-to-ground missiles, and has also completed live-fire tests of air-to-air missiles for use against enemy helicopters and drones.
These capabilities are intended to extend Marine landing operations into the air and help move troops.
The state arms procurement agency says production of about 20 helicopters will begin next year.
The agency says it will work to keep follow-up schedules on track so the aircraft can enter service on time.
South Korea has completed development of an attack helicopter for Marine Corps landing operations.
The helicopter is based on the Marineon transport helicopter and is equipped with avionics and weapons systems.
It passed weapons and ship-operation tests and received combat suitability and airworthiness certifications.
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration plans to begin mass production of about 20 helicopters next year.
The helicopter is intended to extend Marine Corps landing operations into the air as well as on land.
- Who
- South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration completed development of the helicopter for the Marine Corps.
- What
- Development of a domestically developed landing attack helicopter was completed. Production of about 20 aircraft is planned.
- When
- Development was completed on Oct. 28, 2026. Development began in October 2022.
- Where
- The completion event was to be held at Korea Aerospace Industries in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province.
- Why
- The helicopter is intended to expand Marine Corps landing operations into the air and improve the mobility of landing forces.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Development of the landing attack helicopter began.
The helicopter completed its first test flight.
The helicopter received a combat suitability assessment.
The helicopter received airworthiness certification.
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration announced the completion of system development.
Mass production of about 20 helicopters is planned to begin.
- Development started
- October 2022
- First test flight
- December 2024
- Weapons
- 20 mm turret machine gun, 70 mm rockets, Cheongeom air-to-ground missiles and air-to-air missiles
- Planned production
- About 20 helicopters
- Production start
- 2027
- Mass-production event location
- Korea Aerospace Industries, Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province
2 sources
What people are saying
We will do our utmost to ensure the attack helicopter is deployed on time by proceeding without disruption with follow-up schedules, including the start of mass production next year.