South Korea's stealthy AI wingman drone prepares to take flight

Korean Air Aerospace Division (KE-ASD) is preparing its Low Observable Wingman Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle System (LOWUS) for its first flight by the end of this year. The stealth drone, designed to operate alongside manned fighter jets, has already delivered two technology demonstrators to South Korea's Agency for Defense Development and represents the company's entry into South Korea's upcoming Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) competition.

For engineers and defense watchers, LOWUS exemplifies the global shift toward collaborative combat systems where AI-piloted drones augment human pilots. The 10.4-meter long aircraft is initially powered by a Ukrainian engine but will eventually use a new indigenous turbofan, aiming for Mach 0.8 speeds and three-hour endurance by 2032. This development places South Korea squarely in the international race for loyal wingman technology, potentially enhancing the capabilities of the KF-21 fighter program.