South Korea unveils ‘loyal wingman' tech demonstrator

South Korea's Agency for Defense Development and Korean Air unveiled the first technology demonstration aircraft of their Low Observable Wingman UAV System on 25 February 2025. (Agency for Defense Development)

South Korea's Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and Korean Air have unveiled the technology demonstrator of their jointly developed stealth ‘loyal wingman' unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which is intended to operate alongside manned combat aircraft.

Designated as the Low Observable Wingman UAV System (LOWUS), the aircraft is being developed for manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) operations with human-controlled combat aircraft, ADD said. The platform will be “autonomously capable” of fulfilling roles that include reconnaissance, electronic warfare (EW), and attack, the agency said.

The LOWUS was unveiled at Korean Air Tech Center in Busan on 25 February. The programme, which began in 2021, is to be completed by 2027, the agency added.

According to ADD, the platform's first test flight will be conducted later in 2025. The first MUM-T flight is scheduled to take place in 2027. This will involve a “piloted aircraft directly controlling” the UAV while it is in flight, the agency said.

ADD said that it is also developing core technologies for the LOWUS, such as “domestic engines” and an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar with the support of South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). Janes has previously reported that ADD and Korean Air were working to reduce the aircraft's cross-section and testing radar-absorbing materials to minimise detection by radars, acoustic sensors, and optical equipment.

Janes