MADEX 2025: KAI prepares Marine Attack Helicopter for MUM-T operations

A model of the Marine Attack Helicopter on display at MADEX 2025. (Janes/Ridzwan Rahmat)

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is preparing its Marine Attack Helicopter (MAH) with the ability to carry out manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) operations.

Speaking to Janes at MADEX 2025 in Busan, representatives from the company described this capability as one that has been introduced for its Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) as well.

The MUM-T system will link the MAH's operator console with a variety of indigenously designed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) including those that are under development, the representatives said.

These include the KAI-developed autonomous tube-launched UAV or ALE, which utilises an electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) sensor to send real-time information on potential targets to the operator.

When carrying this UAV type, the MAH is able to deploy up to four ALE UAVs in canisters mounted on hardpoints beneath each stub wing.

The MAH is an armed variant of KAI's MUH-1 Marineon helicopter, which is in turn a derivative of the KUH-1 Surion helicopter that was developed by the Republic of Korea Marine Corps (RoKMC).

It has a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 8,709 kg (19,200 lb) and is powered by a 1,855 shp twin turboshaft engine with Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC).

The MAH completed its first flight test in December 2024, and prototypes of the airframe are presently undergoing a series of tests and evaluations.

In addition to UAVs, the MAH's stub wings can be fitted with auxiliary fuel tanks, anti-tank missiles, and air-to-air missiles. It is also armed with a chin-mounted 20 mm cannon.

For more information, please see South Korea's Marine Attack Helicopter conducts first flight .