AeroVironment has announced a new partnership with Korean Air to jointly develop and produce a next-generation tactical unmanned aerial system (UAS) tailored for the South Korean military. Under the agreement, Korean Air becomes AeroVironment’s primary local partner, with the collaboration initially centered around a customized version of the JUMP 20—a fixed-wing, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drone designed for long-range reconnaissance and surveillance missions.
The two aerospace leaders plan to co-develop and adapt the JUMP 20 platform to meet the operational needs of South Korea’s armed forces while sharing technological expertise, research capabilities, and production resources. AeroVironment said the partnership will not only bolster Seoul’s UAS fleet but also enhance readiness for future combat environments, where autonomous systems play a pivotal role in intelligence gathering, targeting, and situational awareness.
In addition to strengthening operational capabilities, the collaboration aligns with South Korea’s broader defense modernization goals, including expanding local manufacturing, boosting self-reliance in key technologies, and reducing dependence on foreign systems. The companies also aim to establish a regional production base to support future export opportunities across Asia.
AeroVironment’s JUMP 20 offers significant tactical advantages, capable of VTOL operations without a runway and rapid deployment in under 30 minutes. The drone features a 10-foot (3-meter) airframe, a 19-foot (6-meter) wingspan, and can carry payloads up to 30 pounds (14 kilograms). Powered by a 190cc EFI engine, it cruises at 50 knots (58 miles or 93 kilometers per hour) and reaches altitudes of 17,000 feet (5,182 meters). With a range of 115 miles (185 kilometers) and an endurance exceeding 13 hours, the system is already operational with NATO users such as Denmark and Italy, demonstrating its versatility in global defense operations.
