As the Defense Acquisition Program Administration prepares to announce its roadmap for advanced aviation engines, the domestic defense industry is on high alert. Hanwha Aerospace and Doosan Enerbility have both thrown their hats into the ring, and it is expected that the development timeline, types, and scope of cooperation among companies will be specifically defined in accordance with the roadmap from the agency.
According to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration on the 19th, the aviation engine roadmap is being pursued with the goal of establishing it within this year. The agency is developing an overall plan that includes technology levels, project directions, and measures to secure unacquired technologies, gathering opinions from the Defense Science Research Institute, industry, and experts.
Previously, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration announced a preliminary plan to develop a 15,000-pound (lbf) class aviation engine by the early 2030s. This engine would be equivalent to the F414-400 engine from General Electric (GE), which will be mounted on the Korean fighter KF-21 set to begin mass production in 2026. Although the output is similar, the goal is to create an engine with a fuel consumption rate improved by 10 to 15%.
In addition, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration plans to simultaneously promote the development of an engine for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the 10,000 lbf class. This is intended to achieve the concept of sixth-generation fighters, currently under development in advanced countries such as the U.S., Russia, and Europe, using domestic technology. Sixth-generation fighters are evaluated as crucial in establishing tactical superiority through a combined system of manned and unmanned aircraft working together.
The domestic defense industry is showing a sense of anticipation ahead of the roadmap announcement. At this point, only rough goals have been presented, leading to significant uncertainty for the project. However, once the roadmap is released, specific discussions can begin.
Following the roadmap announcement, feasibility studies for the aviation engine development project will commence, and once it passes, the approval process through the Defense Acquisition Program Promotion Committee's resolutions and budget allocations is expected to proceed in order. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration is considering not only developing independently with domestic technology but also collaborating with leading foreign firms.
The industry is also interested in which company will take charge of system integration in the future. The system integrator leads all processes, including design, development, production, testing, and integration of the system. They also communicate directly with procurement agencies such as the Ministry of National Defense and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, participating in decision-making. Hyundai Rotem handles the K2 tank, while LIG Nex1 is responsible for the Cheongung II surface-to-air missile system.
Hanwha Aerospace has accumulated experience in licensing the production of over 10,000 engines. During this process, the company secured technology and systems across the entire aviation engine spectrum, including design and analysis, materials and manufacturing, testing, and certification. Doosan Enerbility developed a gas turbine, becoming the fifth in the world to do so. The operating principle and structure of a gas turbine, which burns fuel to rotate a turbine from condensed air, are similar to those of aviation engines.
Initially, the two companies had both planned to pursue engine development independently; however, they are now considering joint development due to persuasion from the government. A source in the defense industry noted, 'Even if the project proceeds in a joint development format, ultimately one company will lead the project as the system integrator while the other manufactures components and collaborates.'