Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) said on the 22nd that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU·Memorandum Of Understanding) with the Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR·Netherlands Aerospace Centre) for cooperation on developing the Next-generation Aerial Combat System (NACS·Next-generation Aerial Combat System). NLR is a research institute with a long history and tradition in Europe's aviation sector, equipped with experience in advanced aviation technology research and a proven test and evaluation infrastructure.
Through this agreement, KAI and NLR are expected to combine advanced technological capabilities and research infrastructure in core areas of the next-generation aerial combat system to secure innovative aerospace technologies and build responsiveness to future battlefield environments. In particular, they will strengthen cooperation in core technology areas of the next-generation aerial combat system that KAI is developing, including mission autonomy, data links, and technology demonstration.
Kim Ji-hong, executive vice president at KAI's Future Convergence Technology Institute, said, "KAI, as a 'Fast Follower,' will leverage its accumulated system development capabilities through this cooperation to be reborn as a 'Technology Leader' that leads future aviation technology."