The Air Force on the 23rd announced a plan to secure an artificial intelligence (AI)–based manned–unmanned teaming system through a report on the Air Force Headquarters audit by the National Defense Committee, held at Gyeryongdae in South Chungcheong Province.
According to the Air Force, it plans to secure a fighter-collaboration multipurpose unmanned aircraft in the early 2030s, a fighter-collaboration unmanned combat aircraft in the mid-to-late 2030s, and a fully fledged sixth-generation fighter in the mid-to-late 2040s. Under this plan, the sixth-generation fighter the Air Force will acquire is intended to prepare for the retirement of the F-16. The Air Force's goal is to secure complete technologies ranging from stealth features that evade detection to small munitions, engines, and quantum communications.
An Air Force official said, "The sixth-generation fighter will include a manned aircraft with AI-based capabilities that can be converted into an unmanned aircraft," and added, "We will assess future technological progress to decide whether to develop it domestically or purchase it overseas." The military also reported plans to secure long-range electro-optical guided missiles and to take part in a space combined exercise led by the U.S. space agency.
Earlier, Air Force Chief of Staff Son Seok-rak said in his opening remarks, "We will focus our efforts on advancing AI technological capabilities, securing core AI pilot technologies, and building a manned–unmanned combined combat system based on these," and added, "We will push step by step, without setbacks, to secure space power, space organization, and space personnel." He went on to say, "We will do our utmost to ensure the stable force integration of the KF-21 to be delivered to the Air Force next year, proving the excellence of domestically produced weapons."
Son also addressed a series of incidents this year, from a misfire hitting a civilian home by a fighter jet to an emergency ejection during training in Alaska, saying, "We caused public concern due to a series of accidents during missions," and added, "We will push strong, comprehensive measures to prevent a recurrence of flight accidents."