The Korea AeroSpace Administration will launch development of dual-use civil-military aircraft engines and a hybrid propulsion system to secure next-generation core technologies in Korea's civil aviation sector.
On the 26th, the Korea AeroSpace Administration held a "joint kickoff briefing for the next-generation dual-use aircraft engine and propulsion system development project" and said it is formally beginning development of the nation's first dual-use turbofan engine for aircraft and an electric-turbine hybrid propulsion system.
About 90 billion won will be invested over four years from 2026 to 2029. The main projects are developing core technologies for a high-bypass turbofan engine for electrified aircraft and preliminary development of an electric-turbine hybrid propulsion system.
A high-bypass turbofan engine increases fuel efficiency and thrust by adjusting the ratio of air flowing inside and outside the engine, and is widely used in civil aircraft such as passenger planes. Through this project, the Korea AeroSpace Administration plans to secure a 4,500 lbf-class dual-use gas turbine engine model for aircraft that can be used in electrified aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles. The project includes fan and booster testing technologies, combustor testing technologies, and design and manufacturing technologies for a rotor-integrated generator that produces electricity inside the engine.
Development of an electric-turbine hybrid propulsion system will also be pursued. This system generates electricity with a turbine and uses an electric motor to produce thrust. To that end, the Korea AeroSpace Administration plans to develop a 500 kW-class turbogenerator and a 300 kW-class electric engine. A turbogenerator is a device that produces electricity using a turbine. The research team will work on system integration design and analysis, building ground test equipment, and developing a high-efficiency generator and a redundant electric engine.
At the kickoff briefing, the Korea AeroSpace Administration, research and development performers, participating companies, and experts from related organizations discussed the project's direction and cooperation plans. Attendees agreed that domestic production of aircraft engine and propulsion technologies is a key task to strengthen the competitiveness of Korea's aviation industry.
Han Chang-heon, head of aviation innovation at the Korea AeroSpace Administration, said, "High-bypass turbofan engines and hybrid propulsion systems are core technologies for next-generation aviation," adding, "We will manage the project to marshal domestic capabilities and secure the key technologies."