AeroVironment and Korean Air have entered into a partnership to jointly develop and produce a new tactical unmanned aerial system (UAS) for the Republic of Korea.
Under the agreement, Korean Air will serve as AeroVironment’s primary local partner, beginning with a customized variant of the JUMP 20 — a fixed-wing, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drone designed for long-endurance missions.
The collaboration will involve joint research, production, and technology sharing, with the UAS tailored to meet South Korea’s military operational needs.
According to AeroVironment, this partnership will expand South Korea’s UAS fleet and enhance readiness for future combat environments, where autonomous systems play an increasingly vital role.
The initiative also supports South Korea’s defense-industrial strategy, aimed at boosting domestic production, advancing indigenous technologies, and reducing dependence on imports.
The JUMP 20 VTOL System
The JUMP 20 requires no runway or launcher, enabling deployment and recovery within 30 minutes. It supports intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and border security missions, equipped with cameras, sensors, or other modular payloads.
Measuring 10 feet (3 meters) in length with a 19-foot (6-meter) wingspan, the drone carries up to 30 pounds (14 kilograms) of payload and weighs 215 pounds (96 kilograms) at takeoff.
Powered by a 190cc Electronic Fuel Injection engine using regular gasoline, it cruises at 50 knots (58 mph / 93 km/h), reaches altitudes of 17,000 feet (5,182 meters), and operates over ranges up to 115 miles (185 kilometers) for more than 13 hours.
The JUMP 20 is already operational with several NATO member countries, including Denmark and Italy.
