[Alpha Biz=(Chicago) Reporter Kim Jisun] The Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) will invest 102.5 billion won this year to develop core technologies for the next-generation air combat system, including unmanned fighter jets.

KAI announced on the 13th that it approved the investment plan at the board meeting held on the 8th. With this investment, the company plans to secure wired and unmanned complex system technologies such as conceptual research, autonomous flight demonstration, artificial intelligence (AI) pilot operation control technology, and high-performance data link integration technology.

The mid-term goal is to take the lead in developing an unmanned fighter system that the government plans to pursue in 2030. Based on this, the final goal is to strengthen export competitiveness by applying manned and unmanned composite technologies to Korean fighter KF-21s and domestic light attack aircraft FA-50s in the future.

KAI recorded sales of 3.8193 trillion won and operating profit of 247.5 billion won last year. It's the biggest sales ever. This year, the company set its sales target at 5.9147 trillion won, up 27.6% from the previous year. This year's order is aimed at 6 trillion won, well over the average of 3 trillion won to 4 trillion won.

 

[ⓒ 알파경제. 무단전재-재배포 금지]