Hanwha Aerospace Begins Development of 10,000-Pound-Thrust-Class Aircraft Engine in 177.3 Billion Won Project

Selected as preferred bidder for ADD project
Four engines to be built and tested by 2031
Aimed for low-observable reconnaissance unmanned aircraft

Hanwha Aerospace is partnering with the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) to develop South Korea's first 10,000-pound-thrust-class aircraft engine.

Hanwha Aerospace said on November 13 that it had been selected as the preferred bidder for the "Development of a 10,000-Pound-Thrust-Class High-Bypass Turbofan Engine" project led by the ADD. The project is worth 177.3 billion won, with development scheduled to continue through October 2031.

Rendering of a 10,000-pound-thrust-class engine. Hanwha Aerospace

The project aims to develop, using domestic technology, a turbofan engine with a thrust of at least 10,000 pounds for low-observable reconnaissance unmanned aircraft. The goal is to produce a long-life engine capable of operating for thousands of hours or more and to achieve a turbine inlet temperature among the highest in South Korea. A higher turbine inlet temperature can increase an engine's thermal efficiency and output.

Hanwha Aerospace will carry out the entire development process, from detailed engine design and production of key components to assembly, production of four complete engines, and testing and evaluation.

The engine will incorporate core engine technology from a 5,500-pound-class turbofan engine being jointly developed with the ADD. Building on existing core technologies, the company plans to increase thrust to more than 10,000 pounds and further advance its high-temperature heat-resistance and long-life technologies.

The company will also pursue a lightweight design to reduce the engine's weight. A lighter engine can extend an aircraft's range, reduce fuel consumption, and increase its payload capacity.

Aircraft engines require highly advanced technology to operate reliably even in extreme high-temperature and high-pressure environments. Military aircraft engines, in particular, are critical technologies directly linked to national security, and major countries strictly restrict their export and the transfer of related technologies. Reliance on foreign engines can constrain aircraft development and performance upgrades, as well as overseas sales. Securing independent engine technology is therefore considered a key task in strengthening the competitiveness of the K-defense industry.

Hanwha Aerospace plans to use the technologies secured through this project as a foundation for the phased development of advanced aircraft engines that could be used in next-generation fighter jets, including the KF-21 Block 3.

A Hanwha Aerospace official said, "This project is an important milestone in taking the thrust and performance of domestically developed aircraft engines to the next level and securing key technologies needed to develop advanced aircraft engines. We will contribute to achieving self-reliance in aircraft engine technology and strengthening the competitiveness of the future aerospace industry."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.