South Korea to develop Unmanned Stealth Aircrafts by 2020

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The Defense Ministry plans to develop sophisticated unmanned fighter jets equipped with a radar-evading stealth function by 2020, a state-run defense agency said Saturday.

In a report to the National Assembly, the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), affiliated with the ministry, said it has started developing radar-evading stealth technology on its own in order to apply it to next-generation fighter jets.

The ADD also said it is developing an artificial intelligence-based Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) to deploy the state-of-the-art aircraft in the country by 2020.

The United States and other developed countries are developing the robotic airplanes, finding and attacking targets by themselves, but none are in use currently. X-45As of the U.S. are expected to enter service with the U.S. Navy and Air Force in five years or so.

The ADD said it has already spent a total of 6 billion won ($6 million) in developing stealth technology, including radar-wave absorbing paints and paneling.

The radar-evading technology will also be incorporated into the nation’s 4,000 ton-class destroyer developed by the Navy under its shipbuilding program, codenamed KDX-II, and its next-generation missile boats, ADD researchers said.

Under its arms buildup program, the ministry plans to spend 5.6 trillion won to buy 40 F-15Ks by 2008 and launch about 20 weapons acquisition projects, including the purchase of Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) surveillance aircraft by 2010.

http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/200509/kt2005092517344968040.htm

Wow..after the sucess of the T-50, here are more developments 😎