KAI / Boeing KUS-VJ Unmanned Attack Helicopter Gunship

The KUS-VJ is a unmanned rotary-wing gunship platform based on the MD500 and being proposed by Korean Air with technical assistance from Boeing.

Detailing the development and operational history of the KAI / Boeing KUS-VJ Unmanned Attack Helicopter Gunship. Entry last updated on 1/2/2018. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com

The rise of unmanned attack aircraft over the battlefield is quite apparent to even the casual observer and Korean Air (Korean Aerospace Industries - KAI) of South Korea, along with U.S.-based Boeing, have agreed to jointly develop an unmanned, attack-minded version of the successful MD500 series light helicopter. With a large stock of aging MD500 units available to the South Korean Air Force, the project would see conversions of these systems to an unmanned model - designated "KUS-VH". A full-sized mock-up of the proposed product was seen at Seoul Aerospace & Defence Exhibition 2015.

Without the need of a pilot the helicopter will now see a reduced operational commitment over the battlescape. The passenger cabin is to be taken up by a large internal fuel tank increasing the operational range of the helicopter by 100%. The windscreen surfaces common to the MD500 will be shrouded over. By and large the overall form and function of the unit will remain intact. Optcis will be set in a fairing under the chin. Korean Air also markets the development under a low-cost approach to a comparable manned system of equal capabilities. Armament options will include rocket pods, gun pods and missiles which, when coupled to onboard systems, will provide a surgical strike capability with no potential pilot loss in enemy-held territory.

While the South Korean Air Force is not actively looking for a product like the KUS-VH, the possible reuse of the aging stock of MD500 helicopters might be tempting enough for the service to have a serious look. The MD500s currently in service will be retired over the next decade and number several hundred.

The Boeing participation in the program is key not only due to the company's position as a global defense powerhouse but also with its recent experience in developing its own H-6U "Little Bird" unmanned helicopter (detailed elsewhere on this site). The KUH-VH will be offered for export to American and South Korean allies.

Our Data Modules allow for quick visual reference when comparing a single entry against contemporary designs. Areas covered include general ratings, speed assessments, and relative ranges based on distances between major cities.

Image of collection of graph types

Relative Maximum Speed Rating

Hi: 200mph

Lo: 100mph

This entry's maximum listed speed (162mph).

Graph average of 150 miles-per-hour.

City-to-City Ranges

NYC

LON

PAR

BER

MOS

TOK

SYD

LAX

NYC

Graph showcases the KAI / Boeing KUS-VJ's operational range (on internal fuel) when compared to distances between major cities.

Aviation Era

Useful in showcasing the era cross-over of particular aircraft/aerospace designs.

Unit Production Comparison

Comm. Market HI*: 44,000 units

Military Market HI**: 36,183 units

1

* Commercial Market High belongs to Cessna 172.

** Military Market High belongs to Ilyushin Il-2.

Altitude Visualization

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Supported Mission Types:

Anti-Ship

Airborne Early Warning

VIP Travel

Origin: South Korea

Year: 2020

Type: Unmanned Attack Helicopter Gunship

Manufacturer(s): Korean Air - South Korea / Boeing Company - USA

Production: 1

Status: In-Development

Global Operators:
South Korea (possible)

Historical Commitments / Honors:

Military lapel ribbon for Operation Allied Force

Military lapel ribbon for the Arab-Israeli War

Military lapel ribbon for the Battle of Britain

Military lapel ribbon for the Battle of Midway

Military lapel ribbon for the Berlin Airlift

Military lapel ribbon for the Cuban Missile Crisis

Military lapel ribbon for the Falklands War

Military lapel ribbon for the French-Indochina War

Military lapel ribbon for the Golden Age of Flight

Military lapel ribbon for the 1991 Gulf War

Military lapel ribbon for the Indo-Pak Wars

Military lapel ribbon for the Iran-Iraq War

Military lapel ribbon for the Korean War

Military lapel ribbon for the 1982 Lebanon War

Military lapel ribbon for the Malayan Emergency

Military lapel ribbon for the attack on Pearl Harbor

Military lapel ribbon for the Six Day War

Military lapel ribbon for the Soviet-Afghan War

Military lapel ribbon for the Spanish Civil War

Military lapel ribbon for the Suez Crisis

Military lapel ribbon for the Vietnam War

Military lapel ribbon for Warsaw Pact of the Cold War-era

Military lapel ribbon for the WASP (WW2)

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 1

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 2

Military lapel ribbon for the Yom Kippur

* Ribbons not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective campaigns/operations.

Structural - Crew, Dimensions, and Weights:
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the KAI / Boeing KUS-VJ model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.

Operational
CREW

Personnel
0

Dimension
LENGTH

Feet
23.00 ft

Meters
7.01 m

Dimension
WIDTH

Feet
26.35 ft

Meters
8.03 m

Dimension
HEIGHT

Feet
8.53 ft

Meters
2.6 m

Weight
EMPTY

Pounds
1,323 lb

Kilograms
600 kg

Weight
LOADED

Pounds
2,866 lb

Kilograms
1,300 kg

Installed Power - Standard Day Performance:
Estimated: 1 x Allison 250-C20B turboshaft engine developing 420 horsepower and driving five bladed main rotor and four-bladed tail rotor.

Performance
SPEED

Miles-per-Hour
162 mph

Kilometers-per-Hour
260 kph

Knots
140 kts

Performance
RANGE

Miles
435 mi

Kilometers
700 km

Nautical Miles
378 nm

Performance
CEILING

Feet
13,862 ft

Meters
4,225 m

Miles
2.63 mi

Performance
CLIMB RATE

Feet-per-Minute
1,700 ft/min

Meters-per-Minute
518 m/min

Supported Weapon Systems:

Graphical image of an air-to-air missile weapon

Graphical image of a short-range air-to-air missile

Graphical image of an aircraft Gatling-style rotating gun

Graphical image of an aircraft anti-tank guided missile

Graphical image of an aircraft rocket pod

Armament - Hardpoints (2):

Variable - ordnance held across two wingstubs along fuselage sides and can include (in pairs of in single installation):

TOW Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs)
7.62mm General Electric M134 miniguns
Stinger short-range air-to-air missiles
Seven-shot rocket pods

Variants: Series Model Variants
• KUS-VJ - Proposed series designation