Im Seong-shin, head of the AI/SW research division at Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), emphasized that the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in weapon systems will eventually remove humans from operations, supervision, and decision-making. He made these remarks during a presentation on the development strategy for aviation weapon systems at the AI Ecosystem Innovation Forum, held on July 9 at The Plaza Hotel in Seoul.
Im stated, "Future warfare will center around unmanned, autonomous, and connected systems," adding that aviation weapon systems are evolving into AI-based systems that continuously adapt.
He identified the advancement of electronic warfare and asymmetric cost structures as key factors in changing battlefield environments. With GPS jamming and satellite navigation disruptions becoming commonplace, the importance of alternative navigation technologies is increasing. He noted that low-cost unmanned systems are increasingly threatening expensive air defense systems and combat assets.
Im also highlighted the development of low-cost, high-efficiency unmanned systems as a critical task. He explained that equipping drones with high-performance sensors raises their unit costs, making mass deployment challenging. Instead, KAI is combining low-cost sensors with AI/SW algorithms to enhance target recognition and tracking capabilities. As of May, KAI had completed a total of 31 flight demonstrations using its AI-based manned and unmanned hybrid flight test platform, KAILOT.
The development approach is also shifting to focus on AI. KAI is applying digital engineering, automated testing, agile development, and open software architecture to the development of aviation weapon systems. This strategy aims to reduce the physical verification burden during design, manufacturing, and testing processes, allowing for the development of minimal functional units that can be repeatedly applied to test vehicles in line with AI technology advancements.
KAI is accelerating the development of AI-based manned and unmanned hybrid systems. Im stated, "The key to our aviation weapon system development strategy is speed," and emphasized the active use of AI to shorten the processes involved in software creation. He added, "Reliability and speed must be designed together as goals, and we are working on this."
KAI is also pursuing an open architecture that separates hardware and software. The goal is to create an AI/SW structure that is not dependent on specific platforms, allowing for the replacement or updating of AI algorithms based on changes in battlefield conditions. Plans are in place to utilize existing manned aircraft, such as the FA-50 and KF-21, as testbeds for AI technology.
Im concluded, "KAI is transforming from a hardware manufacturer into a software company. The advancement of core AI and SW is essential, and we must be cautious of foreign dependence."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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