Hyundai Motor Group, Korea Aerospace Industries to collaboratively develop future air mobility

Source | Hyundai Motor Group

Hyundai Motor Group (Seoul, South Korea) and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI, Sacheon) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly develop an advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft based on electrified aviation powertrains.

“By combining KAI’s integrated capabilities in fixed-wing and rotorcraft systems with Hyundai Motor Group’s large-scale manufacturing expertise and comprehensive mobility ecosystem, we expect to develop K-AAM solutions capable of competing at the global level,” says Jong-chool Kim, president and CEO of Korea Aerospace Industries. “This collaboration marks an important milestone in our ambition to emerge as a game-changer in the global civilian mobility market.”

Under the agreement, the two parties will leverage Hyundai Motor Group’s expertise in electrified aviation powertrain development and KAI’s aircraft airframe development capabilities to jointly develop and mass produce competitive future air mobility aircraft. Specifically, Supernal (Washington, D.C., U.S.), Hyundai Motor Group’s U.S.-based AAM affiliate, and KAI will jointly develop the AAM aircraft, while Hyundai Motor Group and KAI will separately collaborate on the commercialization of electrified aviation powertrains being developed by Hyundai Motor Group’s Aviation Powertrain Sub-Division.

The collaboration also extends beyond the sharing of technological and human resources to include broad cooperation across supply chains, certification processes and global customer networks.

Since its establishment in 1999, KAI has played a central role in the development of South Korea’s aerospace industry, delivering key platforms such as the KT-1 basic trainer aircraft and the Songgolmae (RQ-101) unmanned aerial vehicle. The company is also expanding its business into the civilian air mobility sector, reinforcing its leadership in Korea’s aerospace industry. CW has written about KAI’s extensive experience in eVTOL airframes and composite materials in this article, “...thermoplastic and infused structures for future airframes.”