Contributor - UK

David Donald

Korea Aerospace Industries has been developing an autonomous air vehicle capability for some time and has recently unveiled two collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) intended to act as “loyal wingmen,” or adjunct platforms, to crewed fighters. They were first shown at the ADEX show in Seoul in October and are making their international debut in Singapore.
Known as the Small Unmanned Collaborative Aircraft (SUCA) and Medium Unmanned Collaborative Combat Aircraft (MUCCA), they are, respectively, an air- or ground-launched expendable 330-pound vehicle and a runway-launched reusable 11,950-pound pilotless aircraft. 
SUCA draws on technology from the company’s Adaptable Aerial Platform, which incorporates an AI agent for autonomous control. The catapult-launched, turbojet-powered version is already undertaking flight tests that are validating and refining the AI pilot for various missions such as pinpoint attack and defense suppression.
The vehicle has a maximum speed of Mach 0.65 and a range of around 220 nm. It can carry a 55-pound modular payload with options for warheads, ISR sensors, electronic warfare packages, and decoy systems. 
MUCCA is a much larger machine, similar in size to a light attack jet/advanced trainer. Powered by a single 4,100-pound-thrust turbofan, the aircraft has a range of 1,400 nm and a maximum speed of Mach 0.85, the latter permitting it to fly alongside crewed aircraft such as the Republic of Korea Air Force's KAI KF-21, Boeing F-15, and Lockheed Martin F-35 during missions.
Intended to be reusable, but with a low cost making it attritable, MUCCA can operate on autonomous missions or controlled by crewed platforms. In the latter application, it would typically fly ahead of the main force to target critical facilities and engage defenses in hostile airspace. The maximum payload is 2,650 pounds carried in internal bays and can include various effectors such as precision-guided munitions up to a single 2,000-pound weapon. The MUCCA can also air-launch SUCA vehicles.

News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.

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