South Korea unveils MUAV reconnaissance drone inspired by the MQ-9 Reaper

South Korea unveiled a new intelligence UAV – and immediately drew parallels with the American MQ-9 Reaper. The aircraft, called the MUAV (Medium-Altitude Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), is modeled after the Pentagon's famous Reaper.

It's 13 meters long, has a 26-meter wingspan, and is powered by a 1200-horsepower turboprop engine. Its operating altitude is over 10 kilometers, and its cruising speed is approximately 350 km/h.

The external resemblance is further emphasized by the distinctive fairing under the fuselage. It likely houses a synthetic aperture radar and beyond-visual-range communications systems. But the important thing isn't the image, it's the "inside." The drone is completely autonomous—from takeoff to landing. It can hover for hours, collecting intelligence without human intervention.

The development was led by a coalition of Korean giants: DAPA, Korean Air, LIG ​​Defense, and Hanwha Systems. The program budget is 980 billion won (approximately $735 million). Serial production is scheduled for 2028. Systems integration and test flights with military crews will take place in July. Official delivery to the Republic of Korea Air Force is scheduled for early 2027.

The Chief of Staff of the Korean Air Force, General Son Seok-rak, has already stated that the army must lead in the development of unmanned systems of the future.

Comments

[tralflot1832]

Do I know how it will end if MUAV appears in the skies of the DPRK!!?

[Sky strike fighter]

The drone is completely autonomous, from takeoff to landing. It can hover in the air for hours, collecting intelligence without human intervention.

Great stuff. What do we have on this topic? A domestic SAR radar (synthetic aperture radar, which allows for surface imaging regardless of weather conditions) for UAVs from New Space.

We're talking about a VTOL UAV project with a synthetic aperture radar. This device is operational right now, and the key equipment on board is domestically produced. It's simple: no one will sell us "non-domestic" solutions in this area today. The VTOL UAV itself can take off like a helicopter, which is especially important for hard-to-reach regions. And the SAR + UAV combination itself can quite successfully replace a satellite in areas where sending one for separate imaging is too expensive. With the right approach, such UAVs could revolutionize the "national economy" by mapping terrain online. Clearly, in the current environment, we are interested not only in civilian but also military applications. In this context, UAVs with SAR can be actively used for minefield detection, mapping, and subsequent clearance.

https://dzen.ru/a/aaAY5w_Zm1WrbDfq

The latest S-70 Okhotnik strike and reconnaissance drone for the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter is undergoing state testing and is ready to participate in combat trials. ... Retired Colonel Roman Nasonov specified that the Okhotnik's flight speed is 1400 km/h, its weight is 20 tons, and its length is 20 meters. The S-70's wingspan is 14 meters, and its payload is 3,8 tons. The aircraft flies 100 kilometers ahead of the Su-57 to provide cover.

https://www1.ru/news/2026/04/05/vedomyi-su-57-novyi-dron-oxotnik-s-70-oxotnik-vysel-na-gosispytaniia.html

Pictured is a Su-57E of the Algerian Air Force.

[Ivanhoe]

Let them go into the series, let them dump you into the sky on the Gulf MQ-9!

[opera fan]

Огромные самолёты радиэлектронной разведки уходят в прошлое, уступая место беспилотной технике.
Вот начинается мировое соревнование - у кого электроника лучше. Обязательно Китай, как один из мировых инноваторов, покажет своё решение. Япония не останется в стороне.
Ну и конечно Европа.

У нас с микроэлектроникой всё печально. В лучшем случае, разве что Китай нам что-то продаст, явно не самое современное. Мы обречены быть вечными догоняющими.
А ещё хуже у нас дела с современным литографическим оборудованием. Впрочем, даже могущественного Китая с этим проблемы.