Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has completed the first formation flight between an FA-50 light combat aircraft and its AAP (Multi-Purpose Aircraft) unmanned platform. According to the company, the flight took place over Goheung, South Jeolla Province, on 8 October and lasted approximately 20 minutes.
The 2 aircraft flew at around 7,000 ft (2.1 km), maintaining a separation of between 9 and 30 m at a speed of 360 km/h, a figure selected in light of flight stability and operational feasibility requirements. The AAP is capable of a top speed of up to 790 km/h, and KAI plans to gradually expand its flight envelope and operational range in the future.
KAI President Kim Jong-chul described the flight as a significant achievement, noting that it demonstrated the operational feasibility of AAP systems through the first manned-unmanned formation flight ever conducted in Korea. The data gathered during the trial will support further demonstrations of multi-aircraft formations for AI pilot-based manned-unmanned teaming, including a future test in which an FA-50 will control an AAP while flying alongside it.
The AAP is a 150 kg-class, high-speed, jet-powered unmanned aircraft, developed in-house with company funding since 2024. The UAV is 3.1 m long, has a 2.2 m wingspan and made its maiden flight in October 2025. Developmental testing has since continued, including trials of autonomous flight technology based on KAI’s AI pilot, KAiLOT. The platform is intended to operate alongside manned fighters and other unmanned aircraft in reconnaissance, electronic jamming, deception and strike missions.
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