Seoul (South Korea): AeroVironment, Inc. (AV), the U.S.-based global leader in unmanned systems technology, has formally partnered with Korean Air through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that positions the South Korean flag carrier as its key defense collaborator in the region. The agreement, signed during the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX 2025), underscores a shared commitment to advancing medium unmanned aircraft systems (MUAS) for the Republic of Korea’s defense forces.
At the heart of the collaboration is the integration and localization of AeroVironment’s JUMP 20, a Group 3 vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned aircraft designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. The MOU lays the groundwork for ongoing joint research, development, and local manufacturing, aligning with the South Korean Ministry of National Defense’s broader push to expand domestic unmanned systems infrastructure and reduce reliance on foreign imports.
Larry Satterfield, AeroVironment’s Senior Director of Business Development for Asia-Pacific, said the agreement represents both strategic expansion and technological adaptability. “This agreement signals our growing international footprint, market presence, and commitment to delivering adaptable solutions in collaboration with trusted, in-country partners around the world,” he noted. He added that the JUMP 20’s mission flexibility makes it the anchor of AeroVironment’s partnership with Korean Air, strategically aligning with the country’s evolving defense requirements.
Korean Air’s established defense ecosystem — which includes aircraft modification, maintenance, and systems integration capabilities — will complement AeroVironment’s extensive experience in unmanned platforms. Together, the companies aim to deliver a mission-ready Korean MUAS solution optimized for regional defense needs and future export potential.
The JUMP 20 has rapidly become a preferred Group 3 unmanned system within NATO and allied militaries. Its proven endurance, range, and ability to accommodate multiple payloads make it ideal for ISR operations, communications relay, and target acquisition missions. Recent contracts across Europe, including with Denmark and Italy, highlight its growing global appeal and operational success.
This partnership also fits within South Korea’s broader defense modernization agenda, which increasingly focuses on AI-enabled, autonomous, and multi-domain capabilities. By combining AeroVironment’s experience in unmanned platforms with Korean Air’s manufacturing and R&D strengths, the alliance aims to cultivate indigenous expertise that supports long-term defense self-reliance and export competitiveness.
AeroVironment, listed on NASDAQ, is recognized for its integrated defense technologies across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains. The company’s solutions include loitering munitions, counter-UAS systems, space-based assets, directed energy systems, and AI-powered command platforms under its AV_Halo suite, which enables rapid decision-making through detection, analysis, and engagement.
The newly signed MOU with Korean Air marks another major milestone for AeroVironment’s expansion in the Indo-Pacific region. As global defense forces adapt to new operational realities shaped by autonomy and data-driven warfare, such collaborations are expected to define the future landscape of intelligent military aviation.
