South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and Korean Air Aerospace Division (KAL-ASD) have unveiled the Low Observable Unmanned Wingman System (LOWUS), a stealth drone designed to operate alongside the KF-21 Boramae next-generation fighter.
The prototype was presented at Korean Air’s Busan Tech Center on Tuesday.
🔴 South Korean aerospace company KAI has unveiled LOWUS, the Loyal Wingman aircraft developed to operate alongside the KF-21 Boramae fighter jet. pic.twitter.com/O1ZdXc3B8Z
— Defence Türkiye En (@defencetr_en) February 26, 2025
The LOWUS drone is intended for missions including reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and strike operations, supporting manned aircraft like the KF-21.
The drone features stealth characteristics, such as a reduced radar cross-section and the use of radar-absorbent materials. Its design includes a trapezoidal fuselage, sharply swept main wings, a V-shaped tail, and an air intake located above the fuselage.
South Korea Unveils LOWUS Stealth #Drone
South Korea has revealed the Low Observable Unmanned #Wingman System (LOWUS)—a stealthy drone to operate with the KF-21 Boramae. Developed by Korean Air & ADD, it was rolled out at Busan Tech Center. pic.twitter.com/mI5eL0FSuT
— Falcon Warrior (@FalconWarrior2) February 26, 2025
Unlike similar drones, the LOWUS incorporates an electro-optical sensor turret beneath the nose. While the prototype is expected to be powered by Ukrainian Ivchenko-Progress AI-322 engines, future models will likely integrate a 5,000-pound-class engine from Hanwha Systems upon completion of its development.
ADD plans to conduct the first flight of the LOWUS technology demonstrator by the end of the year, with manned-unmanned teaming flight tests set to take place by 2027.
According to a Defense Mirror report, South Korea is also developing KF-21s to replace its aging F-4E and F-5E/F fighters. The country aims to deploy 40 KF-21s by 2028, with plans to expand the fleet to 120 by 2032.
