History
Late 1970s ~ 1990
- Established an industrial base centered on aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) and licensed production
- Assembly production of the 500MD and F-5E/F aircraft
- Licensed production of the F-16 (KFP) and UH-60, expanding Korea's domestic manufacturing capabilities
- Accumulated technologies for aerostructure and aircraft component manufacturing
- Established a defense-oriented aerospace industrial base
Late 1990’s
- Marked the beginning of Korea's indigenous aircraft system development era
- Development of the KT-1 Basic Trainer
- Launch of the T-50 Advanced Jet Trainer development program
- Establishment of Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in 1999, integrating the nation's aerospace capabilities
- Secured aircraft design and flight test & evaluation technologies
2000’s
- Full-scale implementation of national aerospace industry promotion policies
- Expanded participation in Boeing and Airbus Risk-Sharing Partner (RSP) programs
- Increased production of key commercial aircraft components for the Boeing 737, Boeing 787, Airbus A320 Family, and other commercial aircraft
- Commenced complete aircraft exports with the overseas sales of the KT-1
- Launch of the KUH Surion helicopter development program
- Development of the Smart UAV and acquisition of next-generation unmanned aircraft technologies
- Accumulated space launch vehicle technologies through the KSLV-I (Naro) development program
2010s - Present
- Development of the KC-100 and acquisition of domestic Type Certification (2011)
- Expansion of T-50 and FA-50 exports to global markets (since 2011)
- Expanded aerostructure supplies for next-generation commercial aircraft, including the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350
- Successful launch of KSLV-I (Naro) (2013)
- Korea–U.S. Military Airworthiness Certification Mutual Recognition (MAR) agreement signed (2016)
- Development of the KF-21 Boramae fighter (prototype rollout in 2021; system development completed in 2024)
- Successful launch of KSLV-II (Nuri) and successful Danuri lunar mission (2022)
- Mass production of the LAH and promotion of the drone, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM/UAM), and MRO industries
- Advancement of the New Space industry and next-generation space exploration programs
