DAPA holds system development completion ceremony

Helicopter demonstrates multi-weapon operational capability

[Yonhap]
[Yonhap]

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said Wednesday it will hold a system development completion ceremony for the Marine Attack Helicopter (MAH) at Korea Aerospace Industries in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province. Senior officials from South Korea's Ministry of National Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Marine Corps and foreign military attachés stationed in South Korea are attending the event.

DAPA began MAH system development in October 2022 and completed the helicopter's first test flight in December 2024, subsequently passing a series of evaluations including weapons firing tests, shipboard operation tests and environmental trials. The program received a "combat-ready" certification in July, leading to the establishment of defense specifications, and obtained airworthiness certification — which guarantees aircraft safety — in August.

A key achievement of the development is that the MAH became the first domestically developed military helicopter to demonstrate multi-weapon operational capability. The helicopter completed live-fire tests with a 20mm turret-type machine gun, 70mm guided and unguided rockets, the air-to-ground missile "Cheongeom," and air-to-air missiles designed to counter enemy attack helicopters and drones — proving its ability to engage both ground targets and aerial threats.

The MAH also secured precision strike capability by integrating a day/night target acquisition and designation system with a helmet-mounted display. It further demonstrated the salt-corrosion resistance and shipboard operation capability required for maritime environments, meeting the performance standards needed for amphibious operations.

Once fielded, the MAH is expected to expand the Marine Corps' amphibious operational domain from the ground into the air. It will serve as a core asset for maximizing the mobility of landing forces and conducting multidimensional amphibious operations.

"The successful completion of this system development is the result of close cooperation among DAPA, the military and domestic defense industry," said Jeong Jae-jun, head of DAPA's base capability program division. "We will do our utmost to keep subsequent milestones on track — including the launch of mass production in 2027 — so that the marine attack helicopter can be fielded on schedule."


youknow@heraldcorp.com