Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has conducted the first flight of a KUH-1 Surion utility helicopter optimised for military medevac missions.
The first flight took place at KAI’s Sachon production facility and lasted for 20 minutes, says the company in a statement.
The 8.7t medevac Surion will first be delivered to the South Korean army in 2018. In 2014, state news agency Yonhap reported that the initial contract is for eight examples.
Korea Aerospace Industries
The aircraft has a hoist for lifting patients, a key consideration given the Korean peninsula’s rough terrain. It also has a detachable auxiliary fuel tank for long-rage missions.
The aircraft can carry six patients and will be equipped with medical equipment including patient monitors, a defibrillator, and a respirator. It will also have beefed up communications that will allow the crew to keep in touch with doctors on the ground.
KAI adds that six Surions that have been deployed with the army carry emergency medical services kits, which lay the foundation for the dedicated medevac version. The South Korean army operates over 40 Surions, and will eventually operate over 200 examples.
Airbus has officially unveiled a new delivery center at its Jean‑Luc Lagardère site, northwest of Toulouse, marking a significant milestone in the industrial ramp‑up of the A320 Family. Purpose...
Gol Airlines continues to expand its South American reach, leveraging its Brazilian network to open new travel possibilities. European passengers can now access southern Argentina through São P...
Regional turboprop fleets show stark disparities in age, reliability, and economic viability. Many aircraft are approaching end‑of‑life, while others are increasingly difficult to operate as spare‑par...
EHang announced its extensive involvement in the FIA Sustainable Innovation Series held in Madrid during the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix week. Organized by the Fédération Internationale...