LIG Nex1 unveiled its new medium UAV common platform at ADEX 2025. (Janes/Sunil Nair)

LIG Nex1 has unveiled a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2025. The UAV is being developed as a multirole platform for the Republic of Korea (RoK) Army.

Designated as the medium UAV common platform (MUCP), its development is being conducted on an expedited track to give the RoK Army an unmanned intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capability within two years, a project official told Janes during ADEX 2025. The exhibition is being conducted from 17 to 24 October.

South Korea’s Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) launched the project in 2023. “LIG Nex1 won the tender in August 2024 and we expect to complete the development of the UAV by the end of 2026,” the project official said.

The UAV has a length of 4.701 m, a wingspan of 7 m, and a height of 1.62 m. With a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 340 kg, which includes a payload capacity of 30 kg, the UAV will have a maximum speed of 160 km/h, an operating altitude of over 3 km, and a cruise speed of 140 km/h, according to information presented by LIG Nex1.

Without a ground relay station (GRS), the UAV’s maximum range is usually 50 km; however, employing a GRS, it can be extended to almost 80 km, the project official said. The UAV has an endurance of over five hours, according to LIG Nex1.

Janes understands that the UAV has not yet conducted its maiden flight, with flight-testing due to start in 2026, according to the project official.

Looking to read the full article?

Gain unlimited access to Janes news and more…