KAI KUH-1 Surion

Summary

Description

The KAI KUH-1 Surion's development was initiated in December 2005, when the South Korean government selected Eurocopter as the primary partner to Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) for the Korea Helicopter Project - Korea Utility Helicopter (KHP-KUH). In June 2006, KAI and Eurocopter secured a ₩1.3 trillion research and development contract from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). The development was funded 84% by the South Korean government, with KAI and Eurocopter contributing the remaining 16%. Eurocopter provided technical assistance for the power transmission, main gearbox, boom and tail gearboxes, automatic flight control system, and rotor mast. In June 2008, KAI announced the rollout of the first prototype, followed by ground tests later that year. On 10 March 2010, KAI announced the successful maiden flight of the Surion prototype, and in May 2010, the prototype performed its first public flight demonstration. Deliveries of the first Surion model began in December 2012, and low-temperature testing in Alaska concluded in February 2013, formally completing the development of the KUH-1 Surion in March.

The KAI KUH-1 Surion is a twin-engine, medium-sized multipurpose rotorcraft. It is designed to carry up to nine troops, with a crew of four, including two pilots and two gunners, in a utility transport configuration; rapid reconfiguration enables it to serve in different roles. Some models are navalized. The helicopter is capable of carrying up to 13 passengers in its standard configuration. With the KUH-1E variant, this can be expanded to a maximum of 18 passengers.

Power is provided by two 1900shp class Hanwha Techwin T700-701K turboshaft engines, license-built and localized developments of the General Electric T700. The T700/701K features a -701D common core, a high-efficiency counter-rotating power turbine, and a new FADEC system. The exhausts of the engines are equipped with large infrared suppressors, adapted from those used on the AS332.

The airframe and cockpit are bulletproof against small arms fire. The airframe, tail rotor, and the rotor blades used on both the main and tail rotors have a crashworthy construction, and anti-explosion sealed fuel tanks are incorporated. The main gearbox is capable of flying for a limited period after suffering the loss of lubricating oil.

Electronic defensive measures include a countermeasures dispenser system (CMDS), radar warning receiver (RWR), and laser warning receiver (LWR). The Surion is equipped with navigation and communication equipment from Cobham plc, while Sandle Avionic's HeliTAWS multi-hazard avoidance system is installed on police service variants. Elbit Systems of Israel produces the helmet mounted display (HMD) used on the Surion, allowing the crew to conduct full day-and-night operations.

The KUH-1 is typically equipped with a couple of 7.62mm pintle-mounted machine gun pods for self-defense. Additionally, removable pylons or hardpoints can be installed to accommodate heavier gun pods, air-launched rockets, and/or anti-tank guided missiles, expanding its offensive capabilities. It can carry a useful lift of 2,700 kg (6,000 lb) of external load.

On 22 May 2013, a handover ceremony of ten Surions marked the helicopter's deployment at the Army Aviation School in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province. The KUH-1 first saw operational use in August 2015, conducting MEDEVAC following North Korean artillery strikes near the Korean Demilitarized Zone, achieving an availability rate reportedly exceeding 80 percent. However, in July 2016, the Surion fleet was grounded temporarily after the CHC Helikopter Service Flight 241 incident. Deliveries were paused in late 2016 due to icing issues discovered during winter testing, which underwent repeated trials in late 2017. In July 2020, the South Korean Army retired its UH-1H helicopters after 52 years of service, replacing them with the Surion. The final Surion delivery to the ROK Army occurred on 4 June 2024, totaling 210 KUH-1s and 8 KUH-1Ms since production began in December 2010. On 17 March 2025, a Surion was destroyed when a Heron UAV crashed into it while landing.

Main Variants:

• KUH-1 Surion (Transport): The basic military utility variant used by the Republic of Korea Army for general transport duties.

• KUH-1M (MEDEVAC): A dedicated medical evacuation variant equipped with a hoist, weather radar, auxiliary fuel tank, traffic collision avoidance system, medical equipment, and a motorized stretcher system.

• MUH-1 Marineon (Amphibious): Designed for the Republic of Korea Marine Corps with modifications for shipboard operations, including an integrated flotation system, auxiliary fuel tank, specialized radio equipment, and a folding main rotor.

• MAH Marineon (Marine Attack Helicopter): An attack variant of the MUH-1 Marineon for the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, featuring stub wings with hardpoints for TAIpers, rocket pods, and Mistral missiles, and a chin-mounted 20 mm gun turret.

• KUH-1P Chamsuri (Law Enforcement): A variant tailored for law enforcement duties operated by the Korean National Police Agency, featuring specialized equipment such as weather radar, traffic collision avoidance system, inertial navigation system, and external hoist and cameras.

Technical specifications

Current operating countries

Country		Units
	South Korea	117 (+195)

Numbers in parentheses, e.g. '(+5)', indicate units ordered but not yet delivered.

All operators

South Korea

Armament

Missiles payload:

• Anti-Tank BGM-71 TOW