KAI KUH-1 Surion

Summary

Description

The KUH-1 Surion is a twin-engine, transport utility helicopter developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in partnership with Eurocopter, now known as Airbus Helicopters. The project was initiated to replace the aging fleet of UH-1H and 500MD helicopters used by the Republic of Korea Armed Forces. Development started in 2006, and the helicopter made its first flight in 2010. It was officially introduced into service in 2013.

The development of the KUH-1 Surion was part of a broader effort by South Korea to reduce its dependence on foreign military technology. Costing approximately $1.3 billion, the project aimed to produce a multirole helicopter suitable for various missions, including troop transport, search and rescue, and medevac operations.

KAI and Airbus Helicopters collaborated on the design, which incorporates a four-bladed main rotor and a two-bladed tail rotor. The helicopter is powered by two General Electric T700 turboshaft engines. It has a maximum speed of around 259 km/h (161 mph) and a range of about 260 nautical miles.

The Surion was designed with modularity in mind to facilitate different configurations for diverse missions. It can be equipped with various systems, such as FLIR (Forward-Looking Infrared), electronic warfare suites, and armaments depending on the intended role.

Armament

The KUH-1 Surion was primarily designed as a utility helicopter, but it can be configured for armed roles depending on the mission requirements. The aircraft has provisions for weapon mounts and can be equipped with a variety of armaments. These can include door-mounted machine guns, such as the M60D, for close air support and troop cover. It also has hardpoints that can carry rocket pods for light attack roles.

Operational history

The KUH-1 Surion was officially introduced into service with the Republic of Korea Army in 2013. Since then, it has been used in a variety of roles, including troop transport, medevac, and search and rescue missions. The helicopter was deployed in domestic operations for tasks such as disaster relief, most notably in emergency situations like floods and fires.

However, the Surion faced several setbacks. In 2018, a Marine Corps Surion crashed, killing five, which led to questions about its safety. Investigations were conducted, and design improvements were subsequently made. Another issue came up regarding the helicopter's performance in cold weather conditions, specifically problems related to icing, which also led to modifications.

Despite these challenges, the Surion has been gradually replacing the older UH-1H and 500MD helicopters in the Republic of Korea Armed Forces' inventory. Specialized variants have also been developed, including a maritime version for the Korean Marine Corps and a Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) version for light attack roles.

Variants

The KUH-1 Surion has several variants:

• MUH-1 Marineon: A specialized Marine variant designed for amphibious assault and other Marine-specific requirements.
• *KUH-1P Chamsuri*: Police variant equipped for law enforcement tasks, featuring advanced communication systems and surveillance equipment.
• KUH-1M Medevac: This is the medical evacuation variant, equipped with life-support systems and medical equipment to transport wounded personnel.
• KUH-ASW: Anti-Submarine Warfare variant developed to conduct maritime surveillance and anti-submarine missions, equipped with torpedoes and anti-ship missiles.
• LAH (Light Armed Helicopter): Based on the Surion platform, this variant is designed for light attack and close air support roles. It is more heavily armed than the basic utility version.

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