Korean Air Aerospace Division (KAA) (original) (raw)

Since its foundation in 1976, Korean Air Aerospace Division (KAA) has a vital role in establishing the foundation of Korean aerospace industry. In a relative short period of time, it has secured a high level of national defense capability by building the 500MD/D, UH-60 helicopters and F-5E/F, F-16C/D fighters and playing an active role in modification as well as maintenance of various military aircraft. Korean Air is serves world-wide major aircraft manufacturers by supplying wings, fuselage and empennage components. It also has been qualified for quality system by acquiring IS0 9001 and Korean national defense quality system certification.

In 1976, Korean Air began the production of the 500MD helicopter under the license MDHC, which was the very first footstep of aircraft manufacturing in Korea. Entering the 1980's, it has established a solid status in Korean aerospace indusrty by successfully accomplishing production programs of military aircraft such as F-5E/F fighter of Northrop and developing 520MK helicopter. Korean Air has an experience and capability of manufacturing aircraft parts, testing aircraft components and final assembly for the UH-60P helicopter program. It also has upgraded UH-60 helicopters for various mission until recently. As one of the primary contractors for Korean Fighter Program, Korean Air has taken charge of producing the main wing and rear fuselage for the F-16 fighter. It is also delivering the center and rear fuselage of the KT-1 basic trainer.

With a high-technological capability of designing, manufacturing and testing structural and non-structural aircraft major components accumulated over 20 years, Korean Air Aerospace has participated in world-wide commercial aircraft development program. Korean Air Aerospace is now major design and manufacture supplier to Boeing and Airbus with supplying Nose, Wings, Fuselage and empennage components of most major commercial airplanes including newest developed airplanes such as 717, 777, 737NG, 747, A340-5/600, A330/340, ERJ 170/190, MD11 and MD80/90. Based on this high-technology of design, producibility, quality, and effective cost, Korean Air successfully developed and produces new advanced Radome and major components of Satellites, and has recognized as "Supplier of the Year 2000" from Boeing.

In 1978, Korean Air began Program Depot Maintenance on the F-4 Phantom for the U.S Department of Defense. Since then, it has evolved to become the leader in Asia for aircraft maintenance on U.S Department of Defense. Korean Air has accumulated experience in maintenance and modification of aircraft through our successful completion on more than 30 different types of 2,500 military aircraft. Korean Air is performing depot level maintenance and modification of the F-4, P-3C, H-60, 500MD,CH-47, LYNX, ALT-III for the Korean Ministry of National Defense and F-4, F-15, F-16, A-10, CH-53, CH-47, UH-60, OH-58 for the U.S Department of Defense. Korean Air is focusing goals towards extending the service life of aircraft, 'Service Life Extension', and improving aircraft systems, 'System Improvement Program', while continuing with aircraft maintenance program.

Since its foundation, Korean Air has continuously made efforts on research and development program. In 1991, such an effort resulted in the general aviation aircraft, Chang-Gong 91 (Blue Sky 91), which was designed, manufactued and tested by Korean Air for the first time in Korea. Korean Air is participating in the national development program of military trainer KT-1 which is driven by Korean government. In commercial aircraft development, it is also taking part in the co-development program of brand new airliner like 717, 777, A330/340 and ERJ-170/190 and carrying out a feasibility study for next generation airplane co-development programs. And Korean Air is developing the Korean Multi-purpose Helicopter(KMH) with oversea's partner.

As an effort of its advancement in satellite technology, Korean Air has taken part in developing and building the first Korean communication satellite program called Mugoongwha, which was successfully launched on August 1995. In this program, Korean Air has successfully developed and manufactured the main bus structure, solar panel and the container for the satellite with high durability. Korean Air has been designated as one of the main developer of the Korean Multi-Purpose Satellite (KOMPSAT) program and has developed and manufactured KOMPSAT's Primary structure and Thermal control system. Korean Air is developing the antenna for communication and broadcasting satellite and is planning to participate in various global satellite programs.