South Korea launches concept study for sixth-generation fighter

South Korea has launched a concept study for a future fighter that could eventually succeed the KF-21 Boramae, with the new aircraft expected to incorporate stealth and artificial intelligence technologies, as well as the ability to operate alongside uncrewed combat aircraft.

The Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) issued a tender for what it calls the “Korean Next-Generation Fighter Concept Study.” The government has allocated KRW 900 million ($650,000) for the 14-month study.

The program will examine the operational concept and required capabilities for a future South Korean fighter and identify an optimal aircraft configuration.

DAPA said the work will focus on a manned-unmanned combat system, broadband stealth and AI as South Korea considers the capabilities it will need to counter increasingly sophisticated threats.

The study will also examine potential aircraft configurations, analyze their operational effectiveness and develop a roadmap for securing key technologies needed for a future fighter.

The project remains at a very early stage. South Korea has not yet formally launched development of a new fighter or committed to producing an aircraft.

Instead, the concept study is intended to provide information that could be used to establish formal operational requirements and support subsequent preliminary studies and a feasibility assessment before a decision is made on whether to begin full-scale development.

The tender calls for the study to begin after a contractor is selected. Bids are due October 1, 2026, according to the procurement notice.

South Korea has already begun investing in technologies that could eventually support such an aircraft. DAPA said in its 2026 budget that the country planned to begin research and development of a next-generation stealth fighter using experience and technology accumulated during the KF-21 program. The agency allocated KRW 63.6 billion ($46 million) for next-generation fighter and related structures, materials and sensor research.

The future aircraft is expected to rely heavily on manned-unmanned teaming, allowing a crewed fighter to work with multiple uncrewed aircraft performing missions such as reconnaissance, electronic warfare, deception and strike.

Artificial intelligence could also be used for sensor fusion and mission support, while broadband stealth would seek to reduce the aircraft’s detectability across multiple types of sensors rather than radar alone.

The effort comes as South Korea completes development of the KF-21, its first domestically developed supersonic fighter.

DAPA formally marked the end of KF-21 system development on July 29 following more than 1,600 flight tests. The first production aircraft are scheduled to be delivered to the Republic of Korea Air Force in the second half of 2026.

The KF-21 was initially developed as a 4.5-generation fighter, but South Korea has already outlined plans to progressively improve its low-observable capabilities and integrate AI and manned-unmanned teaming technologies into it.The post South Korea launches concept study for sixth-generation fighter appeared first on AeroTime.

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