KAI KUH-1 Surion

The KAI KUH-1 Surion is a twin-engine, transport utility helicopter developed primarily by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) jointly with Eurocopter. In 2006, the research and development phase of the Korea Helicopter Project - Korea Utility Helicopter (KHP-KUH), costing around, was launched by the Agency for Defense Development in 2006. In 2012, full-scale production of the Surion commenced; KAI has been designated as the principal manufacturer of the type.

An initial force of around 245 Surions have been ordered by the Republic of Korea Army to replace their aging fleets of UH-1H utility helicopters and 500MD light utility helicopters, which have been in service for decades. KAI shall also construct civilian and law enforcement variants of the helicopter.

In 2017, the Surion was the centerpiece of an embezzlement scandal involving parent company KAI, the South Korean Ministry of National Defense and its Defense Acquisition Program Administration.

Origins
In December 2005, the South Korean government appointed Eurocopter as the primary partner to KAI for the then-formative Korea Helicopter Project - Korea Utility Helicopter (KHP-KUH). In June 2006, KAI and Eurocopter won the KHP-KUH research and development contract from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) to start the project. It remains Seoul's biggest arms deal ever with a non-US company. The development of the aircraft was funded 84% by the South Korean government and 16% by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Eurocopter. At the time, it was the biggest South Korean defense contract to be issued to a non-American defense company.

A production contract worth about is expected to be signed around 2011 before the start of mass production. Eurocopter took a stake of 30 percent in the 2006-2012 development phase and 20 percent in the following ten-year production phase, KAI and the South Korean government held the remaining stakes in the program. As the prime sub-contractor, Eurocopter has provided technical assistance in part for developing the power transmission, main gearbox, boom and tail gearboxes, automatic flight control system and rotor mast. Eurocopter experts were dispatched to KAI premises (Sacheon, South Korea) to provide support and teach KAI engineers state of the art processes and technologies for the design and manufacture of helicopters.



In June 2008, KAI announced that the first prototype KUH was to be rolled in the following month and that ground tests would begin later that year; the firm also stated that it aimed to conduct the type's first flight in early 2010 and for the first production aircraft to be delivered in 2013. In August 2009, the first prototype was unveiled by President Lee Myung-bak at an unveiling ceremony in Sacheon. In October 2009, it was announced that the program was to be delayed as the result of several ministries having received reduced budgets as greater priority had been placed on social welfare programs; the Ministry of National Defense announced that stability of existing defense programs had been assured.

On 10 March 2010, KAI announced that a prototype had performed the maiden flight of the Surion; two test pilots and an engineer had performed a series of taxiing and hovering maneuvers, as well as a stationary hover at 30 ft (9.1m), during this initial flight. In May 2010, following three months of flight testing, the prototype performed its first public flight demonstration. In January 2011, Eurocopter and KAI established a joint venture, KAI-EC, for the purposes of marketing the Surion and handling export sales; at the time, it was envisioned that 250-300 units would be sold worldwide by 2021. In December 2012, deliveries of the first Surion model formally commenced. In February 2013, low temperature testing in Alaska, United States, was completed, leading to development of the KUH-1 Surion being formally recognized as completed in the following month.

Further development


The KUH-1 Surion served as the basis for a navalised derivative, the Korean Naval Helicopter (KNH). By 2011, the KNH had entered into the development stage; work was being performed on the project by a partnership between KAI, Eurocopter, and Elbit Systems. In January 2016, following completion of development work on the amphibious variant of the Surion, it was announced that this variant had been cleared to enter production later that year.

Various specialised models and derivatives of the KUH-1 have been proposed. In October 2009, KAI revealed that it was studying the potential for developing an indigenous attack helicopter based upon the KUH platform as one available option for meeting an established Korean Army requirement for a new attack helicopter (AH-X). This variant was reportedly to possibly share up to 70 per cent component commonality with the base KUH version. In December 2015, the Korea Forest Service and Jeju Fire Safety Headquarters, the largest civil government helicopter operator, ordered a firefighting and EMS version of the KUH-1 Surion; this requires a special airworthiness certificate.

In 2014, DAPA's Board of Audit and Inspection begun an investigation into the level of indigenous technology used on the Surion; the investigation revealed that the technology transfer arrangement with Airbus Helicopters only covered 134 out of the 450 components used in the rotorcraft's power delivery system amid allegations of a breach of contract, Airbus Helicopters responded that it had honoured the contractual terms.

In October 2015, KAI announced plans to increase production of the Surion from one helicopter per month to three per month in 2016. Between 2011 and 2016, the National Aerospace Laboratory of the Netherlands conducted a technology demonstration program under contract from KAI of an experimental fly-by-wire flight control system for the Surion.

In 2018, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) certified KUH-1's ice protection system allowing the helicopter to operate in icing condition. The test activities performed include component-level development and qualification icing wind tunnel testing at Cox & Co in Long Island, NY, icing qualification testing of the engine air intake ice protection system at Rail Tec Arsenal (RTA) in Vienna, Austria, artificial icing flight testing using the US Army Helicopter Icing Spray System (HISS), and natural icing flight testing of the complete aircraft in the state of Michigan, USA.

KAI is offering the Surion to international markets for military and civilian purposes. In late 2013, it was reported that KAI had received requests for proposals regarding the Surion from two South American nations and another Asian nation; at the time, KAI stated that the company hoped to sell 60–120 over the following 15–20 years. International marketing efforts are expected to escalate in 2017, as prior to this point the overwhelming priority had been to fully develop the Surion to conform with existing domestic requirements and roles. KAI has deliberately focused on marketing the type to countries in which previous export success had been found for the KAI T-50 Golden Eagle and KAI KT-1 Woongbi trainer aircraft.

KUH-1 export version prototype helicopter was unveiled at the Seoul ADEX 2019. The new prototype helicopter has been developed for four years to meet various requirements of foreign customers. This version helicopter equipped GARMIN G5000H avionics suite and strengthened airframe/structures for installation external fuel tanks and weapon wing pylon. Additionally it can accommodate VIPs and passengers with enhanced interior and Bluetooth/wi-fi connectivity.

Design
The KAI KUH-1 Surion is a twin-engine medium-sized multipurpose rotorcraft, carrying up to nine troops along with a crew of four (two pilots and two gunners in the main cabin area) in a utility transport capacity. It has been designed to be rapidly reconfigured to serve different roles, some models are also navalised. The Surion can perform various duties and roles, such as military transport, law enforcement, aerial observation, search and rescue, maritime support, aerial firefighting, and for civilian purposes along with other missions.

Power is provided by a pair of 1900shp class Hanwha Techwin T700-701K turboshaft engines, a licence-built localized development of the General Electric T700. The T700/701K, co-developed by General Electric and Hanwha Techwin, is the first rear-drive variant of the T700 engine and features a -701D common core, high-efficiency counter-rotating power turbine, and a new FADEC system. The exhausts of the engines are equipped with large infrared suppressors; these have been adapted from those used on the AS332. Airbus Helicopters manufactures various elements of the Surion's transmission; the lower-than-intended level of indigenous production of these components has been a point of controversy.

The Surion is equipped with various survivability and damage reduction features. Both the airframe and the cockpit have been made bulletproof against small arms fire. The airframe, tail rotor, and the rotor blades used on both the main and tail rotors are of a crashworthy construction; anti-explosion sealed fuel tanks are also used. The main gearbox is capable of flying for a limited period after suffering the loss of lubricating oil. Various electronic defensive measures are incorporated onto the Surion, such as a countermeasures dispenser system (CMDS), radar warning receiver (RWR), laser warning receiver (LWR).

British firm Cobham plc provides navigation and communication equipment for the Surion. Sandle Avionic's HeliTAWS multi-hazard avoidance system is installed on Surions in police service. Elbit Systems of Israel produces the helmet mounted display (HMD) used on the Surion, the HMD allows the crew to conduct full day-and-night operations.

Operational history
On 22 May 2013, a handover ceremony of ten Surions was conducted to mark the helicopter's deployment at the Army Aviation School in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province, attended by President Park Geun-hye.

The KUH-1 performed its first operational mission in August 2015, conducting MEDEVAC in the aftermath of North Korean artillery shells that struck South Korean territory near the Korean Demilitarized Zone. Since entering service, the Surion has reportedly held an availability rate in excess of 80 percent.

The Surion was grounded in July 2016 in response to the CHC Helikopter Service Flight 241. In late 2016, deliveries of the Surion were halted while a resolution for an icing issue that was discovered during winter testing was worked upon. In late 2017, the Surion underwent a repeat of its icing trials to validate this aspect of its performance.

In July 2020, the South Korean Army retired the last of its UH-1H helicopters after 52 years of operation, the type being replaced by the Surion. The Surion may also replace South Korea's inventory of 103 UH-60P Black Hawk helicopters, but in October 2020 a lawmaker raised concerns that DAPA's decision to retire them in favor of producing 130 additional KUH-1s would cost more than upgrading them while delivering a helicopter with worse endurance, range, and carrying capacity.

On 4 June 2024, the final Surion was delivered to the ROK Army. Since production began in December 2010 and deliveries started in December 2012, 210 KUH-1s and 8 KUH-1Ms were acquired.

Variants
The following variants were planned by KAI aside from the manufacture of the Surion.

KUH-1 Surion (Transport)

 * A basic military utility variant, operated in quantity by the Republic of Korea Army.

KUH-1M (MEDEVAC)

 * A medical evacuation variant. It is equipped with a hoist for lifting patients, a weather radar, a detachable auxiliary fuel tank, a traffic collision avoidance system, medical equipment and motorized stretcher system to treat six patients, and additional communications. First flight occurred on 25 January 2016 and 8 KUH-1M helicopters were delivered to ROKA in 2020.

MUH-1 Marineon (Amphibious)

 * A land- and sea-based amphibious variant for the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, it has a 96 percent part commonality with the Surion. Modifications include an integrated flotation system, auxiliary fuel tank, and specialised radio equipment. It also has a folding main rotor for use aboard Dokdo-class amphibious assault ships; the Marineon first flew on 19 January 2015. In December 2016, KAI secured a contract to deliver 30 Marineons to the Marine Corps, with the first two delivered in January 2018.
 * In April 2021, DAPA approved a project to develop an attack version of the Marineon.
 * In December 2022, KAI was awarded a contract to develop an airborne mine countermeasures (AMCM) system, adapting the Marineon for the role. The equipment will comprise laser mine search equipment, an underwater autonomous mine search vehicle, and an unmanned mine neutralisation system to search, identify, and defuse mines.

MAH Marineon (Marine Attack Helicopter)

 * Attack Variant of the MUH-1 Marineon for the Republic of Korea Marine Corps revealed at ADEX 2021. Comes with 4 hardpoints and a chin-mounted turret.

KUH-1 ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare)

 * A proposed naval variant equipped with torpedoes and anti-ship missiles.



KUH-1P Chamsuri (Law Enforcement)

 * A law enforcement variant chosen by the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) for its Police Helicopter Project. Equipped with a weather radar, traffic collision avoidance system, inertial navigation system, and an external hoist and cameras for rescue duties (extra electronics are needed compared to ordinary police helicopters for operations near North Korea, which frequently conducts jamming operations). There are 10 KUH-1Ps in service and KNPA has signed contract for two additional Chamsuri in 2020.

KUH-1FS (Forest Service)

 * A firefighting and SAR variant. KAI delivered the first example to Korea Forest Service (KFS) in 2018. The KUH-1FS has capabilities to conduct its main missions, such as prevention and suppression of forest fire and rescue activity upon occurrence of mountain accidents with fire-fighting belly tank system, rescue hoist, cargo hook, HTAWS, and so on.

KUH-1EM (Emergency Medical Service & Firefighting)

 * A medical service, firefighting, and SAR variant based on the Surion and was deployed at Jeju Fire and Safety Headquarters in 2018. The KUH-1EM is equipped EMS kit, stretcher system, belly tank system, weather radar, rescue hoist, air-conditioning system, aux. fuel tank, belly tank, emergency floatation system, etc. to conduct diverse missions. National 119 Rescue Headquarter and Gyeongnam Fire Department placed an order for KHU-1 emergency medical helicopters in 2020.

KUH-1CG (Coast Guard)

 * A maritime variant operated by the Korea Coast Guard with advanced mission equipment such as surveillance radar, EO/IR, AIS, SAR-DF, external fuel tanks, air-conditioning system, rescue hoist, emergency floatation, etc. to maintain maritime security and conduct search and rescue. KAI delivered 2 KUH-1 CGs to the Korea Coast Guard in 2019. A second order was made in 2018.

KUH-1E (Export)

 * An export version of the Surion that can perform both utility and attack missions. It features stub wings able to mount gun pods, anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles, and rocket pods; is fitted with the Garmin G5000H touch-screen glass-integrated avionics system, TACS II traffic collision avoidance system, and a three-dimensional weather radar in the nose.

KUHC-1 (Civil)

 * Certified and configured for civil purposes such as emergency patient transfer, fire suppression and search-and-rescue missions. Approved for use by the Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

Current operators

 * 🇰🇷 South Korea
 * Republic of Korea Army: 245 KUH-1 Surions on order. 134 in service as of December 2020. Deliveries completed in June 2024.
 * Republic of Korea Marine Corps: 30 amphibious variant ordered. 13 Marineon helicopters are in service as of December 2020.
 * National Police Agency: 2 KUH-1P aircraft ordered, both delivered by 12 February 2014. In December 2013, KAI received an additional order from National Police Agency. A third was added in late 2015, and a fourth order in 2017. In 2020, additional 2 helicopters are ordered. As of December 2020, 8 police helicopters are in service.
 * Korea Forest Service: Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has been awarded a contract by the Korea Public Procurement Service to provide a variant of KUH Surion helicopter to the Korea Forest Service (KFS), the company announced on 7 December 2015. The service's KUH-1FS was delivered in 2017 and fitted with a 528-gal (2,000-l) belly water tank and a rescue hoist.
 * Jeju Fire Department: Contract to provide a firefighting helicopter for Jeju Fire Safety Headquarters. The 25-billion-won helicopter will likely be launched in 2015. The KUH-1EM was delivered to Jeju Fire and Safety Department Headquarters in 2018.
 * Korea Coast Guard: The Korea Coast Guard (KCG) signed a deal with Korea Aerospace Industries in 2016 for 2 helicopters and the helicopters were delivered in 2019, the KCG ordered an additional helicopter, it will be delivered in 2021.
 * Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI): The company itself operates four prototype units and one export version helicopter.

Potential customers

 * 🇻🇳: In mid-2023, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Viettel Aerospace Institute (VTX) to "cooperate in developing and producing helicopters". By that, KAI and VTX plan to collaborate on the development and production of helicopter's rotary wings. The agreement is expected to boost KAI's presence in the Southeast Asian helicopter market while eventually making Vietnam a very potential customer of the Surion. The then-Vietnamese President Võ Văn Thưởng has revealed to the President of South Korea Yoon Suk Yeol that he will encourage negotiations with Korean firms to find replacements for Vietnam's aging helicopters, while KAI and VTX will together "explore the Vietnamese helicopter market" alongside the mentioned technology cooperation.
 * 🇮🇶: In 2024, Korean media reported that a high-ranking Iraqi Army official, Lieutenant General Samir Zaki Hussein Al-Maliki, commander of Iraq’s Army Aviation Command, recently embarked on a four-day visit to South Korea. [The] official’s visit to South Korea coincides with Iraq’s exploration of potential acquisitions to modernize its military assets. While Iraq previously secured a deal with KAI for the procurement of 24 FA-50 light attack aircraft in 2013, discussions regarding the Surion helicopter mark a new avenue for collaboration between the two nations.

Failed bids

 * 🇵🇭 Philippines: In January 2019, it was reported that attempts to sell the Surion to the Philippines did not materialize. The Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk was selected by the Philippine Air Force instead.

Accidents and incidents

 * In July 2018, a MUH-1 Marineon crashed at Pohang Airport, South Korea killing 5 crewmembers and injuring another one. The helicopter was on a maintenance test flight when it went down at a height of 10m and caught fire. A committee was formed to determine the exact cause of the crash, however the mechanical failure is obvious as the main rotor had separated from the aircraft during take-off.  On 21 December 2018, the final report from a Joint investigation into a fatal crash of Marineon helicopter determined that the defective rotor mast was first caused during the forging process. The faulty rotor mast was supplied by Airbus Helicopters, but manufactured by Airbus Helicopters contractor, Aubert & Duval S.A.  As a follow-up measure, the French government has agreed to guarantee the quality of key helicopter parts including rotor mast produced by Airbus to South Korea for the KUH-1 helicopter.