MADEX 2023: KAI introduces maritime patrol variant of MC-X transport aircraft

A model of KAI's MC-X cargo aircraft for which a maritime patrol aircraft variant will be derived. (Janes/Ridzwan Rahmat)

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has introduced a maritime patrol variant of its MC-X transport aircraft concept.

Details of the variant were unveiled for the first time at the MADEX 2023 exhibition in Busan by the senior manager of KAI's Fixed-Wing Business Team II, Yoon Jong Sik, who spoke to Janes at the event.

The MC-X is a multirole concept that was first unveiled at the DX Korea exhibition in September 2022. The airframe has a length of 40.3 m and a wingspan of 41.1 m. It has a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 92,000 kg and can take payloads of up to 30,000 kg.

Powered by two turbofan engines, the aircraft can attain a top speed of 918 km/h with a service ceiling of 7,000 km.

“The main goal of the maritime patrol variant of the MC-X is to prepare ourselves for an upcoming requirement of the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF), which is expected to retire its fleet of CN-235s in a few years,” Yoon said in response to questions from Janes.

“However, at this stage, the concept has not been refined and further details of the MPA [maritime patrol aircraft] variant of the MC-X will be provided by 2024,” said Yoon, who spoke through an interpreter from KAI.

“But while further details are being refined, we have incorporated several basic requirements that the RoKAF is known to have for its future MPA. These include the ability to launch anti-submarine missiles such as the Red Shark”, he said, adding the MPA variant will feature six hardpoints beneath its wings to accommodate such weapons.