Korea Aerospace Industries announced Friday 23rd January that its Korean Utility Helicopter for Korean Marines Corps has completed a first test flight successfully on January 19 in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province.  The flight – with two pilots and two technicians – was about 30 minutes, and was mainly concerned with low-level activities including forward and backward flight, change of direction and hover.

The Marine variant has TACAN (Tactical Air Navigation), HF radios, auxiliary fuel tanks – and floats for emergencies and intentional water landings.  Other features from the sparse press photos include upward-angled exhaust outlets and a wire-strike system above the cockpit windows.

Marketing activity for the various Surion variants is currently focused on the Middle East, Far East and Latin America.

Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com