KAI to Showcase KF-21, AAP Drone and AI Pilot Tech at ADEX 2025 in Seoul

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) will participate in the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition 2025 (ADEX) at Seoul Airport from October 17–19 and at KINTEX from October 20–24, showcasing a broad lineup of aircraft, unmanned systems and emerging technologies.

At the Seoul Airport display, visitors can view flight demonstrations and static displays of KAI aircraft. The program includes flight demonstrations of the KF-21, demonstration maneuvers by the KT-1, T-50 and LAH, and aerobatic performances by the Black Eagles flying T-50B aircraft throughout the three days.

At the KINTEX exhibition, KAI will present a simulated future battlefield environment tailored to land, sea and air force needs and introduce concepts for next‑generation air combat systems. Newly revealed technologies will include a simulator equipped with an AI pilot and the AAP unmanned aerial vehicle.

KAI’s ADEX exhibition is organized into multiple zones — fixed‑wing, rotary‑wing and space — designed to give visitors a sense of an integrated future air battlefield. The Fixed‑Wing Zone features a special display that synchronizes KF-21 flight and weapons maneuvers with LED backdrops. KAI will also unveil the full‑scale prototype of its adaptable multipurpose unmanned platform AAP for the first time. The AAP is capable of roles ranging from loitering strike and decoy to unmanned target operations, promising greater operational flexibility for future airpower.

In the Rotary‑Wing Zone, a real LAH helicopter will be on display to bring the army aviation platform closer to the public. The LAH exhibit will be accompanied by ALE (Air Launched Effects) systems—air‑deployed unmanned vehicles designed for reconnaissance, decoy and strike missions. KAI is developing heliborne manned‑unmanned teaming (MUM‑T) systems with an operational target year of 2030.

The M&S Zone will offer an ACP simulator experience in which visitors can test their skills against an AI combat pilot. The ACP (AI Combat Pilot) system is being trained on diverse engagement scenarios to advance KAI’s AI pilot capabilities.

The IPS Zone, an AI‑based immersive live experience, will demonstrate next‑generation logistics and maintenance support across the aircraft lifecycle. Combining real‑time streaming and virtual reality, the exhibit aims to overcome current VR training limitations and present an advanced maintenance support model.

In the Space Zone, KAI will display models of next‑generation medium satellites, optical satellites and very small satellites, underscoring the company’s growing capabilities in the space sector ahead of expanding demand in the New Space era.

Aligned with the exhibition, KAI will also step up marketing to promote exports of domestically produced aircraft. Marking 20 years since the first FA-50 deliveries, KAI will host “Eagles Night” on October 19, inviting delegations and industry partners from about 30 countries, including current operators such as Thailand, Poland and Malaysia, along with potential buyers and domestic stakeholders.

The event will feature presentations on operational case studies and pilot interviews to build confidence in Korean aircraft and discuss future export opportunities for KAI and Korea’s defense industry. Chief of Staff of the Air Force Son Seok‑rak, senior Army and Navy officials, and representatives from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration will attend to emphasize the importance of a “One Team” strategy for promoting domestic defense exports.