South Korean loyal wingman drone with AI teaming capability designed to accompany KF-21 Boramae fighters. Autonomous multi-mission capability for strike and EW.
South Korea's R1 Mojo program directly mirrors the autonomous wingman concepts being developed in the US, Australia, and Turkey, reflecting a common recognition that future air combat will require human-machine teams rather than purely crewed or purely unmanned forces. The integration with the KF-21 Boramae fighter is central to the design, with the autonomous wingman serving as an active defense suppression and forward sensing asset for the crewed aircraft. Korea Aerospace Industries has committed to developing the AI autonomy stack domestically rather than purchasing foreign systems to avoid potential export restrictions on the most sensitive algorithms.
KAI development program announced 2022; technology demonstrator planned 2026
Korea Aerospace Industries (047810.KS) is publicly traded on the Korea Stock Exchange and is the primary beneficiary of the R1 Mojo program. Hanwha Aerospace (012450.KS) competes for similar autonomous system contracts.