The Defense Acquisition Program Administration said it signed a 440 billion won of landing attack helicopter system development contract with Korea Aerospace Industries on Oct. 27.
The Landing Attack Helicopter System Development Project, promoted by domestic research and development, is a project to cover landing helicopters that charge in the air during landing operations by the Marine Corps by 2026 and to research and develop helicopters to support aviation firepower in ground operations.
As a result of the proposal evaluation in May, Korea Aerospace Industries was selected as the target company for negotiation, and the contract was signed in October after a four-month negotiation period. Finally, the domestic research and development project of the Marine Corps landing attack helicopter is full-fledged.
When the system development project is completed, about 20 landing helicopters will be deployed to the Marine Corps from late 2020.
Following the launch of the project in earnest, the agency will push for close cooperation with related agencies.
"The development of landing attack helicopters through this project is expected to serve as an opportunity for the Marines to increase their power for landing operations as well as secure the Marines' ability to carry out three-dimensional high-speed landing operations," said the head of the helicopter business division.