Korean Air sells six drones to the military

An image of a Korean Air Lines hybrid drone. [KOREAN AIR LINES]

Korean Air Lines is supplying six drones to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) in late October, the company said Thursday.

The airline has an aerospace division.

The six drones are designed for coastal surveillance. They can take off and land vertically.

The exact use of the drones by the military is unknown, but they can fly for two hours and take regular and infrared videos.

These hybrid drones feature both internal combustion and battery engines.

After six months of testing the drones, the military may place more orders, the airline said.

Korean Air Lines has been developing hybrid drones since 2016.

The drones being sold to the military are able to fly at an altitude of 500 meters (1640 feet) and have a range of 72 kilometers (45 miles). They can operate at temperatures ranging from minus 20 degrees Celsius (minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit) to 45 degrees Celsius.

The airline said it is developing drones that can be used in various situations, including firefighting and policing, and plans to pursue international orders.

The drones received approval from the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM), which is under the Ministry of Science and ICT.

BY JIN MIN-JI [jin.minji@joongang.co.kr]