Hyundai Motor Group is teaming up with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) to develop Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft together. The partnership will combine Hyundai’s expertise in car manufacturing with KAI’s experience in aircraft development to enter the fast-growing global air mobility market.
Recently, Hyundai Motor Group restarted its AAM business by strengthening management at its aviation subsidiary Supernal. With the new partnership with KAI, the company is expected to speed up the development of Korea’s future air mobility industry, also known as K-AAM.
Hyundai Motor Group said on Friday that both companies signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Wednesday at the Hyundai Motor and Kia headquarters in Seocho-gu, Seoul. The agreement focuses on jointly developing AAM aircraft powered by electric aviation systems. The signing ceremony was attended by major officials, including Hyundai Motor Group Vice Chairman Jaehoon Chang and KAI President Kim Jong-chul.
The agreement aims to help Hyundai Motor Group and Korea Aerospace Industries develop and mass-produce competitive Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft. Hyundai will contribute its electric aviation powertrain technology, while KAI will use its experience in aircraft development.
Both companies also agreed to work closely together by sharing technology, skilled workers, and other resources. They plan to cooperate in important areas such as supply chains, aircraft certification and global customer networks to strengthen their AAM business.
Supernal, Hyundai Motor Group’s U.S.-based air mobility company, will work with KAI to design aircraft that can take off and land vertically. At the same time, Hyundai Motor and Kia’s aviation powertrain division will focus on commercializing the electric aviation powertrain technology currently being developed.
“The agreement with KAI, which leads Korea’s aerospace industry, is the greatest strength for us in developing AAM,” Vice Chairman Chang said. “We will present safe yet attractive AAM to expand the horizon of mobility into the skies.”
KAI President Kim Jong-chul also said, “If KAI’s integrated capabilities in fixed-wing and rotary-wing systems combine with Hyundai Motor Group’s mass production system and mobility ecosystem, we can develop a K-AAM that leads the global market.” He added, “The cooperation between the two companies will serve as an opportunity to leap as a game changer in the global commercial mobility market and an important driving force that will lead Korea to become an aviation powerhouse.”
Meanwhile, Supernal recently appointed Farhan Gandhi as its new chief technology officer (CTO). He is well known for his expertise in vertical takeoff and landing aircraft technology.
Gandhi has more than 30 years of experience in researching and developing rotary-wing aircraft. With his strong background in aviation technology, he is expected to help Supernal strengthen its aircraft development and improve its overall technological capabilities.
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), founded in 1999 has mainly focused on military aircraft development. The company developed aircraft such as the KT-1 trainer and the Songgolmae drone. Recently, KAI has also started expanding into the civilian Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) market.
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