Kia is participating in the “Seoul ADEX 2023,” South Korea’s largest aerospace and defense industry exhibition.
The Seoul ADEX (Aerospace & Defense Exhibition) has been held biennially since its first exhibition in 1996, and this year marks its 14th iteration. It will take place from today until the 22nd (Sunday) at Seoul Airport in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, with over 550 companies from 34 countries confirmed to participate, making it the largest event in history.
Participating under the theme of “Supporting Safe and Sustainable Mobility for Our Armed Forces,” Kia will debut the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell military drone concept. Additionally, it will present ▲ hydrogen fuel cell multicopter drone ▲ EV9 military concept car ▲ medium chassis, among others.
The ‘Hydrogen Fuel Cell Military Drone Concept’ is an unmanned drone capable of performing various missions such as logistics support, reconnaissance, and surveillance. It is currently under development, aimed at achieving superior high-speed cruising using hydrogen fuel cell technology and lightweight structure aggregated from the Hyundai Motor Group’s know-how. It features a lift-and-cruise configuration, with separate propellers for vertical takeoff and landing as well as high-speed cruising, ensuring safe operation in various environments.
The ‘Hydrogen Fuel Cell Multicopter Drone’ is designed to utilize both batteries and hydrogen fuel cells, moving efficiently over long distances, distinguishing it from standard UAM vehicles that rely solely on batteries. Notably, it has been registered as the first hydrogen fuel cell aircraft that passes domestic certification standards.
The ‘EV9 Military Concept Car’ is a reinterpretation of Kia’s flagship electrified SUV, the EV9, tailored for military transport, featuring a body with high crash stability and a V2L function that guarantees smooth power supply during combat situations.
The ‘Medium Chassis’ platform can be utilized for various military purposes, showcasing Kia’s vision for purpose-built vehicles (PBV), as it can also be produced for civilian use such as police cars and ambulances.
Meanwhile, Kia plans to construct the largest integrated exhibition hall to date at this event in collaboration with defense affiliates like Hyundai Rotem and Hyundai Wia, expanding joint marketing efforts based on mutual cooperation. Hyundai Rotem will unveil the physical model of a 30-ton wheeled armored vehicle for the first time, while Hyundai Wia will display actual components of the K2 tank and K9 self-propelled howitzer.
A Kia official stated, “At Seoul ADEX 2023, we are showcasing various special vehicles that assist the military’s safe and sustainable mobility, including the hydrogen fuel cell military drone concept. We will continue to propose future military mobility visions by developing specialized vehicles with innovative technologies.”
Contact: Jin Sang Lee daedusj@autodiary.kr