On a press release by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. on 27 October 2020, the company announced that it wants to build on its industrial collaboration efforts in the Republic of Korea (ROK). GA-ASI has been active in exploring supply chain and research opportunities in ROK since 2017, with collaborative Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with Huneed Technologies Co. Ltd. (Huneed) and Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). In September 2020, GA-ASI executed a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) with Korea Jig & Fixture (KJF). GA-ASI hopes to collaborate with KJF on future manufacture of support equipment.
“KJF just made the first step towards future cooperation with GA-ASI. We would like to deliver made-in-Korea equipment supporting GA-ASI’s RPAS operation,” said KJF Executive Vice President Jisang Park.
“General Atomics is focused on building strategic international partnerships with local industry and educational institutions to enable the best solutions for our customers around the globe,” said Tommy Dunehew, vice president of International Strategic Development for GA-ASI. “ROK is a global leader in information and communication technologies and we aim to develop a bigger presence in ROK to tap into this resource.”
Huneed Technologies is a Korean developer and manufacturer of airborne systems, and defense communication systems. GA-ASI selected Huneed to become its lead partner in ROK. Founded in 1968, Huneed invests in people, equipment, and technical competence to create end-to-end inhouse aerospace development, manufacturing, international program management capabilities. They also have a proven history of building successful long-term relationships.
“We are pleased to be working with GA-ASI, the world’s technology leader of advanced remotely piloted aircraft that is revolutionizing defense and civil mission capabilities. Our partnership discussions has been an important part of our next steps to expand our business globally by 2025 as we look beyond contract manufacturing. Our growing capabilities into built-to-specification production, joint electronics systems development and Avionics Manufacture, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) capabilities at a global scale are resources available to GA-ASI in the future,” said Eugene Kim, chairman of Huneed.
