South Korea Fields New Helicopter Flight Simulator

The Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) has fielded a new Korean Utility Helicopter 1 (KUH-1) ‘Surion’ flight training simulator. The nation’s Defence Acquisition Programme Administration (DAPA) announced its deployment on 29 June. Following its deployment with the ROK, the programme will now transition into series production.

The Surion flight training simulator will provide more realistic training by replicating adverse weather conditions, engine failures and other emergency scenarios more realistically than the ROKA’s existing simulators.

Kim Kyung-ho, Head of DAPA’s Helicopter Project Division said the simulator would enhance pilot proficiency and emergency response capabilities through more realistic virtual training.

The Surion flight training simulator features a visual system that provides out-of-window cues, a cockpit identical to the helicopter, a control loading system that reproduces flight control forces, seat vibration systems for pilot and co-pilot stations, an environmental audio system, a data processing unit and an instructor operating station for monitoring, evaluation, replay and tactical scenario management.

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) was contracted by DAPA to develop the simulator in December 2023. The Surion utility helicopter has been operational with the South Korean armed forces since 2012.