Hyundai Rotem (064350) will invest 300 billion won ($210 million) to establish an aerospace production base in Muju, North Jeolla Province.
The company announced on the 3rd that it signed a memorandum of understanding with Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province at the provincial government office to build an aerospace production facility in Muju County. Kim Kwan-young, Governor of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province, Hwang In-hong, Mayor of Muju County, and Lee Yong-bae, President and CEO of Hyundai Rotem, attended the signing ceremony.
Under the agreement, Hyundai Rotem will invest 300 billion won by 2034 to construct a comprehensive aerospace production base on approximately 760,000 square meters of land in Muju County. The facility will house production buildings, equipment, dormitories, and training centers supporting aerospace operations.
Research and development and production will focus on supersonic ducted ramjet engines, hypersonic dual-mode ramjet engines, and methane engines for space launch vehicles.
The supersonic ducted ramjet engine, considered a promising propulsion system for next-generation guided weapons, generates thrust by drawing in atmospheric air at supersonic speeds and combusting it through a gas generator. Hyundai Rotem began developing this engine last year after winning a contract from the Agency for Defense Development for Korea's long-range air-to-air guided weapon program in partnership with LIG Nex1.
The hypersonic dual-mode ramjet engine has been under development as part of the ADD-led Hycore hypersonic vehicle program. The Hycore vehicle, equipped with this engine, is capable of horizontal supersonic glide flight at high altitudes within the atmosphere, enabling precise maneuvering and speed transitions between subsonic and supersonic velocities.
Hyundai Rotem also formed a consortium with Korean Air last year and won a contract from the Defense Agency for Technology and Quality to develop 35-ton-class methane engine technology. The company has since begun designing methane engines and developing combustion chambers. Methane engines produce less soot during combustion compared to kerosene engines, making them optimal for reusable launch vehicles and a key technology for the commercial space era.
"We will continue to advance our specialized expertise in engine testing facilities to contribute to technological self-reliance and global competitiveness in Korea's aerospace industry," a Hyundai Rotem official said.