Korea Aerospace Industries is studying a concept for a combat drone that it says would conduct air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, including suppression of enemy air defenses. The stealthy aircraft, called K-UCAV, would also operate as an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft with an “excellent sensor system,” the company says. No concrete South Korean requirement for a combat drone has been revealed, but research into such aircraft may be one way for Korea Aerospace to maintain its combat aircraft skills.

South Korean companies could bid for work on the Lockheed Martin F-35 if the country orders the stealth fighter, even though suppliers for the airframe were chosen years ago, the U.S. manufacturer says. As production builds up turning out one fighter a day, second-source suppliers will be needed for parts that Lockheed Martin itself is responsible for supplying, says Steve O’Bryan, vice president for F-35 business development.

BEIJING — Avic General Aircraft is studying development of a multipurpose propeller aircraft in the 30-seat class, which it would build in partnership with the Guizhou provincial government. The latest in an ever-growing wave of new Chinese aircraft projects, the 30-seater would have civil and military applications, says the company’s parent, national aeronautics conglomerate Avic. The project has not yet been launched, but a committee of experts reviewed and passed a report on it last week.