See us at Seoul ADEX 2025 : 8-E9
Airbility, KARI Sign UAV Hybrid Power System Tech Transfer Deal
Airbility Signs Technology Transfer Agreement with KARI for Hybrid Power System for UAVsEnhanced UAV performance and operational efficiency expected with hybrid power integration
Products & Services
AB-U60
Airbility Inc.
The AB-U60 is a 60-kg class vectored-thrust eVTOL aircraft designed for surveillance and emergency logistics. Developed in response to the growing global demand for disaster response and urgent logistics solutions, the AB-U60 can be adapted for a variety of industries, including wildfire monitoring, anti-drone operations, and ship resupply. It combines an advanced fanjet electric propulsion system with a hybrid energy source to achieve high-speed flight and extended endurance.
Airbility’s AB-U60 provides key advantages over competitors, offering high-speed flight of up to 250 km/h and vertical takeoff and landing capabilities for operations in confined spaces. Its low-noise fanjet propulsion system makes it suitable for both urban and suburban missions. The aircraft is also equipped with real-time data analysis and AI-based autonomous flight control systems. These features enable more efficient and safer operations.
Airbility’s AB-U60 provides key advantages over competitors, offering high-speed flight of up to 250 km/h and vertical takeoff and landing capabilities for operations in confined spaces. Its low-noise fanjet propulsion system makes it suitable for both urban and suburban missions. The aircraft is also equipped with real-time data analysis and AI-based autonomous flight control systems. These features enable more efficient and safer operations.
AB-U10
Airbility Inc.
The AB-U10 is a 10 kg-class vectored-thrust eVTOL. With a wingspan of 1.8 meters, it features a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 10 kg, a range of over 10 km, a payload capacity of 2 kg, and a maximum speed of 160 km/h. The AB-U10 is a lightweight mission aircraft specifically designed for anti-drone operations, equipped with an integrated net gun system.
AB-M1300
Airbility Inc.
The AB-M1300 is a 1.3 ton-class eVTOL AAM. With a wingspan of 10 meters, the AB- M1300 is a crewed–uncrewed hybrid aircraft aiming for commercialization in 2028. Falling under the Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) certification category, it can carry up to two occupants, reach a maximum speed of 400 km/h, operate for one hour of flight time, has a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 1.3 tons, and a payload capacity of 200 kg. The AB-M1300 is designed for a variety of missions, including mid-mile logistics, personal leisure use, and pilot training.
Description
Future advanced air mobility (AAM) solutions company Airbility (Co-CEOs Jinmo Lee and Taegyu Ryu) announced on the 10th that it has completed a technology transfer agreement with the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) for a 7kW-class hybrid power system designed for drones.
Airbility, a company developing both manned and unmanned eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft based on electric tilt fan-jet technology, plans to utilize this newly introduced technology to extend the flight time of its medium-sized UAVs and significantly enhance their performance in diverse mission environments.
The 7kW-class hybrid power system included in this transfer combines traditional internal combustion engine power with an electric propulsion system. The technology was developed to improve flight duration and fuel efficiency. Through this integration, Airbility aims to dramatically improve the performance of its existing eVTOL UAV platforms. In particular, the company will focus on enhancing operational efficiency in long-range missions and heavy cargo transport, while also ensuring a stable power supply system in emergency situations.
Hyunsoon Kim, CTO of Airbility, stated, “This technology transfer has laid a strong foundation for the development of an efficient hybrid power system,” adding, “We will focus on advancing and commercializing hybrid technology to overcome the limitations of traditional electric propulsion systems and develop customized solutions that can be applied across various industrial sectors.”
Meanwhile, Airbility intends to further strengthen its position in the global advanced air mobility market through this technology acquisition. The company plans to build a lineup of hybrid UAVs optimized for various mission environments and solidify its technological leadership in the global market.
Airbility, a company developing both manned and unmanned eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft based on electric tilt fan-jet technology, plans to utilize this newly introduced technology to extend the flight time of its medium-sized UAVs and significantly enhance their performance in diverse mission environments.
The 7kW-class hybrid power system included in this transfer combines traditional internal combustion engine power with an electric propulsion system. The technology was developed to improve flight duration and fuel efficiency. Through this integration, Airbility aims to dramatically improve the performance of its existing eVTOL UAV platforms. In particular, the company will focus on enhancing operational efficiency in long-range missions and heavy cargo transport, while also ensuring a stable power supply system in emergency situations.
Hyunsoon Kim, CTO of Airbility, stated, “This technology transfer has laid a strong foundation for the development of an efficient hybrid power system,” adding, “We will focus on advancing and commercializing hybrid technology to overcome the limitations of traditional electric propulsion systems and develop customized solutions that can be applied across various industrial sectors.”
Meanwhile, Airbility intends to further strengthen its position in the global advanced air mobility market through this technology acquisition. The company plans to build a lineup of hybrid UAVs optimized for various mission environments and solidify its technological leadership in the global market.
