Engine Defects Found in Military's Next-Generation 'Mir-on' Attack Helicopter; Flights Suspended

Flights of the South Korean military's domestically produced 'Mir-on' light armed helicopter have been suspended following the discovery of engine defects.
According to the office of Representative Kang Sun-young of the National Assembly's National Defense Committee, corrosion was found in 47 out of 57 engines for the Mir-on helicopter assembled and supplied by Hanwha Aerospace, with cracks identified in 38 of them.
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) reportedly identified the engine issues in April and issued a flight suspension order for the deployed aircraft last month.
The Mir-on engine is based on original technology from the French company Safran, and Hanwha Aerospace assembles and supplies the engines domestically.
The defects occurred in components responsible for stabilizing airflow within the engine. Possibilities being raised include the potential for cracks caused by the impact of using rubber mallets during the assembly process.
The Mir-on is a domestically produced helicopter introduced to replace aging attack helicopters, and the military plans to deploy approximately 160 units by 2031.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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