In a bold step toward the future of aerial combat, South Korea has conducted military exercises showcasing an innovative tactic: launching a kamikaze FPV drone directly from a KUH-1 Surion helicopter mid-flight to intercept enemy drones.
The exercise, held on August 5, 2025, wasn’t science fiction — it was a real-world test of how flexible and lethal modern drone warfare can become. During the test, a small, agile, explosives-equipped FPV drone was deployed from the helicopter and remotely guided toward its target: an RC-MAT drone simulating an enemy UAV.
The operation was conducted by the Republic of Korea Army’s 2nd Operational Command, which reported that the goal was to assess the effectiveness of airborne drone deployment and its tactical value in targeting aerial threats.
According to Staff Sergeant Kim Tae-hoon of the 50th Infantry Division, who operated the drone:
“We successfully hit the target using an FPV kamikaze drone launched from a Surion. If we develop warheads specifically tailored for FPV drones in the future, we believe the mission success rate will increase even further.”
Originally built for civilian and racing purposes, FPV (First-Person View) drones are now being repurposed for military use — particularly for intercepting enemy drones. Their speed, maneuverability, and compact size make them ideal tools in modern, fast-paced drone warfare.
For South Korea’s military, this wasn’t just a demonstration — it was a glimpse into the evolving battlefield, where small, smart, and agile technology might just be the key to winning the skies.
