The Korea Automobile Research Institute (KARI) is expected to secure advanced testing infrastructure for future aviation mobility, fostering a future aviation mobility industry ecosystem and strengthening global technological competitiveness.

On the 6th, Hanjayeon, together with the Korea Aerospace Industries, South Chungcheong Province, and Seosan City, broke ground on the 'Green UAM-AAV Core Component Testing and Evaluation Center,' a key infrastructure for the eco-friendly future air mobility (AAM) industry, in the Seosan Bio-Wellness Special Zone in Galma-ri, Buseok-myeon, Seosan-si, Chungcheongnam-do.

The event was attended by approximately 300 people, including Jin Jong-wook, President of Hanjayeon, Jeon Hyeong-sik, Vice Governor of South Chungcheong Province, Noh Kyung-won, Vice Minister of the Korea Aerospace Industries, National Assembly Member Seong Il-jong, Seosan Mayor Lee Wan-seop, and Hanseo University President Ham Ki-seon, as well as officials from the aviation industry, including Hyundai Motor Company and Hanwha Aerospace, and local residents.

This test and evaluation center was selected for the 2024 National Aeronautics and Space Administration's 'Green UAM-AAV Core Component Test and Evaluation Infrastructure Construction' public offering project, and its purpose is to establish an advanced test infrastructure capable of evaluating the performance, safety, and reliability of hydrogen-powered future aircraft (AAV) and core components.

The center is slated for completion in the second half of 2026, with a total area of 22,588 square meters. It will be built on a site with a total floor area of 2,915㎡, and will include five test buildings, including a complex test building, a flight performance test building, and a hydrogen test building, as well as one vertiport and two mooring areas.

Additionally, a total of six types of high-performance testing equipment, including outdoor takeoff and landing environment evaluation equipment, hydrogen fuel cell stack evaluation equipment, and electric engine evaluation equipment, are scheduled to be introduced.

President Jin Jong-wook stated, “Future aviation mobility is a key technology that will revolutionize urban structures and industrial ecosystems and advance toward a carbon-neutral society.” He added, “Through the Seosan Test and Evaluation Center, we will foster an industrial ecosystem where regions, companies, and institutions can collaborate, and bring forward an era of aviation mobility that the public can use with confidence.”