FineVT Robotics LAB successfully conducted maritime takeoff and landing test flights of the FFW-040 Hybrid VTOL aircraft from the Korean Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries’ research icebreaker, Araon, in international waters near Dokdo.
The FFW-040-KOPRI Hybrid VTOL is currently deployed as an onboard aerial platform aboard Araon, which operates in both the Arctic and Antarctic regions, as well as at the King Sejong Station in Antarctica. Supplied by FineVT Robotics LAB, the platform supports scientific missions under extreme polar conditions. Notably, it enables secure, stable BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) flights over distances exceeding 100 km, powered by quantum random number generator (QRNG)-based KCMVP encryption technology.
The system features a ROS 2-based DDS communication architecture that supports MUM-T (Manned-Unmanned Teaming) operations and ensures full interoperability with global scientific research systems. This capability allows seamless integration into international scientific missions and enhances the operational flexibility and resilience of polar exploration activities.
