Boeing said on December 13 that it demonstrated an unmanned Little Bird helicopter for the Republic of Korea Army. The MD 500 variant flew for about 25 minutes at the army’s aviation school in Nonsan, South Korea.

“The demonstration showcased proven pilotless capabilities available for integration onto rotorcraft to support intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, resupply and other missions,” Boeing said.

Korean Air supported transportation of the aircraft for the demonstration. The Korea Air Aerospace Division assembled South Korean army MD 500s from 1976 to 1987 under license from Hughes Helicopters and McDonnell Douglas, now part of Boeing.