KIPCO Aerospace
South Korean defense and aerospace company that manufactures radar, electro-optical tracking (EOTS), satellite communications and cooling systems, and is developing the ATHENA counter-drone system featuring a metal 3D-printed gyroid/PCM laser-weapon cooling device.
- CEO / Founder
- Jung Kyung-an (정경안)
- Team Size
- 201-500
- Stage
- Growth Stage
- Total Funding
- $14.2M
- Latest Round
- Pre-Seed
- Key Investors
- LB Investment; Shinhan Venture Investment; Won Asset Management (원자산운용); LF Investment
Technology & Products
Key Products
Electro-optical tracking systems (EOTS); radar systems and radar cooling systems; satellite communication equipment (Ka-Band SSPA modules); anti-drone jammers (EW systems); defense interceptor drones; high-power laser anti-air weapon cooling systems; the ATHENA integrated counter-UAS solution (detection via EOTS/RF scanner, soft-kill jamming, hard-kill interceptor drones and high-power lasers).
Technological Advantage
Registered patent for a metal LPBF 3D-printed cooling structure combining a gyroid heat-exchange geometry with phase-change material (PCM); aluminum-alloy housing and internal heat-exchange structure printed as one integrated part to eliminate assembly joints and reduce leakage risk. The gyroid geometry increases heat-exchange surface area per unit volume and cannot be produced by conventional machining. PCM is dual-sealed (O-ring + laser welding) with allowance for >10% volumetric expansion on melting.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Supplies domestically-developed core defense electronics components (EOTS, radar, satellite comms, thermal management) to major Korean weapons programs, and is extending its cooling technology into high-power laser weapon and counter-drone applications.
How They Differentiate
Combines electro-optics, radar and satellite communications under one roof, and integrates additive-manufactured thermal management (gyroid + PCM) into mobile laser-weapon and counter-drone platforms, addressing size/weight constraints that limit conventional cooling systems.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Korean defense prime contractors and government/military programs (Hanwha Systems, LIG Nex1, ADD, etc.); expanding toward global defense markets.
Industry Verticals
Aerospace/Defense; Military surveillance and protection; Counter-UAS / anti-drone; Satellite communications
Competitors
Hanwha Systems and LIG Nex1 (Korean defense electronics, radar, laser weapons, EOTS); CoTS Technology (코츠테크놀로지) and Victek (빅텍) as listed defense-electronics peers; Sensorway, RFOn and SYSRAIN in anti-drone jamming.
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
2024 revenue KRW 61.2B, operating profit KRW 6.0B (9.8% margin); 2025 revenue ~KRW 70B; 2026 revenue target KRW 83B; 2028 target KRW 140B. ~247 employees (National Pension data). Pre-IPO valuation ~KRW 100B.
Major Milestones
Founded 2004 (originating from Kukil Precision, 1989); renamed KIPCO Electronics & Aerospace 2014; acquired K-Tel 2012, Fromto Information & Communication 2017, KIPCO Radar 2023, Zeronics 2024; established Radar Cooling Research Institute (2023) and Seoul/Suwon research institutes (2024); MOU with TAT-Technologies (Dec 2025); Pre-IPO funding and KOSDAQ IPO target 2026; registered metal 3D-printed gyroid/PCM laser cooling patent (Oct 2026).
Notable Customers
Korean defense programs including K2 tank, Biho Hybrid 2, L-SAM, KF-21 (via prime contractors such as Hanwha Systems); Agency for Defense Development (ADD).