Korea has developed a high-speed unmanned aircraft that can take off and land vertically like a helicopter.

The Korea Aerospace Research Institute announced the successful trial flight of a 40 percent scale model of the so-called "smart" aircraft. The test flight was held Thursday at the institute's aviation center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province.

Researchers say the successful trial means Korea can now develop high-speed tilt rotor aircraft for vertical takeoff and landing. They said this would make the nation second only to the U.S. in development of such technology.

The plane is well suited to the nation's mountainous topography which provides little room for runways. It is expected to be used in weather forecasting and fire watches in the mountains.