Report: S. Korea mulls unmanned 'copters

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SEOUL, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- South Korea may develop unmanned attack helicopters that could hit North Korea border bases to deter nuclear threats, a military source told Yonhap.

South Korea decided to enhance its defense and combat capabilities after North Korea warned it may conduct a third nuclear test in response to United Nations sanctions, the South Korean news agency reported.

The South Korean source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said defense officials are considering using unmanned helicopters to attack North Korean bases near the border of the two countries.

By removing the need for a human pilot and unnecessary equipment, the craft could fly faster, the source said.

The Defense Ministry said in a release it was reviewing whether helicopter bombers or older 500 MD helicopters could be modified with an unmanned aviation system, global positioning systems and radar.