Korean KF-X Fighter Program

SanjeevM

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GE is offering to sell them engine and later co-develop the engine with SK. Did they offer such co-development offer to Tejas?
 

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sputniknews.com
South Korea Launches Corruption Investigation Into F-35, KF-X Deals
Sputnik
4-5 minutes
Asia & Pacific
03:44 25.07.2017(updated 10:36 25.07.2017) Get short URL

South Korean officials have opened an investigation into defense acquisition contracts for F-35 and KF-X aircraft pushed for by former President Park Geun-hye, who was sentenced to prison in March for abusing the power of her office, bribery, coercion and leaking classified information.

Defense Acquisition Program Administrator (DAPA) head Chang Myoung-jin has become the subject of a criminal investigation stemming from concerns of negligence and corruption, the Korea Times reported Monday. Chang was tapped by Park for his post shortly before Lockheed Martin and Seoul agreed to the F-35 deal worth at least $7 billion.

South Korea agreed to acquire 40 F-35A conventional take-off and landing aircraft on September 30, 2014. Washington signed off on the program to help its ally retire a fleet of outdated F-4 and F-5 aircraft.

One motivation for initiating the investigation stemmed from Washington bailing on its part of the F-35 deal. South Korean lawmakers wanted new aircraft to supplement its fleet while it worked on building an indigenous "4.5" generation aircraft. According to the Korea Times, Lockheed Martin said it would lend Seoul four key technologies from the F-35 — the active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, infrared searching and tracking, the electronic optics targeting pod, and the radio frequency jammer — in exchange for procuring fifth-generation joint strike fighters instead of Boeing F-15SEs.

The Washington security establishment soured on the deal and never transferred the technology plans, citing national interest concerns. DAPA originally recommended acquiring F-15 aircraft. But shortly before the F-35 announcement, ex-National Security Officer and then-Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin, a Park confidante, reportedly told advisors "we need to make a political decision."

The investigation team consisting of more than 100 prosecutorial personnel now interprets the “political decision” as a nudge from Park to choose the F-35s, the Korea Times noted. Without the technologies from Lockheed, the country’s effort to develop and field a South Korean-made fighter by 2026 has been significantly hampered. The project to develop the new generation of jets also received approximately $7.6 billion in government funding.

DAPA promised to create the technologies domestically for the KF-X they were supposed to receive from the US.

Chinese state media outlet Xinhua reported in November that effective lobbying by Lockheed Martin spurred an “abruptly announced” decision to deploy controversial Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile batteries in South Korea. South Korean lawmaker Kim Jong-dae declared at the time, “If [Lockheed Martin] manages to accomplish the THAAD deployment by lobbying anyone possible, the rest is offered automatically." In conjunction with THAAD, Kim hypothesized that Lockheed-made Aegis-class ships, Patriot missiles, and F-35s would also be delivered to Seoul. "And you can easily guess who sits in the palm of Lockheed Martin’s hand," Kim said.

© REUTERS/ U.S. Department of Defense, Missile Defense Agency/Handout

“There have been a number of suspicions over the Park government's decision to change the model for the nation's next generation fighters from Boeing's F-15SE to Lockheed Martin's F-35,” lawmaker Hong Ihk-pyo said on July 18, adding that “thorough investigations are surely necessary.” The representative also questioned the viability of the program to build a domestically produced 4.5 generation jet.

A different lawmaker, An Min-suk, charged Lockheed with sending Park’s government bonuses in exchange for beneficial treatment during acquisitions decisions, the Korea Times report noted. Former National Security Officer — and close friend of Park — Choi Soon-sil was arrested when Park went down and is being included as a person of interest in the new probe. Lockheed Martin has denied charges that it received business favors as a result of Choi’s assistance.
 
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Khagesh

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According to the Korea Times, Lockheed Martin said it would lend Seoul four key technologies from the F-35 — the active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, infrared searching and tracking, the electronic optics targeting pod, and the radio frequency jammer — in exchange for procuring fifth-generation joint strike fighters instead of Boeing F-15SEs.

The Washington security establishment soured on the deal and never transferred the technology plans, citing national interest concerns.

Without the technologies from Lockheed, the country’s effort to develop and field a South Korean-made fighter by 2026 has been significantly hampered. The project to develop the new generation of jets also received approximately $7.6 billion in government funding.

Wow! South Koreans put in $7.6 billion funding when they were not even developing the AESA, IRST, Targeting and Jamming.

Lets see what Modi ji puts in for AMCA.

This is a collector's article. I am damn sure that the Deshbhakt people of India will not allow AMCA to be developed properly and AMCA will end up just like LCA. These Desh bhakt are only setting us up for a long long period of ToT and technology demonstration. This article will come in handy to beat these Deshbhakta's with.
 

kunal1123

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Wow! South Koreans put in $7.6 billion funding when they were not even developing the AESA, IRST, Targeting and Jamming.

Lets see what Modi ji puts in for AMCA.

This is a collector's article. I am damn sure that the Deshbhakt people of India will not allow AMCA to be developed properly and AMCA will end up just like LCA. These Desh bhakt are only setting us up for a long long period of ToT and technology demonstration. This article will come in handy to beat these Deshbhakta's with.
that was support to provided (on expense to buy f-35 from USA) but they latter cancel the transfer now they are try to get from other(preferbly 2052 radar or derivative (not know much but largely true) that 7.5 billion is expected figure and the cost in SK is much higher compare to India due to it's nature and Indian generally underfunded project due to our economy ,but one thing for sure if AMCA Start (prototype) then it's not going to end like LCA but it has to start(prototype) all currently what we are doing is making necessary requirement that we have learned from lca/not done in lca.
so chill i am not sure about whom u referring to "DESHBHAKT" but i am sure the one who can hamper is not going to come in picture for quite a time ..............
 
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kunal1123

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janes.com
Lighting up the KF-X [DSEI17D1]
2 minutes
Oxley Group (Stand S3-330) has been selected by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) to develop the full external lighting system on the new KF-X/IF-X advanced multirole fighter for the Republic of Korea Air Force and Indonesian Air Force.

As part of the development contract, Oxley will supply what it describes as a groundbreaking external LED lighting system, which includes the landing light, taxi light, refuelling lights, formation lights, wingtip lights, and an intelligent lighting controller. The system provides complete integration into the pilot’s multifunctional display.

The suite will be designed specifically for the new jets and Oxley says the lights will outperform existing technology.

Oxley technical director Darren Cavan explained: ‘‘The comprehensive technical development process will cover design, prototyping, testing and manufacture, and be completed by a dedicated project team of mechanical, optical, electronics and software engineers at the Priory Park site in Cumbria. As part of the development, smart technology will be integrated into the lights.’’



(156 words)
 

kunal1123

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flightglobal.com
ADEX: KF-X advances, as detailed design beckons
2-3 minutes


The final design of the Korea Aerospace Industries KF-X fighter is expected in June 2018, at which point detailed design will commence.

The detailed design phase for the twin-engined type will run until late 2019, at which point the production of prototypes will commence, says an official familiar with the programme.

A first flight is planned in the middle part of 2022, with testing and evaluation to run until 2026.

The KF-X will have both single and two-seat versions, and be powered by two General Electric F414 engines.

At present, the design is undergoing wind tunnel tests and computational fluid dynamic analysis.

The official adds that Indonesia, which is undertaking 20% of development costs, obtained export licences from the US government in April 2017. Indonesian Aerospace has over 80 staff working on the programme, along with staff from Lockheed Martin and KAI. Jakarta's variant, of which it will obtain about 80 examples, is referred to as the IF-X.

"At this point, there is almost now difference between KF-X and IF-X shapes," says the official.

Still, the South Korean and Indonesian examples are likely to be different. Previously, officials have said that a Block I configuration without stealth coatings and the ability to carry weapons internally will go to Indonesia. South Korea will have a Block II aircraft, with stealth coatings and weapons bays.

Seoul will also develop indigenous capabilities in key areas where it failed to obtain export licences from the US, an early stumbling block for the programme. These include the jet's active electronically scanned array (AESA), which will be developed with Israeli assistance, infrared search & track (IRST), electro-optical targeting, and the aircraft's electronic warfare suite.

Seoul plans to obtain 80 IF-X fighters, while Seoul plans to obtain 120 examples of KF-X.
 

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airforce-technology.com
Cobham to deliver antenna suite for KAI’s KF-X fighter
2-3 minutes


Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) has contracted Cobham Antenna Systems to provide antenna suite for the future Korean Fighter Experimental (KF-X) multi-role fighter aircraft.

The contract requires the company to design and deliver a fully conformal antenna suite for KF-X to KAI.

The KF-X conformal antenna suite has been designed to provide a full range of communication, navigation and identification (CNI) functionality for the aircraft in a configuration that reduces drag and life-cycle repair costs, while improving aerodynamics.

Cobham Antenna Systems general manager, vice-president David Bulley said: “Cobham is an established market leader in conformal antenna technology and provides platforms with bespoke communications, navigations and identification antennas, which deliver high performance and reliability.

“The KFX programme is strategically important and this award allows Cobham Antenna Systems to continue to lead the market in the design and supply of airborne antennas and systems for next-generation fighter platforms.”

Earlier in August, Cobham was contracted to supply an undisclosed number of missile eject launcher (MEL) units for KF-X by the end of 2020.

"This award allows Cobham Antenna Systems to continue to lead the market in the design and supply of airborne antennas and systems for next-generation fighter platforms."

The MEL is designed to carry and release air-to-air missiles from fighter aircraft.

Expected to enter service by 2025, the KF-X is intended to replace the Republic of Korea Air Force’s current F-4 and F-5 fleet.

Under a contract signed between South Korean Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) and KAI, the KF-X is being developed indigenously with technological assistance from Lockheed Martin.

The contract will see KAI develop six test planes and complete system developments for the jets by June 2026.

Image: The KF-X conformal antenna suite has been designed to provide a full range of communication, navigation and identification (CNI) functionality. Photo: courtesy of Cobham plc.
 

kunal1123

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Indonesia Factor May Postpone KF-X Project



Indonesia has failed to pay its annual share of expenses for a joint project with South Korea to develop high-tech fighter jets, an opposition lawmaker claimed Wednesday.

The claim prompted concerns the project, dubbed KF-X, could be suspended.

Rep. Kim Jong-dae of the Justice Party, a member of the National Assembly Defense Committee, said Indonesia's state-run defense firm PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI), a participant in the project, has yet to pay this year's remaining allotted 138.9 billion won ($124.5 million) to Seoul as of the end of October, based on a document from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).

"If Indonesia does not pay in time, the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has to shoulder the burden of 40 percent of the development costs," Kim said. "Coupled with the current issue of the company being financially strapped, the KF-X project could easily be put in danger."

KAI is the nation's sole aircraft manufacturer that signed the KF-X contract with DAPA.

Seoul launched the KF-X project in 2015 to build its own 4.5-generation fighters to replace the Air Force's aging fleet of F-4s and F-5s by 2026.

PTDI signed an agreement with KAI in January 2016 to foot 20 percent of the cost in the development of the program, while KAI pays 20 percent and the South Korean government pays the remaining 60 percent of the 7.5 trillion won for the program.

Due to the form of agreement, the KAI faces a burden when payments from PTDI are delayed, Kim said.
 

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Saab to Support S Korean KF-X Fighter Jet’s AESA Radar Development
Our Bureau
12:07 PM, December 23, 2017
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KF-X fighter jet illustration by South Korean Air Force
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Saab has received an order for support of algorithm development and evaluation of airborne AESA radar for South Korea’s indigenous KF-X fighter jet.

The radar development programme is led by the Korean Agency for Defence Development (ADD) and Saab will work in cooperation with ADD and its contractual partner LIG Nex1. The order value is MSEK 125 (US$25 million).

The Republic of Korea has a long-term ambition to develop a domestic fighter aircraft, including relevant avionic equipment such as AESA radar. For Saab, the present contract is an important milestone, and shows that Saab is an important partner in the longer term for Republic of Korean authorities and industry.

“We are proud to be part of the airborne AESA radar development program. This further proves our position as the leading provider and partner to develop the latest fighter aircraft technology and sub systems”, says Anders Carp, head of Saab’s business area Surveillance. “One of our objectives is to partner with Republic of Korean industry and government to support the development of a domestic fighter”.

LIG Nex1 Co. Ltd. is based in Seoul and develops and produces a wide range of advanced precision electronic systems.

Seoul was developing its locally-made fighter jet, initially named as KF-X, with support from Lockheed Martin but the US government denied it four critical technologies including that of the AESA radar. The AAD then vowed to develop the technologies on its own.

South Korea has roped in Indonesia as a partner in the KF-X fighter jet program in which the latter is to fund a part of the program in exchange for the rights to manufacture some of the aircraft.

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Indonesia wants to renegotiate KFX fighter project
Jon Grevatt, Bangkok - IHS Jane's Defence Industry
01 May 2018
Indonesia is looking to renegotiate the financial agreement through which it is participating in a programme with South Korea to develop the Korean Fighter Xperiment/Indonesia Fighter Xperiment (KFX/IFX) aircraft.

Brigadier General Totok Sugiharto, official spokesman of the Indonesian Ministry of Defence (MoD), said in comments published by the state-run Antara news agency on 1 May that the renegotiation is necessary to review the technological benefits that Indonesia is attaining through the programme.

Indonesia is looking to renegotiate the financial agreement for its participation in the KFX/IFX aircraft development programme. (IHS Markit/Patrick Allen)

He also confirmed Indonesia’s access to related technologies had been restricted due to export controls applied by the US government.

“The renegotiation is necessary to make clear Indonesia’s gain from the programme [because] the project is financed with funds from the state budget,” Brig Gen Sugiharto said. Commenting on US restrictions, he added, “There is equipment that should not be given to us.”

Despite the barriers, Brig Gen Sugiharto said he expected the joint programme to continue.

Under a finance agreement signed by the governments of Indonesia and South Korea in 2015, Indonesia is committed to pay for 20% of the total development costs of the KFX/IFX, which are estimated at about USD8 billion. The South Korean government will pay for 60% of the development programme, with prime contractor Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) covering 20%.

In return for its investment, Indonesia has joint developer status on the programme and has integrated engineers from its state-owned aerospace company, PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI), into the project in South Korea.

The KFX/IFX project envisages the production of six fighter aircraft prototypes by 2021, followed by four years of trials and the completion of development by mid-2026
 

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Asia Pacific

Is South Korea’s future fighter jet partnership with Indonesia falling apart?
By: Jeff Jeong   May 7
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KF-X fighter jet development partnership between South Korea and Indonesia is in tatters, according to defense sources in South Korea and Indonesian media reports.

Indonesia is said to have complaints about its contracts with South Korea over technical benefits and export license of the fighter, dubbed IF-X in Indonesia.

Indonesia, which is a key arms export partner with South Korea, is the sole foreign partner to fund 20 percent of the $7.5 billion KF-X project.

On May 1, Indonesia’s Antara news agency reported the Indonesian Defence Ministry is renegotiating the joint fighter development program.


“The renegotiation is necessary to make clear Indonesia’s gain from the program, as the project would financed with fund from the state budget,” ministerial spokesman Brig. Gen. Totok Sugiharto was quoted as saying.

Totok said Indonesia may neither sell the IF-X aircraft to other countries nor locally produce some components due to contract restrictions.


South Korea’s F-35 purchase under probe
The contract for 40 F-35As signed under the former Park Geun-hye administration has been under intensive investigation with regard to possible influence-peddling over the Lockheed Martin-built fighter’s selection process and price lobbying.

By: Jeff Jeong
He added his country sees no future for cooperation, partly due to U.S. intervention that is restricting research that would help produce the aircraft, according to the news agency. He did note, however, that he hopes the joint program will continue.

Earlier, the prospect of Jakarta’s termination of the IF-X participation rose after the Indonesian government failed to pay some $130 million of its contribution, which was due in December. About 80 Indonesian workers taking part in IF-X development and production returned home earlier this year, stoking speculation that something was awry.

An engineer with Korea Aerospace Industries, or KAI, said Indonesian engineers dispatched to South Korea had difficulty studying and researching key KF-X technologies.

“Frankly, the Indonesian delegation was restricted from accessing many part of KF-X technologies and studies, particularly from the ones regarding the U.S.,” the engineer told Defense News, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Given Indonesia foots one-fifth of the KF-X development costs, it was reasonable in some sense that Indonesian engineers could feel cramped about technical advantages through the joint program.”

The KF-X fighter program, also funded by the South Korean government and KAI, involves integration of key U.S. advanced technologies, including engines, armament, flight control systems and others, according to the engineer.

In January, a delegation of the U.S. Defense Technology Security Administration visited South Korea‘s Agency for Defense Development and KAI to review KF-X technology transfer issues, according to the engineer.

“It was true that U.S. engineers dispatched to the KAI headquarters were sensitive about a possible leakage of U.S. technologies to Indonesian workers,” he added.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration, or DAPA, denied speculation that the KF-X partnership with Indonesia is in trouble.

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“Despite media reports about KF-X troubles, Indonesia has not notified us of any issue with renegotiation or termination of the KF-X cooperation,” DAPA spokesman Kang Hwan-seok said. “We were told that the Indonesian government awaits parliamentary approval of paying unpaid development costs."

Indonesian Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu also dispelled worries about a possible breakup of the KF-X collaboration.

Ryamizard was quoted by Antara as saying on May 4 during a meeting with local reporters at a marine camp that the joint fighter development program will continue, citing Indonesia’s investment of some 3 trillion rupiah (U.S. $215 million) to this day.

But Ryamizard admitted there are some differences between Jakarta and Seoul over the IF-X tech transfer, stressing Indonesia should have rights to sell IF-X fighters to other countries, according to the news agency.

Under a 2016 deal, Indonesia joined hands with South Korea to develop a 4.5-generation fighter aircraft with the investment of about $1.3 billion by PT Dirgantara Indonesia. Six prototypes are to be built, with the first test flight due in 2022. Final development is expected to be completed by 2026 to replace the South Korean Air Force’s older fleet of F-4s and F-5s. Indonesia needs at least 50 IF-Xs to come off its final assembly production lines in Indonesia.

In spite of both governments’ efforts to calm the KF-X partnership controversy, experts in Seoul anticipate more disputes.

“If Indonesia insists renegotiation to sell IF-X jets to other countries, the South Korean government would jib at the demand because even South Korea might have some difficulties selling the KF-X affected by the U.S. technology-protection policy,” said Kim Dae-young, a research fellow of the Seoul-based Institute for National Security Strategy.

“For Jakarta, geopolitical factors could be an obstacle to continuing the joint program,” the researcher said, referring to Indonesia’s long-standing military-technical relations with Russia. Last year, Indonesia decided to procure 11 Russian-made Su-35 multirole fighter aircraft to be delivered this year.

One KAI engineer expressed concern that Indonesia’s possible pullout from the joint program as a partner that bears some development costs ”could erode momentum for the fighter development project. It also could cause problems in securing additional budget.”

Email: [email protected]
 

Sancho

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South Korea plans to complete a design process for its own fighter aircraft by September next year and produce the first prototype in 2021

 

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KFX/IFX Fighter Aircraft development reaches 20 percent
antaranews.com
4-5 minutes
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The development of fighter aircraft 4.5 generation, Korean Fighter Xperiment/Indonesia Fighter Xperiment (KFX/IFX) under cooperation of Indonesia and South Korea which was established since 2011, has been reaching 20 percent.

"Until now the development process has been reaching 20 percent. There are three stages we need to pass, namely technology development, EMD (engineering and manufacturing development), and prototyping," Director of Technology and Development of PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI) Air Marshal Gita Amperiawan said at a press conference here on Thursday.

According to him, after the G to G cooperation project has been running for seven years, the preliminary design review phase has completed to ensure the configuration of the KFX/IFX fighter aircraft has met the operational requirements of the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) and the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF).

"Today we are socializing to all stakeholders, including the Ministry of Defense, Coordinating Ministry for Politics of Law and Human Rights about the development progress of the engineering manufacturing development phase," Gita said.

He further said, after the preliminary design was completed, the two countries will develop the prototype of the fighter.

This fighter aircraft is expected to be mass produced in 2026 after passing flight tests and certifications.

"We have passed the technology development phase and EMP. The details of the design are expected to complete around July or August 2019, and we will begin prototyping, testing and certification processes," he noted.

Gita added that the Indonesian and South Korean governments accommodate common requirements that the prototyping should accommodate the interests of the Indonesian Air Force.

There will be 168 units of aircraft to be produced. South Korea will receive 120 aircraft while Indonesia will get 48 units.

"We contribute 20 percent in each phase according to the agreement," he said.

At the same occasion, Chairman of PT DI`s KFX / IFX Program Heri Yansyah said the Indonesian aircraft industry PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI) and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) are just system integrators in the development of KFX / IFX aircraft.

"So, all components will be produced by other parties including engines and avionics. The navigation is produced by other parties that will be integrated into this aircraft. We also have plans on how aircraft technology can be built by Indonesia`s local industries, such as PT Pindad," he said.

According to Heri, Pindad, which is the Indonesian state-owned enterprise specialization in military and commercial products, could make weapon system for this generation 4.5 fighter.

"The weapons can be produced by Pindad. We also build technologies, such as data links, weapon integration, and radar. These are our works that we call strategic investment. We will figure out how to produce fighter aircraft in the country because it relates to our independence," Heri said.

The KFX/IFX fighter is a generation 4.5 of semi-stealth multi-role aircraft developed by Indonesia and South Korea. This fighter aircraft is designed to replace ROFKA and Indonesian Air Force`s fighter jets.

Some of the advantages of KFX / IFX fighter include semi-stealth, and have semi conformal missile launchers, advanced avionics and air refueling.

In a memorandum of understanding signed by the two countries, Indonesia covers 20 percent the total cost of the fighter development program, while South Korea bears 80 percent of it.
 

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South Korea begins building prototype of next-generation fighter aircraft
Feb 15, 2019
in Aviation, News



Korea Aerospace Industries, or KAI, is starting production on the first prototype of a next-generation fighter jet.

On 14 February, South Korea’s biggest aerospace company held a ceremony in order to celebrate the start producing of the first bulkhead, which is the main part of the forward fuselage of the next-generation Korean Fighter Xperiment (KFX) aircraft.

“A bulkhead is a structure that is designed to prevent an aircraft from being deformed due to pressure generated by high-speed flights”, the aerospace company announced Thursday.

A KAI representative said that the first prototype of the KF-X advanced multirole fighter aircraft, so-called 4.5-generation fighter, will be finished in April 2021.

Currently, KAI has completed 15 percent of the total design drawing for KF-X and will complete more than 80 percent after September when a detailed design review is completed. KF-X passed a system requirement review and a system function review in 2016. System development for the aircraft started in December 2015.


The KF-X program aims for production around 120 advanced fighter jets to replace the Air Force’s aging F-4 and F-5 combat aircraft.

The KF-X project is expected to play an important role in revving up the Korean aviation industry in terms of technology accumulation and job creation.

The KF-X project currently involves a total of 112 institutions — 16 domestic universities, 11 research institutes and 85 companies. When the development of the prototype gets in full swing, an additional 35 institutions will join the project.
한국형 전투기 개발 '착착'…KF-X 시제기 첫 부품 가공 / 연합뉴스 (Yonhapnews)
Tags: South Korea
 

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