Final assembly of the first Korea Aerospace Industries KF-X fighter has commenced in Sacheon, South Korea.
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South Korea embarks on final assembly of KF-X prototype
By
Greg Waldron3 September 2020
Final assembly of the first Korea Aerospace Industries KF-X fighter has commenced in Sacheon, South Korea.
The process will see the aircraft’s fuselage sections and wings joined, says South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration.
Source: Greg Waldron
KAI displayed a full-sized mock-up of the developmental KF-X at Seoul ADEX in October, 2019
A ceremony planned to mark the occasion was cancelled, however, owing to the coronavirus outbreak.
Despite the pandemic, South Korea has pressed ahead with KF-X work. In early August the production prototype of the aircraft’s indigenous active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, which is produced by Hanwha Systems, was revealed.
In July, KAI revealed the first fuselage of the first KF-X, while in June GE Aviation delivered the first F414 engine for the twin-engined jet. GE will deliver 15 additional F414s to power the programmes six prototypes, of which one example will go to programme partner Indonesia.
Ultimately, Hanwha Aerospace will license produce the F414 locally.
The first prototype is due to be rolled out in April 2021, with test flights starting in 2022 and running to 2026. Mass production will commence in 2028, but the aircraft will have limited weapons capability.
Source: Greg Waldron
The new KF-X will replace South Korea’s fleet of McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantoms
Series production jets produced from 2029 onwards will be able to use the full range of air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles.
At least 120 examples are expected to replace the Republic of Korea Air Force’s (ROKAF) fleet of ageing McDonnell Douglas F-4D/E Phantom IIs and Northrop F-5E/F Tiger IIs. Indonesia appears likely obtain 48 examples of the IF-X variant, with an initial order of 16, and 32 to follow depending on finances.