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If this goes through it will likely require internal weapon bays and integration of UAE made munitions.


Abu Dhabi’s cooperation with Seoul over the South Korean fifth-generation fighter program KF-X is reported to have been constantly under discussion between the two countries’ defense ministries.

The file is said to be directly followed up by UAE President Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and is expected to be on the discussion table during any upcoming meeting with officials from the South Korean Ministry of National Defense.

UAE has already bought 80 Rafale. I believe UAE will not buy KF21 this decade (if the program is successful). UAE will likely target KF21 Block 3 and possible further block for their future fully fifth generation fighters ( by dumping F35 from previous plan ).
 
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UAE has already bought 80 Rafale. I believe UAE will not buy KF21 this decade (if the program is successful). UAE will likely target KF21 Block 3 and possible further block for their future fully fifth generation fighters ( by dumping F35 from previous plan ).
It will replace the F-16s if they buy it, but as I said it has to be a lot more advanced than Block 60s for them to even think about purchasing it.

It would be closer to the F-35ish variant than the current one.
 

Korea's New Hunting Hawk KF-21 Readies for First Flight​


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February 12, 2022

This year will likely prove critical for the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) KF-21 Boramae, Korea’s new indigenous fighter, as its manufacturer prepares for a maiden flight scheduled for July. The KF-21 is KAI’s most advanced aircraft program to date, and although the Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) classes the KF-21 as a 4.5-generation fighter because it lacks internal weapons carriage, it reportedly plans a more stealthy variant.

Despite its lack of true low-observable capability, many analysts believe that the KF-21 will enjoy a very low frontal radar cross-section and good electronic warfare capabilities, ensuring a high level of survivability. It also will likely fly higher and faster than the F-35, while carrying a formidable weapons load, particularly for air-to-air missions.

The KF-21 Boramae—whose name derives from the historical term describing one-year-old hunting hawks specifically trained for traditional falconry—is the product of an extremely ambitious program that aims to produce an aircraft that will form the future backbone of the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) and, indeed, of the Indonesian air force (TNI-AU). The program involves a joint venture between South Korea and Indonesia, with an 80:20 split between Seoul and Jakarta.

In April 2021 the KF-21 prototype rolled out at the KAI factory in Sacheon, and the six flying prototypes—including two two-seat trainers, the first of them being aircraft number 4—and two non-flying test articles have undergone rigorous ground testing since then. Pilot evaluation and interior and exterior lighting ground tests took place using the third prototype.

Plans call for testing to last until about 2026, after which mass production of the KF-21 will begin. The program aims to deploy 40 aircraft by 2028 and 120 by 2032. The new fighter initially would replace South Korea's F-4Es and F-5Es and it could also eventually replace the ROKAF's fourth-generation F-16s and F-15Ks. The TNI-AU expects to take delivery of some 50 under current plans.

However, the program carries more than just military importance. In the past few years, KAI has developed and produced a series of indigenous aircraft designs, and the company—originally established as a joint venture of Samsung Aerospace, Daewoo Heavy Industries' aerospace division, and the Hyundai Space and Aircraft Company—has become an industrial powerhouse, making a major contribution to the national economy and providing high-value jobs for Korean workers, with innovative training schemes, apprenticeships, and opportunities for young engineering graduates.

Among its products, the KT-1 Woongbi turboprop-powered basic trainer and T/FA-50 Golden Eagle advanced training/light fighter aircraft have won significant export orders, and KAI hopes that the KF-21 will also become an important driver of exports and a creator of as many as 100,000 jobs when full-scale mass production begins. The program carries an estimated value of 5.9 trillion Korean won ($5.2 billion). Exports remain a possibility, as the aircraft promises to be technologically advanced, operationally capable, and inexpensive.

The KF-21 also promises to give Korea’s aerospace industry invaluable experience in a number of important new technologies. Original plans called for the KF-21 (then known as the KF-X) to incorporate some U.S. technologies, the transfer of which to Korea had been agreed when the ROKAF signed for 40 F-35As, known locally as the “Freedom Knight”. Four technology areas formed “core technologies” necessary for the development of the KF-21, namely the active electronically-scanned array (AESA) radar, the radio frequency (RF) jammer, the electro-optical targeting pod (EOTP), and the infrared search and track (IRST) system.

U.S. Congress subsequently deemed the technologies too sensitive for transfer, putting the whole KF-X program at risk. The Korean Agency for Defense Development (ADD) therefore conducted an in-depth feasibility study, eventually concluding that Korea itself could develop the technologies indigenously.

The most difficult and high-profile effort of the four probably centers on the development of a suitable AESA (active electronically scanned array) radar by Hanwha Systems with assistance from Israel's Elta Systems. Contrary to some reports, the new radar is not based on an existing Israeli radar, nor on Elta software, though the company has helped with “overseas aerial testing” in Israel using company equipment and aircraft. Elbit Systems is supplying the terrain-following/terrain-avoidance system to Hanwha. The partners claim an “89 percent localization rate” for the EASA radar.

Airborne testing has involved operating a test radar from the open rear ramp of a C-130 Hercules, as well as using a South African-registered Boeing 737-55S (ZS-TFJ), which has a KF-21 radome grafted onto its own nose. Development of the radar has reached completion after a decade of R&D effort and a three-year development program.

Hanwha is also developing the KF-21’s EOTP and nose-mounted IRST sensor, reportedly based on Leonardo's SkyWard system. South Korean company LIG Nex1 has begun work on a new integrated electronic warfare suite for the KF-21 with radar warning, radio frequency jamming, and chaff/flare systems.

One foreign-supplied system is the pilot’s ejection seat. The UK's Martin-Baker Aircraft began trials in February 2021 and has now finished testing. It will base ejection seat testing for the two-seat version of the aircraft on the ejection seat test results of the single-seat KF-21 and verify the results within the first half of next year.

Locally developed systems include the digital flight control computer, stores management computer, and embedded training unit, all under development by LIG Nex1. The Korean company also is developing the low-profile head-up display, which uses BAE Systems' waveguide-optics technology. Meanwhile, Hanwha Techwin will support locally assembled General Electric F414-400K engines from the U.S.

 
Around 5 Indonesian fighter pilots that are tasked to help KFX/IFX development and are prepared to test Indonesian IFX made prototype have finished studying in Bandung Institute of Technology as aerospace engineer (and also test pilot school at England some years ago) and has also helped PTDI to test N219 plane until getting certification in late 2020.

PTDI itself has already had test pilot for N 219 so the additional test pilot for N 219 look like to be used to fasten the certification process.

For KFX/IFX program, there is also one aerospace engineer from PTDI that has been prepared to be test pilot for KF21/IFX, he has to learn to be fighter pilot which then study in test pilot school in England.

Air Force personnel who are helping to test N219 plane. Look on the emblem, it is definately fighter test pilot.

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Some of the N 219 test pilots

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Korean media previously said that several Indonesian Air Force pilot has been sent to South Korea to help the test flight phase.
 

Preparation process for first flight disclosed by KF-21 flight test pilot​

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May 28, 2022
 
Production facility in KAI Korea

 
In 22 June it is expected that Malaysian LCA acquisition program will be announced, the very likely candidate for selection is Korean T 50 Golden Eagle.


The selection will likely benefit KF21/IFX program. Indonesia beside provide some parts for KF21 program export sales, it is likely the country will be regional MRO facility for KF21 that will likely include future upgrade program as well (if the program is successful).

Malaysia will likely joint nations in SEA in using T50 Golden Eagle as their advanced trainer/LCA squadrons.

Map of T50 Golden Eagle operators

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From Korean FB

KF-21 Boramae prototypes undergoing various ground tests at Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) facility in Sacheon prior to next month's maiden flight.

According to KAI, 95% of pre-flight ground tests have been completed. Total of 6 flyable prototype aircraft and 2 ground-testing models are undrgoing tests at KAI. The 6 flyable prototypes will conduct over 2,000 test flight sorties before KF-21 is declared operational.


Single and double seats prototypes

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First flight is scheduled in July 2022

 
Closer look

Showing the stake holders :

Korean Government (ADD Korea and SK Airforce logos) : 60 % stake
KAI Korea (KAI Korea logo) : 20 % stake
Indonesia Government (Indonesia Defense Ministry logo) : 20 % stake

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I would like to know why Indonesia has accepted the Korean offer and Turkey didn't.

Erdogan wants the same stake like South Korea, so Turkish proposal is :

South Korea (40 %). Turkey (40%), Indonesia (20%) which is not accepted by South Korea.

The first country South Korea reaches to be included in KFX/IFX program is Indonesia. I still remember reading the newspaper in 2009 when the offer from South Korea comes, in that time SK delegation come to Indonesia and meet with our President, SBY. It didnt take long when Indonesia accepted the South Korean proposal, so the MOU is signed in 2009, the contract is signed in 2010, while the start of program development ( joint South Korea and Indonesia research is started in 2011).

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In December 2012 the two design has been made, before KAI and Lockheed Martin join in 2015

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More on what happen during the 2011-2014

 
Erdogan wants the same stake like South Korea, so Turkish proposal is :

South Korea (40 %). Turkey (40%), Indonesia (20%) which is not accepted by South Korea.

The first country South Korea reaches to be included in KFX/IFX program is Indonesia. I still remember reading the newspaper in 2009 when the offer from South Korea comes, in that time SK delegation come to Indonesia and meet with our President, SBY. It didnt take long when Indonesia accepted the South Korean proposal, so the MOU is signed in 2009, the contract is signed in 2010, while the start of program development ( joint South Korea and Indonesia research is started in 2011).

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In December 2012 the two design has been made, before KAI and Lockheed Martin join in 2015

View attachment 859117

More on what happen during the 2011-2014

Well, I knew something was fishy. I bet that today's Indonesia wouldn't agree with the terms for a second time.
 

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