KFX/IFX News and Development

[foodsoldier]

It is reported that Indonesia requested a loan of $5 billion in USD from South Korea as a condition for Indonesia to return back to the KF-X/IF-X program when Indonesia has overdue payments towards the KF-X/IF-X program.

IMHO, looking into the number ($5 bio), it's possibly not only for the KFX/IFX participation ($2 bio), but also for follow up order on CBG ($1.2 bio) and possible additional type of submarine (KSS?, for the remaining $2.8 bio).

Or... it could be loan for something else, not related to defense.

 

[SgtGungHo]

IMHO, looking into the number ($5 bio), it's possibly not only for the KFX/IFX participation ($2 bio), but also for follow up order on CBG ($1.2 bio) and possible additional type of submarine (KSS?, for the remaining $2.8 bio).

Or... it could be loan for something else, not related to defense.

You guessed it right. It is reported that Indonesia wants Korea to invest that $5 billion into Indonesia's agricultural sector (probably through Indonesia's Soverign Wealth Fund).

 

[Indos]

 

[Indos]

 

[Indos]

Specs and capabilities, I think the data is quite official from KAI directly

 

[SgtGungHo]

Specs and capabilities, I think the data is quite official from KAI directly

Payload (7,700kg) sucks...slightly better than F-16V, but significantly worse than Rafale F4 (9,000kg). Then again, KF-21 is heavier than Rafale and carries more internal fuel.

 

[Indos]

Payload (7,700kg) sucks...slightly better than F-16V, but significantly worse than Rafale F4 (9,000kg). Then again, KF-21 is heavier than Rafale and carries more internal fuel.

IMO bombing role nowadays are replaced by MALE UCAV or cruise missiles/ballistic missile so that payload is enough in my perspective, as long as they can still carry many AA missiles and 1 or 2 anti ship missiles.

Good if KF 21 carries more fuel than Rafale since Indonesia needs long range fighters, this is also good for country like Saudi with has huge territory to protect.

KF 21 has better T/W ratio than Rafale right ? I hear on the roll out that KF 21 can reach 2 Mach, slightly better than previously said that it can reach 1.8 Mach

 

[SgtGungHo]

IMO bombing role nowadays are replaced by MALE UCAV or cruise missiles/ballistic missile so that payload is enough in my perspective, as long as they can still carry many AA missiles and 1 or 2 anti ship missiles.

Good if KF 21 carries more fuel than Rafale since Indonesia needs long range fighters, this is also good for country like Saudi with has huge territory to protect.

KF 21 has better T/W ratio than Rafale right ? I hear on the roll out that KF 21 can reach 2 Mach, slightly better than previously said that it can reach 1.8 Mach

Yes, KF 21 has better T/W ratio than Rafale, but the maximum take-off weight isn't significantly different between two (25,400kg vs. 24,500kg). Rafale has better ferry range and probably bette combat radius as well, theorically.

 

[Indos]

Yes, KF 21 has better T/W ratio than Rafale, but the maximum take-off weight isn't significantly different between two (25,400kg vs. 24,500kg). Rafale has better ferry range and probably bette combat radius as well, theorically.

Can you please explain me why Rafale will have better ferry range and possibly combat radius than KF-21 with more fuel storage ? Is it because Rafale use delta wings and canard that make the plane get more lift ?

 

[Whizzack]

Can you please explain me why Rafale will have better ferry range and possibly combat radius than KF-21 with more fuel storage ? Is it because Rafale use delta wings and canard that make the plane get more lift ?

Probably because KFX is using a more powerful engine, hence the better T/W ratio with the same max TOW.. but also means the engine consumes more fuel..

 

[SgtGungHo]

Can you please explain me why Rafale will have better ferry range and possibly combat radius than KF-21 with more fuel storage ? Is it because Rafale use delta wings and canard that make the plane get more lift ?

Certainly. Rafale is inherently lighter and M88 consumes less fuel of being less powerful than F414. Hence, advertised ferry range of Rafale was said to be 3,700km (vs 2,900km of KF-21) when it was suggested to Indian Air Force.

However, it also means KF-21 is probably better in acceleration & maneuverability (for having a significantly better T/W ratio) though I am not sure it does mean much as almost all air combats are conducted in BVR.

 

[antonius123]

Can you please explain me why Rafale will have better ferry range and possibly combat radius than KF-21 with more fuel storage ? Is it because Rafale use delta wings and canard that make the plane get more lift ?

Delta wing should get more lift above sonic speed.

Most probably because max fuel capacity that KF-21 can carry is less than Rafale.

 

[SgtGungHo]

Delta wing should get more lift above sonic speed.

Most probably because max fuel capacity that KF-21 can carry is less than Rafale.

KF-21 can carry more fuel (internally + externally) than Rafale just like F/A-18 Super Hornet does (if I am not mistaken).

The Korean & Indonesian flighter jet has practically inherited all pros and cons of F/A-18 Super Hornet for sharing the same engine configuration and it was a predictable outcome when Korea chose F414 in the past.

 

[antonius123]

KF-21 can carry more fuel (internally + externally) than Rafale just like F/A-18 Super Hornet does (if I am not mistaken).

The Korean & Indonesian flighter jet has practically inherited all pros and cons of F/A-18 Super Hornet for sharing the same engine configuration and it was a predictable outcome when Korea chose F414 in the past.

How much fuel can KF-21 carry internal + external? Rafale can bring 16,550 liter.

Also if we compare range, we need to compare the same range, for example: Rafale combat range is 1850km, however it's very range is 3700km. So regarding KF-21's 1800km is it combat range? or very range?

Engine thrust is not necessarily means more consumes fuel per km, it depend on efficiency. For exampe: EF-2000 Typhoon has greater TWR and EJ-200 produce more thrust dan M-88, and Typhoon is a little bit heavier, but Typhoon has greater very range than that of Rafale.

 

[SgtGungHo]

How much fuel can KF-21 carry internal + external? Rafale can bring 16,550 liter.

Also if we compare range, we need to compare the same range, for example: Rafale combat range is 1850km, however it's very range is 3700km. So regarding KF-21's 1800km is it combat range? or very range?

Engine thrust is not necessarily means more consumes fuel per km, it depend on efficiency. For exampe: EF-2000 Typhoon has greater TWR and EJ-200 produce more thrust dan M-88, and Typhoon is a little bit heavier, but Typhoon has greater very range than that of Rafale.

KF-21 can carry 5,400 kg (12,000 lb) of fuel internally and 4 × 480 gal tanks, totaling 5,914 kg (13,040 lb). Rafale that was suggested to Indian Air Force was advertised to carry 4,700 kg of fuel internally and up to 6,700 kg of fuel externally. So KF-21 can carry more fuel intenrally, but if you are asking the maximum fuel then it is about the same.

Combat radius of KF-21 is not advertised, but Ferry range is already posted for being 2,900 km.

No, Eurofigther's actual ferry range is the same as KF-21 (2,900km) and their advertised ferry range (3,790 km) assumes Eurofighter uses 3 external fuel tanks.