South Korean Show Highlights KF-X Fighter Project

[Zarvan]

A model of the twin-engine KF-X design was a prominent feature of the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) stand. (Jim Winchester)

Korea’s KF-X indigenous fighter project was again a center of attention at the Seoul International Aerospace and Defence Exhibition (ADEX 2015), held this week at Seongnam airbase, south of the capital. Korean Air unveiled a new unmanned version of the MD500 “Little Bird” helicopter. The small daily flying display was blighted by atmospheric haze, which prevented most acts from getting airborne during the first half of the week.

No major progress on KF-X was announced at ADEX, but a model of the twin-engine, twin-tail C103 design was displayed on the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) stand. The lower-cost single-engine C501 version shown at ADEX 2013 was not evident this year. Program interest currently centers on the supply by foreign OEMs of powerplants and radars. Eurojet’s EJ200 and GE’s F404 and F414 are among the engine contenders for the Korean RFP. Eurojet had a production engine on display and an F414-powered Boeing Super Hornet was in the static display. Having supplied F404 engines for the T-50 in partnership with KAI, GE is bullish about its prospects. A decision on the KF-X engine is expected in 2016.

Saab was showing off its new and as yet unnamed AESA radar at ADEX. Intended as a replacement for the mechanically scanned radar in the Gripen C/D variants, it is scaleable to fit a variety of platforms and Saab is hopeful that it will be a candidate for KF-X. AESA radar is one of four key technologies that U.S. industry cannot now supply to South Korea, following a ban by the U.S. Congress. Saab’s offering is ITAR-free. Selex Gallileo was also present at ADEX, showing its Vixen 1000E AESA radar.

A surprise absence was that of the KAI Surion medium helicopter. The company’s own aircraft are engaged on trials, and it seems none could be spared from the nearly 40 or so far supplied to the RoKAF and other agencies. At the show the Korean National Police signed for a fourth example, to enter service in 2017. Marketing efforts for the Surion are being concentrated on existing KAI customers such as Iraq and the Philippines, with South American nations and Botswana also being courted.

The Korean Air Aerospace Division (KAL-ASD) revealed an unmanned version of the MD500 “Little Bird” helicopter. Dubbed the Korean Air Unmanned System-Vertical Helicopter (KUS-VH), the new UAV will be be armed, unlike Boeing’s similar H-6U Unmanned Little Bird. The KUS-VH will make its maiden unmanned flight next year before evaluation by the RoK Army, which already has up to 175 manned MD500 models in service.

Another new unmanned South Korean system is the KUS-FT tactical unmanned aerial system. This battlefield UAV with a catapult launcher and command vehicles has quietly entered service with the RoK Army and Marines, although officials declined to say how many have been fielded to date.

A Lockheed Martin representative said the company is expecting an RFP for the sale of up to 12 S-3B Viking maritime patrol aircraft to the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) and is also in discussion with two other Asian nations and one in South America for S-3s. There are around 90 Vikings in desert storage that are suitable for regeneration and modernization, which in Korea’s case at least would be done in partnership with local industry.

Making its longest journey to date, an example of the Airbus A400M Atlas airlifter was in the static display for the show days. It was a UK Royal Air Force (RAF) example that had arrived via Georgia and the Philippines and was heading on to Japan, the USA and Canada before returning to RAF Brize Norton. It had brought out the RAF Falcons parachute display team who made several drops from RoKAF CH-47D Chinooks.

Korean Show Highlights KF-X Fighter Project | Defense News: Aviation International News

@Indos @madokafc @Jakartans@PkDef @anas_nurhafidz @Reashot Xigwin

 

[knight11]

@Zarvan Thanks for the post and posting in world military forum rather than pakistani section

SEOUL, South Korea — Only six months after Seoul’s KF-X fighter program took off, the state project valued at about US $15 billion faces a crash over tech transfer issues with the US government.

The KF-X is linked to Lockheed Martin’s sale of 40 F-35As to South Korea under the F-X III program through the Foreign Military sales process. Lockheed Martin offered to provide 21 technologies required to build the KF-X fighter jet as part of F-X III offset deals. The US aircraft giant was also selected as the main partner to build KF-X with Korea Aerospace Industries.

At the request of Seoul’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), Lockheed Martin also agreed to consult with the US government over the transfer of four more technologies related to the active electronically scanned radar (AESA), electro-optical targeting pod, infrared search-and-rescue systems, and radio frequency jammer.

In April, however, the DAPA received notice of the refusal to transfer the four technologies, according DAPA officials.

“We were trying to secure the US export license of those technologies but failed to get them,” Lt. Gen. Park Shin-kyu, head of DAPA’s procurement business bureau, said. “Instead, we’ll seek ways of obtaining those technologies from other countries or through local developments.”

The general hinted the KF-X timeline could be further delayed from 2025 without the US tech transfer.

The AESA, in particular, is a key specification of the KF-X, which is expected to be a twin-engine F-16-plus fighter jet with high-end sensor systems. Some 120 jets are to be built to replace the aging fleet of F-4s and F-5s.

Lockheed Martin says it is still consulting with the US government over transfer of the technologies.

“There is no F-35 customer nation receiving the AESA radar technology,” a Lockheed official said. “We made it clear that the tech transfer is only possible with the approval of the US government. We tried but failed.”

Cheong Wa Dae (executive office), however, said DAPA was trying to cover up the tech transfer failure.

The presidential office launched a probe into the suspicion that DAPA had selected Lockheed as the final bidder for both the F-X III and KF-X programs in an unfair manner.

“The presidential office will look into all paperwork and documents related to the KF-X program,” a Cheong Wa Dae spokesman said, adding that the fighter development plan could be halted if it is judged nonviable economically and technically.

Some pundits anticipate the KF-X fiasco could affect the F-X III contract in a worst-case scenario.

“I think it’s not possible that the South Korean government cancels the F-X III contract with Lockheed Martin at this moment,” Kim Dae-young, secretary-general of the Korea Defense & Security Forum, a Seoul-based defense think-tank, said. “But the controversy over the F-X III competition process could become an issue again.”

In 2013, Lockheed Martin was dropped in the middle of the F-X III competition, but the DAPA reversed its decision later, upsetting then-preferred bidder Boeing.

The DAPA argued the country’s Air Force needs to operate fighters fitted with the so-called fifth-generation radar-evading capability in response to North Korea’s threats. As a result, Lockheed Martin won the $7 billion deal, beating Boeing and Eurofighter though the latter promised to provide more lenient tech transfers than did the former.

“The easiest way is to buy US radar and sensors to fit them into the KF-X jet, but that may provoke a backlash,” Kim said, referring to the alleged trauma of the T-50 development.

Lockheed Martin helped South Korea develop the T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic trainer jet. But key technologies are protected by the US, so integrating European radars into the plane or exporting the jet to other countries requires US approval.

“This case should serve as an opportunity for us to look back on the way we treat the US,” said Rep. Kim Jung-hoon of the ruling Saenuri Party. “We decided to buy fifth-generation fighter jets with the expectation of sophisticated tech transfer, but now we have nothing.”

 

[Akasa]

From the looks of it, the aircraft should be a very capable platform with a dependable supply chain to back it up.

 

[knight11]

Looking at the development of the KF-X development


October 21/15: South Korea’s president has fired external link the country’s senior presidential secretary for foreign affairs Ju Chul-ki following failure to secure the transfer of four key technologies from the US required for the country’s KF-X indigenous fighter program. The blockage of the technologies in April – subsequently confirmed by the South Korean government in September – has also led to a criminal investigation into a senior security official in the country, as US SecDef Carter publicly reiterated the refusal to transfer the critical technologies last week external link.

October 7/15: South Korea and Indonesia look set to sign a set of agreements external link later this month to cement the two countries’ industrial commitments to the collaborative development of the South Korean KF-X indigenous fighter program. The two states signed an engineering and development agreement in October 2014 external link, which split the development costs 80-20 to South Korea. The two countries reiterated their commitment to the program in May external link this year. Meanwhile, the South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration announced on Tuesday external link that a separate organization will be established specifically to manage the KF-X program.

September 28/15: South Korea’s $6.9 billion KF-X program has hit a major speed bump with refusal by the US government to approve the transfer of four core technologies from F-35 prime contractor Lockheed Martin to the country’s defense procurement agency, with the South Korean government now confirming external link that Washington refused the transfer back in April. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) will now have to look elsewhere external link to acquire these technologies, which include an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, EO targeting pod, RF jammer and IR search and track system. Lockheed Martin promised to transfer 25 technologies to the country when it signed a Foreign Military Sales contract for 40 F-35s in September external link, with the homegrown fighter project seemingly now in jeopardy.

April 10/15: GE to push engines. General Electric is reportedly looking to supply jet engines for the South Korea KF-X program, submitting a proposal to Korea Aerospace Industries, following the company’s selection as preferred bidder at the end of last month. The F414 engines GE is proposing has previously equipped the US Navy’s Super Hornets and Growlers, the Saab Gripen NG and the Indian Mk II Tejas.


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Now question arises in view of indian AMCA

1. Should India have gone for Tejas -------> Stealth Tejas for AMCA or AMCA from ground up

2. When it comes of the key technologies we cannot trust any help from the GIANTS for the key technologies. U.S have interests in South Korea, and have always provided security, and shows itself as a conserned Nation for the security and integrety of the S. Korea but when the need arises, the parliment refuses the transfer of the high end technologies, because they don't want a market for F-35, and another competitor in which indonesia is also a partner. In another word its all Buisness nothing friend in international relationship


Moreover, if KF-X was developed, how big would the 2025 – 2040 export market really be? The Teal Group’s Richard Aboulafia is right that “The world fighter market needs a modern, F-16-class mid-market fighter.” With that said, even in a hypothetical market where F-16, F/A-18 family, Eurofighter, and Rafale production lines had all shut down, that would still leave South Korea competing for mid-tier purchases against China’s J-10, J-11, and “J-31”, Russia’s SU-35 and possibly its MiG-35, and Sweden’s JAS-39E/F.

On the other hand, KAI needs development work after the FA-50 is done. As one 2009 article

asked, how far can industrial nationalism go? The next 18 months will offer an answer to that question.

@PARIKRAMA @GURU DUTT @MilSpec @Ind4Ever @Omega007 @Whazzup @ramu @sathya @Blue Marlin @Windjammer @MastanKhan @migflug @HariPrasad @Abingdonboy @[bregs] @SR-91

 

[GURU DUTT]

Looking at the development of the KF-X development


October 21/15: South Korea’s president has fired external link the country’s senior presidential secretary for foreign affairs Ju Chul-ki following failure to secure the transfer of four key technologies from the US required for the country’s KF-X indigenous fighter program. The blockage of the technologies in April – subsequently confirmed by the South Korean government in September – has also led to a criminal investigation into a senior security official in the country, as US SecDef Carter publicly reiterated the refusal to transfer the critical technologies last week external link.

October 7/15: South Korea and Indonesia look set to sign a set of agreements external link later this month to cement the two countries’ industrial commitments to the collaborative development of the South Korean KF-X indigenous fighter program. The two states signed an engineering and development agreement in October 2014 external link, which split the development costs 80-20 to South Korea. The two countries reiterated their commitment to the program in May external link this year. Meanwhile, the South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration announced on Tuesday external link that a separate organization will be established specifically to manage the KF-X program.

September 28/15: South Korea’s $6.9 billion KF-X program has hit a major speed bump with refusal by the US government to approve the transfer of four core technologies from F-35 prime contractor Lockheed Martin to the country’s defense procurement agency, with the South Korean government now confirming external link that Washington refused the transfer back in April. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) will now have to look elsewhere external link to acquire these technologies, which include an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, EO targeting pod, RF jammer and IR search and track system. Lockheed Martin promised to transfer 25 technologies to the country when it signed a Foreign Military Sales contract for 40 F-35s in September external link, with the homegrown fighter project seemingly now in jeopardy.

April 10/15: GE to push engines. General Electric is reportedly looking to supply jet engines for the South Korea KF-X program, submitting a proposal to Korea Aerospace Industries, following the company’s selection as preferred bidder at the end of last month. The F414 engines GE is proposing has previously equipped the US Navy’s Super Hornets and Growlers, the Saab Gripen NG and the Indian Mk II Tejas.


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Now question arises in view of indian AMCA

1. Should India have gone for Tejas -------> Stealth Tejas for AMCA or AMCA from ground up

2. When it comes of the key technologies we cannot trust any help from the GIANTS for the key technologies. U.S have interests in South Korea, and have always provided security, and shows itself as a conserned Nation for the security and integrety of the S. Korea but when the need arises, the parliment refuses the transfer of the high end technologies, because they don't want a market for F-35, and another competitor in which indonesia is also a partner. In another word its all Buisness nothing friend in international relationship

@PARIKRAMA @GURU DUTT @MilSpec @Ind4Ever @Omega007 @Whazzup @ramu @sathya @Blue Marlin @Windjammer @MastanKhan @migflug @HariPrasad @Abingdonboy @[bregs] @SR-91

AMCA is what we need and fast and both PMO & MOD are pushing it and DM is taking personal interest in the project and is personally monitoring all its R&D ... cheers mate

 

[knight11]

AMCA is what we need and fast and both PMO & MOD are pushing it and DM is taking personal interest in the project and is personally monitoring all its R&D ... cheers mate

guru bhai, Read the post, Even i am optimistic and wish like you for AMCA, but the key technologies in which we lack, and the way US parliament rejected the transfer the transfer of tech. from Lockheat Martin to KAI makes me wonder, that it what needs to be done in future--- you have to developed all in house in the country and its not only a big hill to walk over that but a Mt. Everest standing in front of AMCA, and time taken to developed would be crucial.

Just look how F-33 program (TAI/LM KF-X program) was halted for 18 month and how US pushed F-15es and in future may be F-35, to discourage KF-X.

 

[GURU DUTT]

guru bhai, Read the post, Even i am optimistic and wish like you for AMCA, but the key technologies in which we lack, and the way US parliament rejected the transfer the transfer of tech. from Lockheat Martin to KAI makes me wonder, that it what needs to be done in future--- you have to developed all in house in the country and its not only a big hill to walk over that but a Mt. Everest standing in front of AMCA, and time taken to developed would be crucial.

question is do we have a choice ?

we have no choice but to keep developing such techs and pushing the envelop even further as no one is going to give there trade secrets to us not russians , not US nor france we have to do it owrselfs and should take a leaf from chinese modus oprrendy

 

[Indos]

This model has been approved last year, no other model will be pursuit, Today focus is avionics and engine.

 

[knight11]

@Zarvan @Blue Marlin It would be nice if a thread of various 5th Gen development program accept F-22 and F-35 and comparison of each development is open. The contendor like KAI KF-x, Turkish FX, Mitsubishi ATD-X, AMCA, J-31 and the challanges ahead of them, and future prospects. No bullshit ratting of distroying each other only technologies, challenges, Budget, and future prospects.

And Pls open the thread in worlds Military Forum section Bhai. I am ban from going in Pakistani Defence section

This model has been approved last year, no other model will be pursuit, Today focus is avionics and engine.

Thanks Indonesia is contributing 20%. So how many planes is the requirement of the Indonesian AF.

 

[Indos]

@Zarvan @Blue Marlin It would be nice if a thread of various 5th Gen development program accept F-22 and F-35 and comparison of each development is open. The contendor like KAI KF-x, Turkish FX, Mitsubishi ATD-X, AMCA, J-31 and the challanges ahead of them, and future prospects. No bullshit ratting of distroying each other only technologies, challenges, Budget, and future prospects.

And Pls open the thread in worlds Military Forum section Bhai. I am ban from going in Pakistani Defence section


Thanks Indonesia is contributing 20%. So how many planes is the requirement of the Indonesian AF.

The initial plan is 50, but latest news from South Korea side said that Indonesia wants about 80 planes.

The project has become serious, even Indonesian Aerospace industry (PT Dirgantara/ state owned) has started to build new production facility for IFX ( Indonesian KFX version) production

 

[knight11]

The initial plan is 50, but latest news from South Korea side said that Indonesia wants about 80 planes.

The project has become serious, even Indonesian Aerospace industry (PT Dirgantara/ state owned) has started to build new production facility for IFX ( Indonesian KFX version) production

So what is the latest development of the news which quoted in my first post in this thread the 4 critical technology transfer from LM. Does the possibilities of other sources like European could be considered, if US parliment denied transfer

 

[Indos]

So what is the latest development of the news which quoted in my first post in this thread the 4 critical technology transfer from LM. Does the possibilities of other sources like European could be considered, if US parliment denied transfer

In my opinion, they will continue buying F-35 even though 4 critical TOT has been blocked by US administration. South Korea has said that they are able to develop 2 of that 4 critical technology. I bet we just can buy the system instead of developing by ourselves.

For the Indonesian side, we have freedom to choose as well. So the engine and avionics can be different. In term of engine, SK can select GE and we can select Eurojet.

 

[knight11]

In my opinion, they will continue buying F-35 even though 4 critical TOT has been blocked by US administration. South Korea has said that they are able to develop 2 of that 4 critical technology. I bet we just can buy the system instead of developing by ourselves.

For the Indonesian side, we have freedom to choose as well. So the engine and avionics can be different. In term of engine, SK can select GE and we can select Eurojet.

Thanks for the information Sir,
You have been following and active in KF-X related thread, Sir, any thought of yours on Indian AMCA program, looking at the challenges ADA have to face, and the US-Indo relationship getting better and better.

 

[Indos]

Thanks for the information Sir,
You have been following and active in KF-X related thread, Sir, any thought of yours on Indian AMCA program, looking at the challenges ADA have to face, and the US-Indo relationship getting better and better.

Your welcome friend, but I rather leave that question into our Indian friends here at PDF.........they are the ones who has the best answer on that.

 

[Zarvan]

The initial plan is 50, but latest news from South Korea side said that Indonesia wants about 80 planes.

The project has become serious, even Indonesian Aerospace industry (PT Dirgantara/ state owned) has started to build new production facility for IFX ( Indonesian KFX version) production

80 only Indonesia needs lot more than just 80 and I hope you manage to develop this jet as soon as possible