Korean KF-21 Boramae & Turkish KAAN Fighter Developments

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SEOUL, South Korea ― South Korea’s arms acquisition agency unveiled June 29 the preliminary design of the KF-X fighter aircraft, nearly 30 months after the launch of the indigenous fighter development program in January 2016.

The disclose of the preliminary KF-X design came after the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, or DAPA, held a preliminary design review, or PDR, between June 26 and June 28 of the 4.5-generation twin-engine jet to decide whether to proceed to the next phase of critical design review, or CDR.

“Through the PDR, we’ve confirmed that all system requirements are met in the preliminary design so as to enter the CDR stage,” said Jung Kwang-sun, head of DAPA’s KF-X Program Group. “We plan to complete the detailed design work by September 2019 and begin the production of prototypes.”

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Four Meteor long-range air-to-air missiles developed by MBDA are shown to be nestled under the fuselage, while two IRIS-T short-range guided air-to-air missiles are mounted on respective wingtip launchers. (South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration)
The unveiled design, codenamed C-109, has been completed following repeated wind tunnel tests and computational fluid dynamic analysis, he added.


Notably, the disclosed photos of the KF-X design shows the jet is armed with European missile systems. Four Meteor long-range air-to-air missiles developed by MBDA are shown to be nestled under the fuselage, while two IRIS-T short-range guided air-to-air missiles are mounted on respective wingtip launchers.

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The photos show the KF-X design armed with European missile systems. (South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration)
“It’s the first time to see an official image of the KF-X jet equipped with European missiles,” said Kim Dae-young, a research fellow of the Seoul-based think tank Korea Research Institute for National Strategy. “That means KF-X engineers have modified the jet’s design to carry the European weapons systems in place of U.S. ones.”


The DAPA originally preferred fitting the KF-X aircraft with U.S. weapons systems, such as Raytheon-built AIM-120 and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, but the U.S. government has yet to approve the export license of the missiles, according to DAPA officials.


A DAPA source told Defense News, however, that his agency is still open to the possibility of U.S. air-to-air missile integration into the KF-X jet.


“Meteor and IRIS-T missiles are, in fact, more expensive than U.S. ones,” the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Not just the cost matters ― U.S. weapons systems are easier to be integrated into the jet, so if the U.S. government shows a positive sign of offering its air-to-air missiles, we’ll discuss it for sure.”


The KF-X development is led by the DAPA-affiliated Agency for Defense Development and Korea Aerospace Industries, the country’s only aircraft developer, with a global partnership with Indonesia, which is obliged to burden 20 percent of the development costs.

The project aims to produce more than 120 cutting-edge fighters to replace the aging fleet of F-4s and F-5s. A first flight is planned in 2022, with testing and evaluation to take place until 2026.

On May 31, the DAPA announced that the preliminary design of KF-X’s active electronically scanned array radar was completed to move to the critical design phase.

The prototype of the KF-X radar are being developed by Hanwha Systems with the help of Israel’s Elta Systems, which is in charge of testing the AESA radar.

South Korea unveils first images of KF-X design with European missiles
 
Well I like that under-belly weapon carrying design is innovative. It will be cheaper to design. It will be stealthier, may be not F22 level but still better than 4th gen jets.
 
MBDA to integrate Meteor BVRAAM on RoKAF KF-X

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has awarded MBDA a contract, of undisclosed value, to integrate the Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) on the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) future Korean Fighter eXperimental (KF-X) fifth-generation fighter aircraft.

Awarded during the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2019 in mid-October, but announced by MBDA on 22 November, the contract provides for "the transfer of know-how and the manufacture of all the necessary test equipment to complete the integration, including integration support and instrumented missiles for the trials campaign," an MBDA spokesperson told Jane's . The spokesperson confirmed that the integration contract now paves the way for a future Meteor procurement contract for the KF-X from the RoKAF.

In the interim, the Meteor integration and platform trials campaign timeline on the KF-X is linked to the platform programme timeline. Developed by KAI, KF-X is part of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Defence Acquisition Programme Administration's (DAPA's) F-X phased fighter acquisition programme for the RoKAF, and is intended to replace the RoKAF's F-4E Phantom and F-5E Tiger II aircraft. The KF-X programme includes the production of six prototype platforms - with an initial platform prototype completed by the first half of 2021, and test flights in 2022; completion of platform trials and development is expected by mid-2026, with an initial production batch of 150-200 scheduled for the 2026-32 timeframe. DAPA will launch the KF-X Block 2 programme in 2021, which includes the development of internal weapon bays for the platform. Under F-X Phase 3 South Korea has also elected to acquire 40 Lockheed Martin F-35A conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) variant stealth fighters.

Meteor is a next-generation BVRAAM effector developed under a co-operative agreement between France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and the UK. Integration of the weapon has already been completed on the Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab Gripen JAS 39E/F and Dassault Rafale F3R-standard multirole combat aircraft; integration on the F-35 (short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) B variant for the UK) and now the KF-X is currently underway.
 
MBDA to integrate Meteor BVRAAM on RoKAF KF-X

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has awarded MBDA a contract, of undisclosed value, to integrate the Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) on the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) future Korean Fighter eXperimental (KF-X) fifth-generation fighter aircraft.

Awarded during the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2019 in mid-October, but announced by MBDA on 22 November, the contract provides for "the transfer of know-how and the manufacture of all the necessary test equipment to complete the integration, including integration support and instrumented missiles for the trials campaign," an MBDA spokesperson told Jane's . The spokesperson confirmed that the integration contract now paves the way for a future Meteor procurement contract for the KF-X from the RoKAF.

In the interim, the Meteor integration and platform trials campaign timeline on the KF-X is linked to the platform programme timeline. Developed by KAI, KF-X is part of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Defence Acquisition Programme Administration's (DAPA's) F-X phased fighter acquisition programme for the RoKAF, and is intended to replace the RoKAF's F-4E Phantom and F-5E Tiger II aircraft. The KF-X programme includes the production of six prototype platforms - with an initial platform prototype completed by the first half of 2021, and test flights in 2022; completion of platform trials and development is expected by mid-2026, with an initial production batch of 150-200 scheduled for the 2026-32 timeframe. DAPA will launch the KF-X Block 2 programme in 2021, which includes the development of internal weapon bays for the platform. Under F-X Phase 3 South Korea has also elected to acquire 40 Lockheed Martin F-35A conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) variant stealth fighters.

Meteor is a next-generation BVRAAM effector developed under a co-operative agreement between France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and the UK. Integration of the weapon has already been completed on the Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab Gripen JAS 39E/F and Dassault Rafale F3R-standard multirole combat aircraft; integration on the F-35 (short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) B variant for the UK) and now the KF-X is currently underway.
MBDA is okay with KFX but says no no to our Aircrafts for Meteor
 
MBDA is okay with KFX but says no no to our Aircrafts for Meteor
Rafales will come with Meteors. It's not aircraft. But radars. They don't want to integrate meteor on Russian or Israeli radars. If and when Uttam radar will be available they won't have any problem integrating it with it. They don't want leakage of source codes to Russia, China and Israel....
 
Rafales will come with Meteors. It's not aircraft. But radars. They don't want to integrate meteor on Russian or Israeli radars. If and when Uttam radar will be available they won't have any problem integrating it with it. They don't want leakage of source codes to Russia, China and Israel....
Umm no they even refused Meteors for Mirgage 2K so as not to harm their MiCA business
 
Umm no they even refused Meteors for Mirgage 2K so as not to harm their MiCA business
Meteor will be ineffective on mirage 2k since the range of rdy2 radar on mirage 2k is not that much. So why waste an uber expensive missile. On the other hand mica is perfect for rdy2 range of radar and missile is perfect match anything longer range than mica is waste as radar won't be able to provide mid course correction input.
 
Meteor will be ineffective on mirage 2k since the range of rdy2 radar on mirage 2k is not that much. So why waste an uber expensive missile. On the other hand mica is perfect for rdy2 range of radar and missile is perfect match anything longer range than mica is waste as radar won't be able to provide mid course correction input.
Why cant we have an aesa upragde for our M2000s as well. Scaled Uttam or a French variant of current Rafales
 
South Korea's next generation jet KF-X set to roll out, boost local defense industry


SACHEON, South Gyeongsang Province ― South Korea is set to roll out the first prototype of its indigenously developed next-generation fighter jet, widely known as the Korean Fighter eXperimental (KF-X) aircraft, late next month.

A total of six prototypes are in the final stages of assembly at the Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) headquarters in Sacheon, Gyeongsang Province. Test flights will be carried out next year, following ground testing after the April roll-out.

Industry officials expressed expectations that the KF-X would not only help accelerate domestic production of fighter jet parts but also bring about a considerable economic effect, creating jobs for about 110,000 people during the full development period planned through 2028. Since the KAI embarked on the KF-X development project in 2016 after winning the contract from the government the previous year, the project has created jobs for more than 10,000 people as of 2020, according to the company.

Officials also expressed expectations that the KF-X fighter jets will compete in the global market with fifth-generation fighter jets such as the U.S. aerospace giant Lockheed Martin's F-35 and F-22, based on price and technology competitiveness. According to the KAI, the KF-X is designed as a 4.5-generation jet whose basic hardware and platform could be used for further development and conversion into a fifth-generation one with improved "stealth" technologies.

The first prototype of South Korea's indigenously developed next generation fighter jet KF-X is being assembled at the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) headquarters in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province, Feb. 24. Courtesy of Defense Acquisition Program Administration
A Korea Aerospace Industries official explains the weapon systems of the KF-X fighter jet to reporters at company headquarters in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province, Feb. 24. Courtesy of Defense Acquisition Program Administration

"As the KF-X has been equipped with hardware to become a stealth fighter, we are currently exploring ways to apply stealth technologies to the jet, although we have yet to specify details for further developments as the military has yet to present the details necessary for further developments after Block I and Block II stages of the KF-X development project," Jung Kwang-sun, director general of the KF-X Program Group under the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), told reporters who were visiting KAI headquarters, Feb. 24.

The KF-X project is an "evolutionary development" project which is divided into two phases. The first phase, or the Block I stage, is about developing the basic system of the fighter jet from 2016 to 2026. The second phase, or the Block II stage which would be carried out from 2026 to 2028, is about adding more weapon systems.

The first prototype of South Korea's indigenously developed next generation fighter jet KF-X is being assembled at the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) headquarters in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province, Feb. 24. Courtesy of Defense Acquisition Program Administration
The first prototype of South Korea's indigenously developed next generation fighter jet KF-X is being assembled at the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) headquarters in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province, Feb. 24. Courtesy of Defense Acquisition Program Administration

While the core equipment of the KF-X has been developed with domestic technologies, including active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, infrared search and track (IRST) equipment, electro-optical target tracking (EO TGP) devices and electronic warfare (EW) suite, the target ratio of localization is 65 percent, in terms of the total costs of the parts used for the jet.

With 10 stations on the jet, about 50 different weapons combinations that weigh up to 7.7 tons can be carried. The total fuel capacity of the jet is 5.3 tons and it has aerial refuelling capability.

@Gautam @randomradio @Picdelamirand-oil @vstol Jockey @Milspec
 

Anything in development/ developed will eventually will fall in to Pakistani backyard. Turkish gen5 fighter is a heavy category one, question is do we have to redraw AMCA or we need to develop another heavy fighter along with AMCA?
 

Anything in development/ developed will eventually will fall in to Pakistani backyard. Turkish gen5 fighter is a heavy category one, question is do we have to redraw AMCA or we need to develop another heavy fighter along with AMCA?
Wake me up if it flies...🤗😉
 
And that sugar daddy itself may well be kicked out of NATO...😉😊
That scenario came the day they signed s400 deal with Russia, still they are under nato umbrella. I don't see that possibility now, atleast till the end of current US administration.