Korea Aerospace Industries KFX

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KFX

3 models of the KFX; from left to right they are: strength and momentum testing, and the other two are wind testing.

Type Multirole Fighter
Manufacturer Korea Aerospace Industries
Maiden flight Designated to be 2014
Introduced Designated to be approximately 2020
Status In development
Primary user Republic of Korea Air Force
Number built none yet

The Korea Aerospace Industries KFX is South Korea's project to develop an indigenous stealth fighter aircraft for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF). It was first announced by South Korean President Kim Dae-Jung at the graduation ceremony of the Air Force Academy in March 2001. Few details are known except that the ROKAF specified a twin-engined fighter with an internal weapon bay.[citation needed]

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[edit] Design and development

According to information given by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), the KFX is intended to be a medium-weight stealth fighter intended to replace the F-4D/E Phantom II fighters. Currently two concepts are being evaluated.

Recent developmental releases suggest that KAI is opting for the KFX-101 model, similar in design to the F-35 in both the fuselage and cockpit.[citation needed]

The KFX is expected to enter service at around 2020 and is expected to be retired by the early-2050s. ADD specified a twin-engined fighter with a thrust of 26,000 to 28,000 pounds-force (115–125 kN). The engines currently being considered are the F414-GE-EDE+, EJ2X0 and the SNECMA M88. The KFX is expected to be roughly the size of the F-35 Lightning II, with specs similar to the Eurofighter. KFX is expected to have a higher maximum speed than that of the current versions of the Dassault Rafale and the Eurofighter Typhoon.[citation needed]

[edit] Specifications (KFX - projected)

  • Crew: 1
  • Thrust: about 52,000 lbf (230 kN) (F414 class x 2)
  • Electronic warfare
    • JHMCS design
    • Operating computer design
    • Data link design
    • Equipment integration and control
    • NVIS design[1]
  • Max Speed: about Mach 1.8
  • Armament:
    • M61 Vulcan
    • AIM-9X class short-range AAM(AIM-9X class) (indigenous, under development)
    • AIM-120 class beyond visual range AAM (not specified yet)
    • 500 lb (230 kg) GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb
    • KGGB (indigenous)
    • JCM class guided short range AGM (indigenous, under development)
    • SSM-760K Haeseong ASM (indigenous)
    • Boramae ALCM (indigenous, under development), or Taurus class ALCM
    • supersonic ALCM (based on P-800 Oniks technology) (indigenous, under development)
    • etc.

[edit] References

[edit] See also

Comparable aircraft

[edit] External links