KAI KF-21
- Thread starter Eeshaan
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Sandhi Yudha
Well-Known Member
Like Ananda, i also call this project just KAI KFX (without IFX). After multiple years 'forgot' to pay the required funds, its obvious that the current administration doesnt want to continue with this project.
Its for South-Korea better to continue alone, without such an unreliable partner.
Ahmad
Active Member
Well, technically we are still inside the program until there is news in the future who say otherwise, so I believe any one here still has the right to say the program as KFX/IFX. The renegotiation is still happening and we dont know the result yet.
This is the Critical Design Review (CDR) meeting in September 2019
한국형전투기(KF-X) 시제기 제작 개시한다! / 방사청 제공
한국형전투기(KF-X) 상세설계검토회의를 주재하는 정광선 방위사업청 한국형전투기사업단장과 안느 꾸스마야띠 인도네시아 연구개발원장의 모습한국형전......
bemil.chosun.com
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Sandhi Yudha
Well-Known Member
Well at least the Koreans continue with developing and improving their defence capabilities.
30 JUNE 2020 00:00 GMT+0
South Korea to develop supersonic ASM for future KF-X fighter aircraft
by Gabriel Dominguez
South Korea is planning to develop a new supersonic air-to-surface missile (ASM) that is expected to be carried by the Republic of Korea Air Force’s (RoKAF’s) future Korean Fighter eXperimental (KF-X) multirole fighter aircraft.
More info at South Korea to develop supersonic ASM for future KF-X fighter aircraft
30 JUNE 2020 00:00 GMT+0
South Korea to develop supersonic ASM for future KF-X fighter aircraft
by Gabriel Dominguez
South Korea is planning to develop a new supersonic air-to-surface missile (ASM) that is expected to be carried by the Republic of Korea Air Force’s (RoKAF’s) future Korean Fighter eXperimental (KF-X) multirole fighter aircraft.
More info at South Korea to develop supersonic ASM for future KF-X fighter aircraft
Sandhi Yudha
Well-Known Member
I couldn't find anything about the photo leakage of the KFX prototype. But it should look very similar to the mock-up presented last year. It is a conventional single engine design without canards. (Edit: looking to the images on KAI's website, its a twin engine design without internal weaponbay.)
Sadly there is no recent news yet about the KFX avable on the internet. Only that on 30 June 2020, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) announced it has received a USD 575 million (688 billion-won) contract from the South Korean Ministry of Defense and its Defense Acquisition Program Administration to manufacture twenty TA-50 lead-in fighters for the Republic of South Korea Air Force (RoKAF) by 2024. It seems to be the second order for the TA-50.
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Ahmad
Active Member
That is a double engine.
Here is the leak, coming from SK Facebook Page. AESA radar development also said by this page as already been finished and will be officially announced in August
Republic of Korea Armed Forces
Republic of Korea Armed Forces. 28,380 likes · 6,376 talking about this. We are an unofficial page dedicated to sharing English-based South Korean defense-related topics. 본 페이지는 대한민국 국방 관련 이슈를 해외에...
www.facebook.com
Sandhi Yudha
Well-Known Member
Thank you for sharing! Its good to see that even without financial support of their unreliable partner, there is still progress with the prototype, AESA radar and engine.That is a double engine.
Here is the leak, coming from SK Facebook Page. AESA radar development also said by this page as already been finished and will be officially announced in August
View attachment 47481
Republic of Korea Armed Forces
Republic of Korea Armed Forces. 28,380 likes · 6,376 talking about this. We are an unofficial page dedicated to sharing English-based South Korean defense-related topics. 본 페이지는 대한민국 국방 관련 이슈를 해외에...
Ananda
The Bunker Group
KF-X는 스텔스기. 그러나 지엽적인 논쟁.
먼저 글 다듬어서 다시 올립니다. 제 지식이 일천한 바, 제 담벼락의 글들은 일반인들이 보시는 것을 전제로 작성하오니, 정보의 양과......
bemil.chosun.com
I put the link to Bemil Chosun site on their analysis on how KFX will be use by ROKAF in the case situation getting hot with the North. I know it's not official analysis but so far Bemil Chosun is quite 'realistic' media/forum on South Korean military.
The main point of what they wrote seems related to KFX being use as support role for F-35. They are very clear on the analysis that in no way KFX even in the form of more 'stealthy' development in Batch 2 and Batch 3 will be equivalent to F-35.
What ROKAF looking is platform that are more advance then their F-4 and F-16, and still relative cheap enough to acquired and operate.
The scenario talk about first day of the war with the North, and F-15K will provide volley of long range cruise missiles from around the border (they talk on Taurus Cruise Missile), with F-35 enter deep penetration SEAD and KFX will then provide cover (I suspect on way back) for potential Air Adversaries that will follow F-35 back.
The way I see it, KFX in the Batch 1 have semi recessed AAM missiles (can be AMRAAM or Meteor), which perhaps even though they have under wing pilons, will not be used when they covering F-35 way back journey. This means KFX will still be used as secondary assets by ROKAF on their net work strike roles especially in the early days of conflicts. Even if they manage to develop batch 2 and 3 with more stealthy profile of inner bay covering those 4 missile as compared to semi recess possition in Batch 1, the scenario still the same.
Then the challenge will be for KAI to produce KFX that can provide substantial saving in cost of procurement and operating compared to F-35 and not much higher then FA-50.
This's quite a challenge considering KFX will be operational on the end of this decade as the fastest (this with the condition of the prototype will be flying in 2022/23). By that time the cost of F-35 procurement and operating predicted to reduce significant from present time, even calculating inflation factor.
For SEA nation like Indonesia, Philippines, or Thailand that being targeted as potential export market as TA/FA-50 now, then the question will be by 2030, can they have access to F-35 ? If yes, why the need of KFX considering for secondary role they can procured more numerous light fighter like FA-50. Even now KAI already developing FA-50 blk 2 with consider can be used as replacement for F-5 and early models of F-16 in ROKAF.
Looking to the comments section, there are quite a number of Korean enthusiast that ask (in my opinion) legitimate question. If the cost of F-35 will go down, is KFX still needed ?
South Korea now is one of two countries (with Turkey) outside US that have manufacturing facilities for F-16. Will then they will go with manufacturing under license F-35 ?
Off course the idea for KFX as part for domestic/indigenous fighters manufacturing, always have some merit.
It will then back to how far this KFX cost really turn out compared to F-35. KFX in my opinion will have lower cost then F-35..the question is the lower cost significant enough that provide what ROKAF aim for ?
That's the question in my opinion.
Ahmad
Active Member
Here, much cleaner picture from Jane Defense
KAI plans to roll out first KF-X prototype in April 2021
by Gabriel Dominguez
South Korean aerospace and defence company Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has revealed that it plans to roll out the first prototype of its Korean Fighter eXperimental (KF-X) multirole fighter aircraft in April 2021.
In the latest edition of its monthly Fly Together magazine the company released an image showing the prototype’s fuselage, which was assembled at KAI’s facilities in Sacheon. No further details were provided about the programme but Janes understands that the prototype is expected to conduct its first flight in 2022.
KAI plans to roll out first KF-X prototype in April 2021
South Korean aerospace and defence company Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has revealed that it plans to roll out the first prototype of its Korean Fighter eXperimental...
www.janes.com
Sandhi Yudha
Well-Known Member
April 2021 the roll-out, thats very fast and optimistic, if the prototype is in that condition at this moment. Big chance it will be end 2021.Here, much cleaner picture from Jane Defense
KAI plans to roll out first KF-X prototype in April 2021
by Gabriel Dominguez
View attachment 47484
South Korean aerospace and defence company Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has revealed that it plans to roll out the first prototype of its Korean Fighter eXperimental (KF-X) multirole fighter aircraft in April 2021.
In the latest edition of its monthly Fly Together magazine the company released an image showing the prototype’s fuselage, which was assembled at KAI’s facilities in Sacheon. No further details were provided about the programme but Janes understands that the prototype is expected to conduct its first flight in 2022.
KAI plans to roll out first KF-X prototype in April 2021
South Korean aerospace and defence company Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has revealed that it plans to roll out the first prototype of its Korean Fighter eXperimental...
Thank you for sharing!
Ahmad
Active Member
Your Welcome bro,
That picture was taken in April this year, not at this moment. That was stated in my previous picture written in Korean.
Ananda
The Bunker Group
KF-X project on track but concerns grow about Indonesian involvement
Technicians from Indonesian aerospace firm PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) will soon be rejoining counterparts from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) to undertake work on...
www.janes.com
This something that might be make some Indonesian poster like @Ahmad happy
. As for me, I'm just say 'meehh' as still no concrete decision from Jakarta on what they really want with this project forward on.In the end, like I've posted before, as Junior Partner Indonesia need to decide if the involvement more on gaining experience on Fighter development. While for KFX as products it self will be determined on overall cost in the market later on, for it's competitive edge.
Ahmad
Active Member
South Korea unveils indigenous AESA radar prototype for KF-X fighter
by Dae Young Kim
South Korea has unveiled an indigenous active electronically scanned-array (AESA) radar prototype for use by the Republic of Korea Air Force’s (RoKAF’s) next-generation multirole fighter aircraft, which is being developed under the Korean Fighter eXperimental (KF-X) programme.
The radar, which has been under development since 2016 by South Korean company Hanwha Systems and the country’s Agency for Defense Development (ADD), was unveiled in a ceremony held on 7 August, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
www.janes.com
by Dae Young Kim
South Korea has unveiled an indigenous active electronically scanned-array (AESA) radar prototype for use by the Republic of Korea Air Force’s (RoKAF’s) next-generation multirole fighter aircraft, which is being developed under the Korean Fighter eXperimental (KF-X) programme.
The radar, which has been under development since 2016 by South Korean company Hanwha Systems and the country’s Agency for Defense Development (ADD), was unveiled in a ceremony held on 7 August, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
South Korea unveils indigenous AESA radar prototype for KF-X fighter
South Korea has unveiled an indigenous active electronically scanned-array (AESA) radar prototype for use by the Republic of Korea Air Force’s (RoKAF’s) next-generation...
www.janes.com
Sandhi Yudha
Well-Known Member
That looks very compact for an airborn fighterjet radar.South Korea unveils indigenous AESA radar prototype for KF-X fighter
by Dae Young Kim
South Korea has unveiled an indigenous active electronically scanned-array (AESA) radar prototype for use by the Republic of Korea Air Force’s (RoKAF’s) next-generation multirole fighter aircraft, which is being developed under the Korean Fighter eXperimental (KF-X) programme.
The radar, which has been under development since 2016 by South Korean company Hanwha Systems and the country’s Agency for Defense Development (ADD), was unveiled in a ceremony held on 7 August, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
View attachment 47578
South Korea unveils indigenous AESA radar prototype for KF-X fighter
South Korea has unveiled an indigenous active electronically scanned-array (AESA) radar prototype for use by the Republic of Korea Air Force’s (RoKAF’s) next-generation...
Not many countries can develop such radars, specially advanced and AESA ones.
Ahmad
Active Member
According to other news, who has a complete report, the radar is better and more advance than the latest F 16 radar. If I am not mistaken F 16 block 70 also has AESA radar. So this is why I prefer Indonesia wait the acquisition of new fighter until KFX/IFX reach mass production scale inshaAllah in 2026 as plan. While acquiring Su 35 may be still a good choice considering its range and the ability to load many bombs.
Sandhi Yudha
Well-Known Member
Yes.
"Very few details have emerged about the AESA radar, which officials have described as a “state-of-the-art system capable of detecting and tracking more than 1,000 targets simultaneously."
Thats quite impressive!
The only problem is the current government, they are not o ly against KFX, but they just can not choose any fighterjet in the last 6 year.
"Very few details have emerged about the AESA radar, which officials have described as a “state-of-the-art system capable of detecting and tracking more than 1,000 targets simultaneously."
Thats quite impressive!
The only problem is the current government, they are not o ly against KFX, but they just can not choose any fighterjet in the last 6 year.
Ahmad
Active Member
They have chosen Su 35 but there is CATSA thing emerges, but I believe as India doesnt get sanction from USA with its latest acquisition, Indonesia should not be afraid of acquiring Su 35. And particularly after Biden get elected in November 2020. Furthermore, with the latest offer from Sukhoi to let Indonesia use Westernern avionics on Su 35, the probability to acquire Su 35 is getting bigger. Many people say that our Sukhoi cannot communicate with our western fighter, but with this new development that is not a problem anymore.
As for KFX/IFX, the indecisiveness of Indonesia government that can be seen from the fact that Indonesia is still renegotiating until August this year IMO reveals that Indonesia still want to be inside the program. After the program shows good progress this year, I can see the likelihood of Indonesia to leave the program is getting smaller than in previous year. Our defense spending for 2021 budget also has been set higher than previous pre covid 2020 defense budget and stand at 10 billion dollar, it is now waiting for parliament approval. With such amount of budget, financially speaking, we should be able to finance 20 % of KFX/IFX development cost.