ROKAF stealth plane
- Thread starter nevidimka
- Start date
Doa
I've seen similar models posted in the past as KF-X concepts. This one seems to follow the same arrangement as most of the examples that I have seen - a design similar to some of the early F-35 concepts circulated by Lockheed Martin.
Proposals for South Korea to develop an indigenous, KF-X stealth fighter are generally regarded as dead on arrival, however. South Korea just doesn't have the deep pockets necessary to fund a development program of this magnitude, as attested to by the Korean Development Institute, a government supported think tank:
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/02/04/221251/south-koreas-kf-x-faces-setback.html
There hasn't been any budget behind this program other than concept studies and wind tunnel tests. Nothing approaching the billions needed to make it a reality.
I've seen similar models posted in the past as KF-X concepts. This one seems to follow the same arrangement as most of the examples that I have seen - a design similar to some of the early F-35 concepts circulated by Lockheed Martin.
Proposals for South Korea to develop an indigenous, KF-X stealth fighter are generally regarded as dead on arrival, however. South Korea just doesn't have the deep pockets necessary to fund a development program of this magnitude, as attested to by the Korean Development Institute, a government supported think tank:
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/02/04/221251/south-koreas-kf-x-faces-setback.html
There hasn't been any budget behind this program other than concept studies and wind tunnel tests. Nothing approaching the billions needed to make it a reality.
Indonesia is a going to be a part of it after all-
Indonesia confirms participation in South Korea KF-X programme
Indonesia confirms participation in South Korea KF-X programme
Twinblade
Member
Last time i heard, it was supposed to have two internal bays for a couple of meteors and two short ranged AAM's, and is being designed as a "hot-rod" like every other 5th gen (barring f-35), ei F-16-ish airframe with two 10 ton engines.
Funny thing is, there are 3 Asian countries (apart from China) that do not consider each other to be strategically hostile, each having only one 4th gen under their belt, trying to build 5th gens in nearly the same class and nearly the same role, with nearly the same delivery dates. Is there anybody else here that thinks that they should be working together ?
what 3 countries is this
The Typhoon's chances will be improved if it wins the Indian competition. I don't give the PAK-FA much chance but I'm glad they made the lsit. If the Russians participate, this would be the first international competition for their new jet and we are bound to learn more about its capabilities. The Silent Eagle is really a paper airplane at this stage and Boeing will probably go all out as its the first serious interest in the concept.
My money is on the F-35 as the most advanced and the best overall performer in the bunch and the favorite to win it all. The shared history with the US and existing defense ties will also factor in.
Twinblade
Member
no doubt f-35 is the front runner as
1. f-15 SE doesn't have a prototype yet
2. Pak-Fa is far from a production variant, doesn't have the final engines and avionics yet.
3. Eurofighter is seriously lacking in low observability.
Last edited:
I haven't found a whole lot on quite exactly are the SKoreans looking for. Are they just looking for reasonable upgrade/replacement of equipment than F15SE will be quite good, nothing drastically new, already F15K in service, should be no big surprise price wise. SK can go with Eurofighter also, very good technically, might be a bit pricey but they should get plenty of industrial work and exchanges of tech. And if Skorea gets India to pay for all the work on the new goodies, why not, let someone else develop it with their money and buy when it is ready.
I really don't see LO as being a major issue, how much is it really required when your main adversary is NKorea? Do you really want to spend billions more because...? The main Nkorean SAM is S125/S200, not exactly new or little understood by Western forces. You probably could buy some Growlers for a heck of a lot less than how much you would have to spend on LO technology acquisition and maintenance.
If PAKFA is an option, well, my guess is SK would only buy that if they feel China is a bigger threat down the road than NK. NK flies some old Mig21s and a few Mig29s and you really have to wonder how much flight time a NKorean pilot gets with the penury of gas in that country. I haven't heard of China donating J10s or J11s to NKorea so why would you buy such a massively superior fighter to what ever Nkorea is going to have? Considering the amount of business SKorea does now with China, Nkorea is almost more of a headache than an asset to China, again, notice how little military equipment has been sent to NK by China or Russia for that matter in the last couple of years. Speaking of Russia, if there is a chance of SK buying PAFKA, with REAL hard currency not whatever NKorea has, I think Russia will quickly forget Nkorea even exists.
F35 could be in play but when will it be available to Skorea? Again, it might be a bit too much technology for the mission. One thing though that could come in handy and I haven't seen LMT talk about this, which is strange in my opinion is SK actually could really use the F35B! Because of all the artillery Nkorea posses and well known location of all air bases in Skorea subject to all kinds of attacks, F35B actually makes a lot of sense in that theater. Also SK isn't the Middle East weather/heat wise so F35 won't have to battle extreme heat there and mission ranges should be quite acceptable. F35 is no Harrier (no taking off in the parking lot) but the fact is you should be able to deploy it at numerous locations around the country after the main runways are taken out. If LMT can come up with a decent package and availability, they should have a good shot at this one.
I really don't see LO as being a major issue, how much is it really required when your main adversary is NKorea? Do you really want to spend billions more because...? The main Nkorean SAM is S125/S200, not exactly new or little understood by Western forces. You probably could buy some Growlers for a heck of a lot less than how much you would have to spend on LO technology acquisition and maintenance.
If PAKFA is an option, well, my guess is SK would only buy that if they feel China is a bigger threat down the road than NK. NK flies some old Mig21s and a few Mig29s and you really have to wonder how much flight time a NKorean pilot gets with the penury of gas in that country. I haven't heard of China donating J10s or J11s to NKorea so why would you buy such a massively superior fighter to what ever Nkorea is going to have? Considering the amount of business SKorea does now with China, Nkorea is almost more of a headache than an asset to China, again, notice how little military equipment has been sent to NK by China or Russia for that matter in the last couple of years. Speaking of Russia, if there is a chance of SK buying PAFKA, with REAL hard currency not whatever NKorea has, I think Russia will quickly forget Nkorea even exists.
F35 could be in play but when will it be available to Skorea? Again, it might be a bit too much technology for the mission. One thing though that could come in handy and I haven't seen LMT talk about this, which is strange in my opinion is SK actually could really use the F35B! Because of all the artillery Nkorea posses and well known location of all air bases in Skorea subject to all kinds of attacks, F35B actually makes a lot of sense in that theater. Also SK isn't the Middle East weather/heat wise so F35 won't have to battle extreme heat there and mission ranges should be quite acceptable. F35 is no Harrier (no taking off in the parking lot) but the fact is you should be able to deploy it at numerous locations around the country after the main runways are taken out. If LMT can come up with a decent package and availability, they should have a good shot at this one.
Twinblade
Member
The inclusion of the 4 of the 5 most advanced non-chinese fighters suggests that S.Korea is thinking way beyond N.Korea, particularly about new neighbours after a possible reunification.
Stealth shouldn't be looked at as a luxury IMO but rather as a necessity to enhance completion of mission and survivability. Its not just enemy fighters that have to be considered. The threat from SAMs, even relatively outdated ones, is very real. Much care has to be given to route planning, suppression, etc. to deal with the threat when employing non-stealthy aircraft. Modern SAMs would be even deadlier.
I'd read many months back that Boeing had selected a South Korean firm to build the CFT/weapons bays for the SE if ever the project pushed through. Too bad Boeing's not willing to fund the several $billion development cost for the jet.. good luck finding a customer willing to foot the bill and the risks inherent in a multi-year development effort.
The SE would have been great 10 years ago and would compare favorably with the latest Su-35 IMO.
The SE would have been great 10 years ago and would compare favorably with the latest Su-35 IMO.
Twinblade
Member
Agreed. If silent eagle would have been launched 10 years back, it would have been the first choice for Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, SIngapore and Israel and might have even forced the euro canards to come out with "silent" weapons pod and weapon carrying CFT's of their own.
I suppose both are equally multi role. Even the Su-35s is much delayed.
Twinblade
Member
Su-34, is what you get when you mate su-24 with a flankerNot so twinblade.
The F-15E direct VVS adversery would be the Su-34, not the Su-35S.
Yes The Su-35 will have multirole, but nevertheless its a air superority fighter, more like F-15C golden eagle and such..
The Su-35S delayed..
it has an unmatched class of its own. Correct me if i am wrong, wasn't Su-35 program started in early 90's, stalled, then came out with a prototype which influenced MKI/M/A, then went back to the freezer and then came back with a vengeance in the current form promising f-35 type electro-optics, improved FCS and 3D tvc ?
Last edited:
Haavarla
Active Member
You are mixing the older Su-35/37 program.
Sukhoi did not get any export deal on them and sinse it was in the 90's RuAF did not order any for several reasons.
The Su-35S come from a newer program called Su-35BM.
I think it started in 2004 or was it in 2006, the first prototype flew in 2008.
Its two different program, and has very little in comon.
Sukhoi did not get any export deal on them and sinse it was in the 90's RuAF did not order any for several reasons.
The Su-35S come from a newer program called Su-35BM.
I think it started in 2004 or was it in 2006, the first prototype flew in 2008.
Its two different program, and has very little in comon.
Haavarla
Active Member
The Su-34 is the Su-24M replacement.Su-34, is what you get when you mate su-25 with a flanker
It has nothing to do with Su-25.
Twinblade
Member
just a typo
i edited my post.Found this report on South Korea wanting to evaluate the Sukhoi T-50-
South Korea to evaluate PAK-FA fighter, reports claim
South Korea to evaluate PAK-FA fighter, reports claim
I'm wondering if the Russians will actually participate given they're less than a year into flight test and the PAK-FA still has a long way to go before it reaches frontline squadrons. A realistic estimate says it will take perhaps 10 years to work out the bugs regardless of what the manufacturer and government claim.
I think the Koreans would actually be more interested in the Indian version the FGFA which is projected to have a stronger A2G capability than its PAK-FA sibling but the former is even further behind in development.. I'm not even sure if the partnership/financing have been formalized, much less the design.
A lot will depend on the when the Koreans need the jet. Price is always a copnsideration and the PAK-FA isn;t going to be cheap. When the F-35 reaches volume production, it may very well be the cheapest among the four contenders.. we shall see.
I think the Koreans would actually be more interested in the Indian version the FGFA which is projected to have a stronger A2G capability than its PAK-FA sibling but the former is even further behind in development.. I'm not even sure if the partnership/financing have been formalized, much less the design.
A lot will depend on the when the Koreans need the jet. Price is always a copnsideration and the PAK-FA isn;t going to be cheap. When the F-35 reaches volume production, it may very well be the cheapest among the four contenders.. we shall see.