South Korea began assembling the first flight prototype of a domestic fighter KF-X

South Korean company KAI (Korea Aerospace Industries) began assembling the first flight prototype of the promising fighter KF-X. A photograph of a partially assembled fuselage was published by the company's press service.

According to the company, the assembly of the first flight prototype of the promising Korean fighter KF-X should be completed in the spring of 2021, the first rollout of the aircraft is scheduled for April of the same year. The first flight of the prototype fighter is planned for 2022.

The development of the KF-X fighter is carried out jointly with Indonesia. Although it is claimed that work on it started in 2016, it was first announced back in 2001, and Indonesia joined the program in 2010.

Fuselage of the first prototype KF-X

The fighter is created in single and double versions, although previously only single was reported. In terms of aerodynamic layout, this is an almost complete “copy” of the American F-22, but slightly smaller. The aircraft will be 16,9 meters long, with a wingspan of 11,2 meters and a height of 4,7 meters. It is planned to install two engines General Electric F414. Maximum take-off weight is 25,4 tons. Speed ​​- up to 1,9 Mach. 10 suspension points for missiles, bombs and various hanging containers. In the first version - Block 1 - there are no internal compartments, this aircraft will be produced until 2028. The Block 2 version will go into production from 2029. It is stated that the second version will not have restrictions on the nomenclature of weapons.

The development of the fighter will be completed by 2026, the South Korean Air Force plans to acquire 120 new aircraft by 2032. New fighters will replace the obsolete F-4 Phantom II and F-5 Freedom Fighter / Tiger II.

Comments

[Victor_B]

This is a copy, who needs a copy!
Here the Chinese are copying American planes illegally, and the Koreans (South) can copy as much as possible.
And outwardly looks pretty.

[Zaurbek]

If only the design ..... and Koreans are more reverent about copyright, especially American. It is enough to study the development of the production of household and automotive electronics.

[Victor_B]

Quote: Zaurbek

If only the design ...

It is planned to install two engines General Electric F414.

Well, loose stuff on the floor of the plane.

[venik]

Quote: Zaurbek

and Koreans are more sensitive to copyright, especially to American

========
Don't tell! I saw this "reverent attitude": amersky microprocessors are stupid relabeled Koreans! Showed!

[svp67]

Quote: Victor_B

This is a copy, who needs a copy!

It looks interesting, only here about what stealth there can be a speech with such a suspension ...

And he is very similar to his Chinese "visa-a-vi" J-31

[Grazdanin]

Quote: svp67

And he is very similar

The laws of physics are one for all.

[post]

but fashionable, Korea is in trend

[sav]

Let's see what happens at the output.

[Kurare]

In the first version - Block 1 - there are no internal compartments, this aircraft will be produced until 2028.

It somehow even became strange, the KF-X is presented as a 5th generation aircraft, but initially All weapons are planned to be installed on external suspensions.

[Grazdanin]

Because the first version. Generally heard a lot about Korean aircraft?))

[Kurare]

Quote: Grazdanin

Because the first version. Generally heard a lot about Korean aircraft?))

Sounds like an excuse! The first series is not a plane, but the second ... And in general, Koreans do not understand anything in aircraft construction.

How many fifth generation aircraft have you (and not you) seen that are not created as the fifth generation?

[Grazdanin]

Before whom to otmazyvatsya? They are building the plane they need for their theater, and not for the fact that VO commentators recognized it as a 5th generation aircraft. He is rather FA18E, for their theater is a great solution, look at the replacement of which aircraft is being made. They will overpower this aircraft and begin to design another one, most likely in the image of the F35.

[svp67]

Quote: Kurare

, but initially they plan to install all weapons on external suspensions.

Not all...

[Kurare]

Quote: svp67

Not all...

And now in the text of the article:

In the first version - Block 1 - no internal compartments...

Backfill question: there are no internal compartments, where are we going to place "not all" weapons inside the airframe?

[svp67]

Quote: Kurare

A question for filling: there are no internal compartments, where will we put "not all" weapons inside the glider?

So in the photo there are no internal compartments, but there are "semi-recessed" ones in the case.

[Kurare]

The semi-recessed location of course reduces the EPR and drag, but this is not a sign of the so-called 5th generation. A similar arrangement is used on aircraft of previous generations, such as the MiG-31.

[svp67]

Quote: Kurare

but this is not a sign of the so-called 5th generation.

I will not argue that there is

[Kurare]

Quote: svp67

I will not argue that there is

...I agree. But what is - sincerely surprising!

[svp67]

Quote: Kurare

But what is - sincerely surprising!

I am more surprised why not the F-35? How many stealths does the Republic of Korea need? Two or three dozen ... for the sake of this so much costs ... Somehow, all this is not entirely clear, especially against an obviously weaker enemy in the air, which is the DPRK

[Kurare]

If you look at the history of South Korea's development over the past 20-30 years, this is just a giant leap. In shipbuilding (tankers, bulk carriers, etc.), they strangle everyone. Electronics - world class. Well, etc. Apparently, they set themselves the goal of creating their own aircraft industry and in the future to create competition for this type of "goods".

And no one can blame the Koreans that the state subsidizes its own aviation industry, since military aircraft do not fall into this category. Those. such a showdown between Boeing and Airbus will in principle not take place.

[Grazdanin]

They have a sea-view mountain and a theater of war, therefore, a twin-engine aircraft is primarily needed. Need a fighter-bomber. Therefore, external pendants. They need a plane like the Mig 29 or FA18E. So they do. They have already purchased F35, why do what is already there? Secondly, you can.

[The leader of the Redskins]

I'm trying to imagine a "quick and mirrored" response from North Korea, but I can't!))

[svp67]

Quote: Leader of the Redskins

I'm trying to imagine a "quick and mirrored" response from North Korea, but I can't!))

They will invent some kind of anti-aircraft system ...

[post]

for a long time ... noson, hwason, taphodon

[bayard]

Quote: Leader of the Redskins

I'm trying to imagine a "quick and mirrored" response from North Korea, but I can't!))

A few additional divisions of ballistic and aeroballistic missiles, and about specularity - several dozen J-31s from China.

[pytar]

I'm trying to imagine a "quick and mirrored" response from North Korea, but I can't!))

Damned amperialists, tremble!

The most important aviator of the universe, the invincible Kim Jong!

[Herman 4223]

Koreans present it as 4,5.

[APASUS]

Aerodynamically speaking, it is almost a complete "copy" of the American F-22, but slightly smaller. The aircraft will be 16,9 meters long, its wingspan is 11,2 meters, and its height is 4,7 meters. It is planned to install two General Electric F414 engines. The maximum take-off weight is 25,4 tons. Speed ​​- up to Mach 1,9. 10 suspension points for rockets, bombs and various overhead containers.

What is the point of copying the F-22 with its terrain inconspicuous for radars, if all the weapons are located on the suspension?

[Zeev zeev]

The point is that the aerodynamic design is good.

[APASUS]

Quote: ZeevZeev

The point is that the aerodynamic design is good.

The whole aerodynamic scheme is confused with "stealth" technology! All weapons that dangle on the suspension neutralize all stealth, then what are the advantages of this scheme, why bother so much

[Pavel57]

Americans are selling their projects - Lockheed sold the F-16 variant, which became the F-2 in Japan.
The Koreans also have Lockheed cooperation on a training aircraft.

Maybe here without Lockheed could not have done.

[NEOZ]

Quote: Pavel57

Maybe here without Lockheed could not have done.

100% is a lockhide project !!!

[Doccor18]

the first version - Block 1 - there are no internal compartments, this aircraft will be produced until 2028 

That is, from 2001 to 2028, and this is also the 4th generation. All weapons on external sling. Pride is only for what they themselves do, although the engine, again, is not its own ...

[Grazdanin]

This aircraft is most correctly compared with F / A-18E / F. For a theater of South Korea and designated tasks, the best option. The next plane will be closer to the F35. Aircraft like F22 are not popular, except that in Russia they make a similar airplane.

[rocket757]

What is the main message?
Themselves with a mustache, they say, do not want to depend on anyone.
Although the engines are imported, but dashing trouble began.
Stuff with their electronics and ala hoo, at the wine stores ... or where else they need it.

[NEOZ]

Quote: rocket757

Themselves with a mustache, they say, do not want to depend on anyone.

want is not harmful.

Quote: rocket757

Although the engines are imported, but dashing trouble began.

didn't start at all ...

Quote: rocket757

Stuff with their electronics and ala ulu

if the Americans allow ....

Quote: rocket757

or where else they need it.

where the Americans say - there it is!

[rocket757]

Quote: NEOZ

where the Americans say - there it is!

Everything has its time.
Some feel quite comfortable under the wing of a striped vulture, but .... as always, it is BUT.
Let's see how it goes further.

[Scipio]

Surprised that they still have phantoms and tigers

[NEOZ]

Quote: Scipio

Surprised that they still have phantoms and tigers

like Japan ... the United States does not give its colonies serious military capabilities .... otherwise the colony may become independent!

[Krasnodar]

So, their potential adversary is based on the Soviet MIG-23 and Mig-21, as well as their Chinese clones. The newest is about 70 Mig-29 and Su-25. (the latter still has about 100 Chinese clones). There are still 80 IL-28s - Soviet and Chinese
South Korea has about 120 F-16s and 60 F-15s in service, which is enough to gain air supremacy.
The rest is enough for an attack.

[voyaka uh]

They have already received 16-20 F-35s (I don’t know exactly). And until the end of 2021 it is planned to get all 40, if the virus does not interfere

[Kostadinov]

Quote: Leader of the Redskins

I'm trying to imagine a "quick and mirrored" response from North Korea, but I can't!))

In 2025 you will see.

[Dmitry Makarov]

So they don’t know how to make airplanes, looking at their gliders, it feels like trying to teach a bear to skate.
Guys-Koreans, Americans, Chinese and the rest for today ... this is not yours, forget about aviation - born to crawl, can’t fly.
We Russians do not meddle in your dirty deeds.

[Dmitry Makarov]

At one time, Detroit collapsed - and this is Ford, Chrysler, Generalmotors. In its place, but in another country, Hyundai, Kia, and Daewoo arose.
So I'm starting to worry about something for American aircraft manufacturers.