South Korea called the timing of the creation of the first prototype of the KF-X fighter

The first prototype of the promising South Korean fighter KF-X will be created in the first half of next, 2021. This was reported by the South Korean National Defense Development Agency.

According to the agency, currently the South Korean corporation KAI (Korea Aerospace Industries) has already started the final stage of assembling the first prototype. The start of assembly was announced at the beginning of July this year at the corporation's facility in Sacheon, 440 kilometers south of Seoul.

Earlier, KAI said that the rollout of the first flight prototype of the KF-X fighter is scheduled for April 2021. The first flight of the prototype fighter is scheduled for 2022.

The fighter is being created in single and double versions, although previously only a single was reported. Aerodynamically speaking, it is almost a complete "copy" of the American F-22, but slightly smaller. 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. 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 range 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

[Grazdanin]

In fact, an analogue of the F / A-18E / F Advanced Super Hornet. Nice and necessary car, block 2 should be more interesting.

[Safevi2020]

Quote: Grazdanin

In fact, an analogue of the F / A-18E / F Advanced Super Hornet.

But it looks more like the F-22 Raptor. I wonder whose engine will be installed ... ……….

[Grazdanin]

This is outwardly. The engine is from the Super Hornet. General Electric F414 is installed on F / A-18E / F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler, Mako, Gripen NG

[vVvAD]

It's written

Aerodynamically speaking, it is almost a complete "copy" of the American F-22, but slightly smaller.

10 suspension points for rockets, bombs and various overhead containers.

Interestingly, and the technological holes for the pylons will strongly bring its EPR closer to the F-22?

[Mavrikiy]

South Korea called the timing of the creation of the first prototype of the KF-X fighter

These can, but also an airplane of 25 tons. It is 2 times heavier than Phy-4,5, whom it replaces.

[APASUS]

The Koreans have a very strange decision: they copy the aerodynamic scheme of the F-22 and put all the weapons on an external suspension.

[Grazdanin]

In fact, they need a second plane to pair with the F35. More bomber / attack aircraft than fighter. In the USA, this role is played by the F-15EX and F / A-18E / F. It is impossible to cram the entire range of aviation weapons into the internal compartments.

[Magic archer]

The Black Panther was built (albeit with the help of foreign firms) and the result was a good, modern tank. So the fighter will be finished. The only bad thing for Koreans is its export future. If the Americans do not give the go-ahead, the Koreans will not sell anything.

[Grazdanin]

In the US, an analogue of the KF-X is only planned. With a stretch, the Advanced Super Hornet is suitable for the role of an analogue. Considering that the Japanese and the Turks are planning such aircraft, the export potential of the KF-X is high. The right car in a relatively empty market. Relatively old and reliable engines are rather a plus.

[Magic archer]

Americans move everywhere F-35. And here "almost" F-22 is in the competition!))) So I'm almost sure that Americans don't need a competitor. Time will tell which of us was right

[Grazdanin]

The F35 and KF-X are not even close competitors to each other. Completely different aircraft for different missions.

[donavi49]

A huge number of American components did not prevent KAI from successfully selling the T-50 to the market. Including Duterte, who swore at the then Obama. And Iraq. And sanctioned Indonesia. And to Thailand.

[vVvAD]

Rodrigo Duerte ... I think he would have broken with the United States long ago if he could. The Philippines is a small country, dependent and therefore influenced in a number of ways. Getting rid of them, and, preferably, without falling into a critical dependence on alternative centers of power for her, is not an easy or quick matter.

[Grazdanin]

The T50 also has General Electric engines, although the F404 from Hornet.

[askort154]

The development of the fighter should be completed by 2026, the South Korean Air Force plans to acquire 120 new aircraft by 2032.

An interesting solution. What, not enough funds for the F-35?
In 2014, we signed up for the purchase of 40 units. F-35, then decided to increase to 80 units. Or disappointed in the F-35?

[Grazdanin]

South Korea doubles the number of purchased F-35 fighters

https://topwar.ru/174626-juzhnaja-koreja-udvaivaet-kolichestvo-zakupaemyh-istrebitelej-f-35.html

[Grazdanin]

The F35 and KF-X are completely different aircraft for different missions. It's like an F35C with an F / A-18E / F in the Navy and an F35A with an F-15EX in the Air Force. The United States has forgotten to create a replacement for the F-15EX and F / A-18E / F, so Koreans, Turks and Japanese are bustling about. Don't worry about the F35, it will be the same as the F16, the most massive 5th generation aircraft.

[Reserve buildbat]

It is not excluded. But the Fu-16 became the most popular because of its good characteristics at that time at a relatively reasonable price, and if the Fu-35 becomes the most popular, it will only be due to its being forced into everyone. Since in terms of characteristics, it does not even reach the 4th generation everywhere.

[Grazdanin]

Quote: Stroibat stock

fu-16 became the most popular because of its good characteristics at that time at a relatively reasonable price

The same about the F35, it is cheaper than the 5th generation aircraft and the latest modifications of the majority of the 4th generation aircraft.

Quote: Stroibat stock

Since in terms of characteristics, it does not even reach the 4th generation everywhere.

And by what parameters is the F35 worse than the F-16, A-10, F / A-18, AV-8B?

[Reserve buildbat]

1. Where is it cheaper? Compare prices As far as I remember, the fu-35 is still promised to be brought to a cost of 84 lema apiece. And they are modestly silent that it is without an engine and half of the software.
2. Worse than the Fu-16 in speed and maneuverability, and at the same time in the range of weapons.
3. Worse than the A-10 in terms of the quality and composition of weapons, in terms of survivability, and in terms of the effectiveness of "work" on ground targets.
3. Worse f / a-18 in speed, maneuverability, composition and quality of weapons, reliability.
4.av-8b - yes. This is an exception. Only the Yak-38 was worse. But here you can understand. Firstborns.

[Grazdanin]

1. Compared. F-16V Block70 / 72 120-150 million F15EX 130-160 million Su35 104 million Rafale 120-240 million, Typhoon 124 million. Moreover, the price of Russian and European fighters of 2012-2015, now they are higher. Even if the engine with software is a quarter of the price of the F35, it will be cheaper or the same.
2. The speed is higher than F16 without armament, we will hang 4 AIM120 will be the same.
Maneuverability: The thrust-to-weight ratio is higher for the F35, the rate of climb is higher for the F16, the G-forces are the same. Parity.
The armament range is higher for the F16 due to the fact that it is older; some of the old ones were not adapted for the F35. Over time, the F35 will have more nomenclature, the F16 will not be adapted for new missiles.
3. For nomenclature see F16. The classic "attack" has not been used for a long time on the A10. It is a platform for guided weapons, no matter which platform to launch it from. All its pluses of the attack aircraft are not relevant, the minuses are superior.
4. For nomenclature see F16. The Hornet's speed and maneuverability are slightly higher, with 4 AIM 120 or analogs in size, these parameters will drop. We need an assessment in real combat missions. Reliability is not known yet, for example, the F35A has higher reliability than the F16.
5. No questions asked.

PS For the price, the F35 already outperforms almost all the latest modifications of normal 4-5 generation aircraft, its speed and maneuverability characteristics are at the level of the aircraft it replaces, stealth and computing power are one head and two heads higher, respectively. If you look without prejudice and politota, then the picture is like this. All this does not make the F2 the best aircraft in the world (this principle is not possible), but it is extremely attractive for buyers in terms of price / performance ratio. Therefore, the turn is on him for years to come.

[Reserve buildbat]

"The best plane in the world", which cannot use the afterburner, cannot fire a cannon, cannot fly in bad weather, since it has no lightning protection, cannot fly above 7 km, since constant problems with oxygen equipment have migrated to it with a fu-22, well, to a heap, has such disgusting aerodynamics that a brick flies better.
And I didn't even touch the software.
In general, to say "the best plane in the world" about a bunch of shortcomings, in which there are only about 1000 critical ones, as the mattress makers themselves claim, is a wonderful example of the thoughtless belief that "American = the best!" Which is essentially a mattress-patriotic nonsense.

[Grazdanin]

Quote: Grazdanin

It's all doesn't do F35 is the best airplane in the world (this principle is not possible)

Read better.

Quote: Stroibat stock

who cannot use the afterburner, cannot fire a cannon, cannot fly in bad weather, since it does not have lightning protection, cannot fly above 7 km, since constant problems with oxygen equipment migrated to him from the fu-22, well, to a heap, has such disgusting aerodynamics that the brick flies better.
And I didn't even touch the software.

Hmm ... as soon as you start to figure it out, the transition to emotions begins, but all aircraft have problems during implementation. So it was and will be. They are being resolved. How much Su was lost during the start of operation? Of course, you can keep silent about them, but this does not change the situation.

[Reserve buildbat]

What does emotion have to do with it? Are you generally aware that for almost all critical shortcomings, the mattresses refused to make corrections, but simply introduced restrictions on flight modes, the use of weapons, etc.? By the way, what did you put in numbers there? Except prices - nothing And by the way, the engine plus software for the fu-35 comes out as if not more expensive than the airframe, which is sold for 84 lem.

[Grazdanin]

Quote: Stroibat stock

Except prices - nothing

I at least brought them, while everything you say is an empty sabotage based on avia.pro and Yandex.Dzen.

[SovAr238A]

Quote: askort154

The development of the fighter should be completed by 2026, the South Korean Air Force plans to acquire 120 new aircraft by 2032.

An interesting solution. What, not enough funds for the F-35?
In 2014, we signed up for the purchase of 40 units. F-35, then decided to increase to 80 units. Or disappointed in the F-35?

They just develop their competencies.
Did you think about this option?
If there is a competitive school of design, manufacturing, sales, after-sales support and service, and it really works smoothly and makes money - then why give it up?

[Grazdanin]

Quote: SovAr238A

They just develop their competencies.

There is no supply on the market for aircraft of this class. There are only "old" 4 ki. F15 / 18, Su30 / 35, Rafal, Typhoon. The United States is just launching a project to replace the F / A-18E / F, F15 and is not thinking of changing it.

[Thrifty]

In fact, over time, they can enter the arms market with this aircraft, and press the Chinese in the region, with their crafts.

[Oleg Olkha]

You can already look at the assembly ...

[Pavel57]

And the Americans will not impose an embargo on the engines?

[SovAr238A]

Quote: Pavel57

And the Americans will not impose an embargo on the engines?

The Swedes are allowed ...

[Pavel57]

Quote: Pavel57

And the Americans will not impose an embargo on the engines?

At one time, the engines were one of the problems with the supply of Wiggen to India.

[viktor_ui]

The level of automation in the assembly of glider blocks is a pleasure from just one viewing What do we have? Is there anything like that?

[Pavel57]

Quote: viktor_ui

automation of assembly of glider blocks

Automation is not an end in itself, but a means for solving certain problems.

[SovAr238A]

Quote: Pavel57

Quote: viktor_ui

automation of assembly of glider blocks

Automation is not an end in itself, but a means for solving certain problems.

When this "remedy":
improves build quality,
speeds up assembly,
reduces assembly costs,
Then it must become an end in itself ...

[Pavel57]

SovAr238A (Al), did you automate production? If automation is based on Western technologies, then these are now additional risks.

[SovAr238A]

Quote: Pavel57

SovAr238A (Al), did you automate production? If automation is based on Western technologies, then these are now additional risks.

He began work at the 18th aircraft plant.
Assembly work is a "sign" :).
Then the conveyors of the foundry PPU and ABS-plastic.

Then he left direct production, but I regularly visit specialized production facilities.

About the risks, yes, I agree.
History with Czech machine tools on hearing.