Frogfigther
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Long Range A2G Missile for KF-X. It is based on KPED 350.
KAI KF-21 Boramae (KFX Korean Indigenous Fighter program)
Long Range A2G Missile for KF-X. It is based on KPED 350.
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awesome new video of KFX yesterday
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uS8Q7DQ8t68
here's some screenshots i took
seems like they installed the AESA radar
The main body has finally been assembled together.
Also note the second KFX in the background
Space for where the two weapons bay would be. But this version will not use it for now. the internal bay is for future versions.
here's some screenshots i took
seems like they installed the AESA radar
The main body has finally been assembled together.
Also note the second KFX in the background
Space for where the two weapons bay would be. But this version will not use it for now. the internal bay is for future versions.
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I'm curious if all 3 would be flying. Like.. one could be a static test frame.
FighterJock
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I would be surprised if all three would be flying prototypes, at least one should be left out for static testing. Though I wonder how many prototypes are being built of the KFX?
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Havent heard of any figure. Except that one would be for Indonesia so it would be at least "N+1" I would expect something like 10 tho. Mainly for risk reduction, and to help spreading the development costs even more.
From what I understand it is equivalent to the standard -400 model but just assembled by Hanwha with some parts made under licence.
Mirage4000
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i think this aircraft will be an ultra expensive program, highly limited to South Korea at the most, produced in small numbers at a very high price like the F-2 from Japan, they will need to pay royalties to Lockheed and going to be limited for exports to do not compete with F-35, honestly not a very original nor beautiful aircraft.
I prefer Rafale, well just kidding i like more Rafale, but well that is just my point of view not necesarelly the truth
I prefer Rafale, well just kidding i like more Rafale, but well that is just my point of view not necesarelly the truth
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rather than spend money to complete the project with Korea and advance their own domestic industry
Indonesia prefers to import bits and pieces of various aircraft. a few rafales here? a few typhoons there? a few su-35?
en.yna.co.kr
Indonesia prefers to import bits and pieces of various aircraft. a few rafales here? a few typhoons there? a few su-35?
Negotiations under way with Indonesia over fighter jet project: official | Yonhap News Agency
SEOUL, Feb. 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is in talks with Indonesia about a joint project to ...
You're assuming there is a coherent, coordinated strategy here? Having had experience with the Indonesian Military and the way procurements/support decisions and the associated budgeting decisions are made, I would say that this is non-existent.
Frogfigther
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KF-X Prototype #1
Ground/flight test during 2022~2026
Landing gears, flaperons are installed.
ECM Antenna at a main wing
8 prototypes are made. Two are for the ground structural test, other prototypes are for the flight test
Anti-Radiation Missile for KF-X
- Target performance: AARGM
- KF-X will require an exclusive targeting pod similar to HTS Pod for the full capabilities
Supersonic Air-to-Surface Missile for KF-X
- Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet
- M2.5~3.5 or more
- Ka-band PESA seeker
- < 3000 Pounds
- Low-Observable design
Source
쉘든의 밀리터리 : 네이버 블로그
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is it just me or is the actual cockpit canopy glass longer and larger now
compared to the mock up?
looks better and more balanced imho
compared to the mock up?
looks better and more balanced imho
6 prototypes and 2 static testbeds.
Uhh, watcha talking about "paying royalties to LM"? If anything, you're talking out of your ass. Their role in this program is limited to technical assistance, which is an offset deal included in the 3rd F-X program that led to the procurement of F-35s, thus LM as TAC.
Also it is a well known truth that a country who could afford and would be granted access by the US congress to buy F-35s would not buy this plane. And that's not that great of a deal. There do exist countries to whom US would be hesitant or straight up decline the sales of F-35. KF-X is meant to compete in thoses markets. Lastly if anything, export isn't and will not be the primary goal of this program.
The most important part is creating a domestic platform. ROKAF's plan is to replace KF-16s with further development of this aircraft so your F-2 anology is not really fitting.
Also if you want to see something beautiful you've gotta go to design schools not look out for fighter planes. Giving biased or outright wrong thoughts based on your personal preference isn't really productive.
If anyone's interested in manufacturing process automation, I recommend watching the footage starting from 7:53 mark. This time they've let the crew to film a longer footage of FASS and LRDS, both done by automated machines.
Deltafan
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Indonesia's plan to purchase F-15EX, Rafale jets 'separate' from KF-X joint figther development program
Indonesia's plan to purchase F-15EX, Rafale jets 'separate' from KF-X joint fighter development program: DAPA | Yonhap News Agency
SEOUL, Feb. 20 -- South Korea's arms procurement agency said Saturday that Indonesia&...
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thats good.. I think.
Indonesia's plan to purchase F-15EX, Rafale jets 'separate' from KF-X joint figther development program
Indonesia's plan to purchase F-15EX, Rafale jets 'separate' from KF-X joint fighter development program: DAPA | Yonhap News Agency
SEOUL, Feb. 20 -- South Korea's arms procurement agency said Saturday that Indonesia&...
but that begs the question
1. If they can afford to buy F-15s and Rafales, then why can't they afford to pay their share of KFX development? they are behind schedule
2. Do they really intend to keep operating hawk 200, f-16s, Su-27, Su-30, F-15, Rafale, and KFX? I feel something has got to give.
Should the hawk be retired since its the least capable and oldest of the group?
what about the Flankers? they seem relatively new but there are spare problems according to stealthflanker.
I stand corrected:
www.flightglobal.com
Seoul says Jakarta still in KF-X despite Rafale, F-15EX talk
South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) insists that Indonesia is still committed to the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) KF-X fighter programme, despite media reports that Jakarta will obtain Dassault Rafales and Boeing F-15EX fighters in the coming years.
www.flightglobal.com
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thats good. I think its imperative that Indonesia stays in.
Unlike the F-15, Rafale, or Flankers.. the KFX is something Indonesia actually has some ownership of. Like the CN-235
it's important for their domestic industry
I hope its a type they can standardize around in the 2030s. Alongside whatever they decide to go with.. F-15s, Rafales, more F-16s or Flankers.
but perhaps reduce a few types. not sure which.
supposedly the KFX is to replace the Hawk (i thought the Golden Eagle was supposed to do that)
Unlike the F-15, Rafale, or Flankers.. the KFX is something Indonesia actually has some ownership of. Like the CN-235
it's important for their domestic industry
I hope its a type they can standardize around in the 2030s. Alongside whatever they decide to go with.. F-15s, Rafales, more F-16s or Flankers.
but perhaps reduce a few types. not sure which.
supposedly the KFX is to replace the Hawk (i thought the Golden Eagle was supposed to do that)
I think Indonesia has been purchasing many different defensive equipment from different countries due to their trauma of the past arms embargo which was quite impactful to their ability of maintaining their equipment and purchasing new spare parts.
Hence nowadays, they want to "spread their investment". Now, I don't know if this is the right call because ofc standardisation, cross-compatibility, and streamlining the logistics are important but at least this may give an insight on why they want to have some "varieties in their inventory".
Not sure though idk.
Hence nowadays, they want to "spread their investment". Now, I don't know if this is the right call because ofc standardisation, cross-compatibility, and streamlining the logistics are important but at least this may give an insight on why they want to have some "varieties in their inventory".
Not sure though idk.
It would probably be the Flankers which were purchased in the 2000s that they would retire, could be a premature one as well, given the growing difficulties surrounding its maintenance due to various reasons and their shift to STANAG weaponry. I've heard somewhere that those Rafales are meant to do that. One's got to remember that during 2018 they've only planned to procure 11 or so Flankers, which are now replaced with plans to buy 8 Eagles. Going extra with those Rafales are in order to replace the Flanker AFAIK. I don't think that they will ditch the Flankers right away though, as they are modernizing it.
T-50 replaced the normal trainer variants of the Indonesian Hawks and the Indonesians plan to upgrade it to FA-50 standard so that it could also do some LIFT role.
IF-X replaces the Hawk 200 variants they operate and the F-16s. Their F-16s are either from the late 80s ~ early 90s (block 15 models) or refurbished (block 32 models) so by 2030 it really needs some replacement. Now they're upgrading the block 15 models with some new avionics and structural reinforcement, which is not the case for the refurbished block 32 models, so those block 32 Falcons would be the ones to get replaced first should the IF-X program continue.
I am happy to be corrected if anything's wrong.
Lockheed Martin has reportedly given (I imagine that means sold) 8 of the 12 technologies that KFX team required. Now - it's perfectly possible that a tech transfer contract has an article in it where the seller retains control of who the product of the technology used to make the plane goes to. Exactly the same issue is now being used against Chinese chipmakers, for example. They can't sell their chips because the machines that make the chips are not indigenous, even though the chips themselves are.
Furthermore, KFX has US engines. So there might be some influence of various US parties through that piece of leverage as well. "You want to sell KFX to country XYZ? Sorry, no engines for those airframes"
And in all likelihood there are bound to be some more US sourced systems, besides engines, to be used in KFX.
So... overall, I don't think KFX will be selling a lot outside the two countries that ordered it. If for some reason US can't sell F-35s, F-18s, F-15s or F-16s to that country - then sure, those might sell. But when one removes countries that might otherwise be interested in those types - there aren't that many affluent countries left that would be interested in KFX.
Furthermore, KFX has US engines. So there might be some influence of various US parties through that piece of leverage as well. "You want to sell KFX to country XYZ? Sorry, no engines for those airframes"
And in all likelihood there are bound to be some more US sourced systems, besides engines, to be used in KFX.
So... overall, I don't think KFX will be selling a lot outside the two countries that ordered it. If for some reason US can't sell F-35s, F-18s, F-15s or F-16s to that country - then sure, those might sell. But when one removes countries that might otherwise be interested in those types - there aren't that many affluent countries left that would be interested in KFX.
Most of the avionics are Korean but as you suggest, there are indeed some critical components like Cobham's conformal antennas or UMS MMIC modules which are being imported as well.
Talking 'bout hat UMS MMIC, it will be replaced with the Korean one which is currently at TRL 7 (and has more peak power) once the mass production begins, so that's at least one less concern. From what I know, the Korean avionics engineers opted for Qorvo MMICs at first but soon changed to UMS due to US restrictions so there are already some hurdles concerning the US EL restrictions which are present.
Tbh iþt ain't really new that Korean defense manufacturers doesn't get to sell their weapons where they want to due to imported components or techonolgical origins. For example they wanted to sell their ALQ-200K jammer pods to, was it Pakistan? I can't remember exactly but to a certain central Asian/middle eastern country but got denied by the US because the technology is based on the ALQ-88K jamming pod, which was developed with transfer of technology from the US. Another case was when US denied the sales of FA-50 to once again another central Asian/middle eastern country.
Even if we suppose a case in which KF-X is developed completely by Korea all alone without any help or tech from LM/US and is completely indigenous from nose to tail except for the engines, US would obviously have control over where the KF-X would able to be exported and where not. It doesnt really matter if this jet has one US component/tech or hundreds as long as it is powered by an American engine.
Also there were some difficulties settling down the terms on which Indonesia gets to participate in the program due to those tech from the US. Obviously there is no transfer of amy technology Korea gained from the US to Indonesia as it stands and rightfully so.
There's also the problem you are mentioning about US' denial of its sales in those markets where it competes with US products. From what I know that was also the problem the Gripen was faced with during the early days when A/B models were being produced.
Thinking further about those cases where the US can't sell its own fighter jets, I could think of :
1. Case of Brazil, where they are not necessarily an adversary or anything but incidents occur where US is in trouble and tries to save face.
2. KF-X is reasonably cheaper than the US counterparts (hey, only supposing such case. I don't claim it will be so don't hang me) that the US can't oppose its sales.
3. US being concerned of their 4.5 gen technologies being leaked or are hesitant because of the diplomatic relationship with said country that's not neccesarily bad nor good so they allow the KF-X to be sold imstead which is still essentially an aircraft with foreign avionics.
If I could say anything, all those cases I could come up with are extremely rare. So it would probably compete with other US made 4.5 gen aircrafts.
Then again later Gripens had close to none US restriction on Sweden selling their jets but were just not sold because it was too expensive for what it could do.
Talking about over seas sales prospects, I don' t really think there is a world where KF-X does super well in export market. It would rather struggle considering the fact that 4.5 gen fighters like the Super Bug and Rafale which has similar capabilities to their Korean counterpart would be well in production going into 30s and thus would have established supply chain and operating ecosystem as well as the reputation which the KF-X wouldn't have, say, at least for the first 5 years of its production. Maybe even 10 or more.
So all in all, I don't think that the US would put hard restrictions on its export as long as it complies to their foreign policy, just like in the case of Gripen. Again just like Gripen, it would rather come down to the question of "if this jet would be more favorable" than the French and American counterparts. Gripen had a hard time answering the question with "yes" and we'll get to see if that's the case for KF-X as well.
Also there is probably no chance where a country that could afford and would be granted the license to purchase the F-35 would buy this jet. So in the sense of not harming the US aviation industry, KF-X probably wouldn't be much of a concern because it was not born to compete with their biggest defense program.
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off the top of my head.. some issues Koreans had
Argentina - they tried to sell FA-50s there. But it fell through. not because of US parts but UK parts. Last I heard the Koreans were trying to replace it with something local. But tbh.. not sure if Argentina can buy any western combat aircraft due to the UK relationship
Turkey - Turks Altay tank is basically a souped up K2 black panther tank. After Erdogan's foreign policy moves, the tank's progress has been set back due to unavailability of parts. They went back to the Koreans for help but the Koreans can't do anything as their own version, engine is German, and they use French for another part. two countries that are not Turkish friendly at the moment.
Nah, Altay wasn't really Korean's business anymore once the development was over. They have fulfilled all their obligations and was paid for. All that left was supplying some parts like suspension system to Turkey. Also nothing is French in K-2. It's a misconception because the autoloader looks similar. The only important part left that is imported is the Renk transmission. Koreans are having a hard time developing their own.
The actual problem Korea had with exporting armored vehicles that has German powerpack in it was when Hanwha tried to sell the K-9 to UAE. Last year it came close to inking the deal but didn't realise due to German restrictions of selling weapon related systems to this region.
It could be a problem for KF-X as well as it plans to use IRIS-T. The US hasn't let the integration license of AIM-9X and AIM-120, citing that there exists no aircraft with which the integration could take place. KAI is therefore planning to obtain integration license once they roll-out to prototype. Until then, it would remain an uncertainty and potentially and obstacle in its way to foreign sales.
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sorry i was referring to Altay and the French armor it cant use anymore
Turkey in talks with South Korea to salvage Altay tank program
A source with knowledge of Turkey's Altay program has told Defense News that the country is negotiating with a South Korean firm in an attempt to recover the struggling project.
www.defensenews.com
Frogfigther
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Engines are finally installed.
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I'm jealous!... I can't get rid of the feeling that this should be the result of a joint development program for a multirole combat aircraft a bunch of European nations should have started 20 years ago 
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here is a second video that shows the front shot and cockpit shot
From the first video, you can see all 4 KFXs down the line being assembled
Turkey feathers!! not serrated though
from the 2nd video. close up of the seat.
wow, Turkey should have really stayed in this program and hopefully Indonesia can resolve their differences with KAI.
i also agree with VTOLdelicious, that its something Europe should have had already but I had a feeling that them going in the 4.5 route in the 90s/2000s reduced the chance of them going 5th gen, and why they're probably gonna skip to 6th gen.
kaiserd
I really should change my personal text
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But the KFX itself is a 4.5th generation aircraft (with later versions intended to evolve towards something more akin to a 5th generation aircraft).
Hence this is something equivalent to a Typhoon or Rafale but decades later.
Fair dues to South Korea, a proud achievement for their aircraft industry, but not something that the European (including UK) aviation industry needs or should be especially envious of.
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^ i would assume it is likely to have a significantly lower RCS value
and later versions will have an internal bay.
You can see the bay space here, which is currently covered up by a panel for semi recessed missiles.
and later versions will have an internal bay.
You can see the bay space here, which is currently covered up by a panel for semi recessed missiles.
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The Asian Trio
Mach42
I really should change my personal text
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Seems to be the govt/KAI is doing some PR of some sort about once a month running up to the roll-out in April.
Here is the link to the highest res/most comprehensive set of images: https://bemil.chosun.com/nbrd/bbs/view.html?b_bbs_id=10044&pn=1&num=222629
Ah, apparently there was a press brief on the 24th of February but the embargo lifted today to mark the Korean national holiday commemorating Korea's struggle for independence.
As for any new important information:
KFX-001 is on course for roll-out in April and is at approx 92~93% completion.
They have done engine fit checks but will remove the engines to paint the aircraft
It will be painted on the 3rd of March in a dark grey reminiscent of the ROKAF F-15K's
2 and 3 will be completed by the end of the year
4,5, and 6 by the first half of 2022
The airframes 1~4 have been completed already (All Fuselage sections and wings joined)
This is not to mention the 2 non-flying static load and fatigue test articles which are also in production
The plan is to have aircraft 1 to 6 complete approx. 2200 test sorties between 2022~2026 to complete initial development, at which point LRIP will begin.
The EO-TGP and a2g munitions will only be integrated later between 2026~2028 as part of Block 2.
The AESA radar, EO-TGP, IRST, EW Suite, Engines, and APU have an indigenous content of 66% when averaged together
Specifically:
While supporting systems such as simulators or maintenance/logistics systems will be at least 90%
There is a two-seater variant being developed in parallel and the number 4 and 6 prototypes will be of this type
The KF-X has a designed service life of 8000 hours
Sources:
kookbang.dema.mil.kr
news.v.daum.net
news.v.daum.net
news.khan.co.kr
news.naver.com
Here is the link to the highest res/most comprehensive set of images: https://bemil.chosun.com/nbrd/bbs/view.html?b_bbs_id=10044&pn=1&num=222629
Ah, apparently there was a press brief on the 24th of February but the embargo lifted today to mark the Korean national holiday commemorating Korea's struggle for independence.
As for any new important information:
KFX-001 is on course for roll-out in April and is at approx 92~93% completion.
They have done engine fit checks but will remove the engines to paint the aircraft
It will be painted on the 3rd of March in a dark grey reminiscent of the ROKAF F-15K's
2 and 3 will be completed by the end of the year
4,5, and 6 by the first half of 2022
The airframes 1~4 have been completed already (All Fuselage sections and wings joined)
This is not to mention the 2 non-flying static load and fatigue test articles which are also in production
The plan is to have aircraft 1 to 6 complete approx. 2200 test sorties between 2022~2026 to complete initial development, at which point LRIP will begin.
The EO-TGP and a2g munitions will only be integrated later between 2026~2028 as part of Block 2.
The AESA radar, EO-TGP, IRST, EW Suite, Engines, and APU have an indigenous content of 66% when averaged together
Specifically:
- AESA radar - 89%
- IRST - 37% (My comment: The IRST is heavily based on Leonardo's Skyward product)
- EO-TGP - 82%
- EW Suite - 77%
- GE F414 - 39%
- APU - ???
While supporting systems such as simulators or maintenance/logistics systems will be at least 90%
There is a two-seater variant being developed in parallel and the number 4 and 6 prototypes will be of this type
The KF-X has a designed service life of 8000 hours
Sources:
[한국형 전투기 ‘KF-X’ 첫 공개] 항공산업 기술 집대성…항공 선진국 반열 오른다
AESA 레이다·적외선 탐색 추적 장비 등 65% 이상 국산화 목표 스텔스와 비슷한 외형…저피탐 전투기 제작·공중급유 기능 갖춰 생산 유발 효과 약 24조 4000억 원…시제1호기 오는 4월 출고 베일에 싸여 있던 한국형 전투기 KF-X가 드디어 모습을 드러냈다. 방위사업청은 지난달 24일 그동안 컴퓨터 그래픽(CG)과 설계도면, 실물 모형으로만 볼 수 있었던...
[르포]국내 방위산업기술 집합체, 국산전투기 '실물' 완성 눈앞
[사천(경남)=이데일리 김관용 기자] 국내 방위산업 기술의 집합체인 한국형전투기(KF-X)가 드디어 완성을 눈앞에 두고 있다. 지난 2015년 12월 말 시작된 KF-X 시제기 개발 작업 5년여 만이다. 방위사업청과 한국항공우주산업(KAI)은 다음 달 개최 예정인 시제기 공개 행사에 앞서 도장 작업을 준비하고 있는 KF-X 시제기를 언론에 공개했다. K
news.v.daum.net
20년간 '종이비행기'였던 KF-X.. '진짜 전투기'로 하늘 난다
우리 손으로 처음 만든 전투기인 KF-X(한국형 전투기) 시제기가 다음달 드디어 공장 밖으로 나온다. 20년 동안 ‘종이비행기’였던 KF-X가 실제 모습을 드러내고 하늘을 날 준비를 하는 것이다. 2026년까지 총 2,200여회의 시험비행을 무사 통과하면 우리나라는 전투기를 개발한 13번째 국가로 이름을 올리게 된다. 다음달 말로 예정된 ‘시제 1호기
news.v.daum.net
최초의 국산 전투기(KF-X) 4월 출고식 '내년 7월 첫 비행’
국내 기술로 개발한 최초의 국산 전투기가 다음 달 모습을 드러낸다. 방위사업청과 한국항공우주산업(KAI)은 1일 “한국형 전투기(KF-X) 시제 1호기가 4월 출고식을 통해 ...
한국형 전투기 내달 베일 벗는다…시제 1호기 공정률 90% 이상
1년여 지상시험 거쳐 내년 7월 첫 비행…2026년 체계개발 종료 인니 공동개발 무산돼도 사업 정상 추진…"주 52시간제는 한계" (서울=연합뉴스) 유현민 기자 = 국내 기술로 개발된 최초의 국산 전투기가 다음 달
