Army and Weapons | Deadly KAI T-50 Golden Eagle | The T-50 Golden Eagle is a family of South Korean supersonic advanced trainer and multirole fighters, developed by Korea Aerospace Industries beginning in the late 1990s. The T-50 is the first indigenous South Korean supersonic aircraft and one of the only supersonic trainer in the world. It took its first flight in 2002 and went active duty with the Republic of Korea Air Force in 2005.
The T-50 advanced trainer developed into acrobatic and combat variants, namely the T-50B, TA-50 and FA-50. Ten T-50B to serve with the Air Force aerobatics team, South Korea. In 2011 was the first squadron of the TA-50, T-50 light attack variant is, operational. The first flight of the FA-50, T-50's multirole fighter version with similar capabilities for KF-16, also continued in 2011. First FA-50 production for 60 aircraft starting in 2013 to 2016.
As of 2011, sixteen TA-50 light attack variants of the family has been exported to Indonesia, and additional export orders are pursued in countries such as Iraq, Israel, Poland, the Philippines, and Spain. T-50 is also marketed as a candidate for the TX program of the United States and the United States Air Force's next-generation advanced trainer. The T-50 is the proposed basis for the F-50 next-generation indigenous fighter.
As of 2011, sixteen TA-50 light attack variants of the family has been exported to Indonesia, and additional export orders are pursued in countries such as Iraq, Israel, Poland, the Philippines, and Spain. T-50 is also marketed as a candidate for the TX program of the United States and the United States Air Force's next-generation advanced trainer. The T-50 is the proposed basis for the F-50 next-generation indigenous fighter.
The T-50 program was originally designed for an indigenous trainer aircraft capable of supersonic flight to develop, and train pilots to prepare for the KF-16 and F-15K to replace coaches such as T-38 and A -37 which was in service with the Republic of Korea Air Force. Prior South Korean aircraft programs, the propeller-driven basic trainer KT-one produced by Daewoo Aerospace (now part of KAI), and license manufactured KF-16. In general, the T-50 series of aircraft similar to the KF-16 in configuration.
The mother program, codenamed KTX-2, began in 1992, but the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs KTX-2 suspended in 1995 due to financial constraints. The basic design of the aircraft was established in 1999. The development of the aircraft was funded by Lockheed Martin 13%, 17% by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), and 70% by the government of South Korea.
The aircraft was formally designated as T-50 Golden Eagle in February 2000. The T-50A designation is reserved by the U.S. military to avoid inadvertently assigned to another aircraft model. Final assembly of the first T-50 took place between January 15 and September 14, 2001. The first flight of the T-50 took place in August 2002 and the first operational assessment from July 28 to August 14, 2003. KAI and Lockheed Martin are currently pursuing a joint marketing program for the T-50 variant at international level. The South Korean Air Force placed a production contract for 25 T-50s in December 2003, with planes scheduled to be delivered between 2005 and 2009. Original T-50 equipped with the AN/PG-67 (V) 4 radar from Lockheed Martin.
The aircraft was formally designated as T-50 Golden Eagle in February 2000. The T-50A designation is reserved by the U.S. military to avoid inadvertently assigned to another aircraft model. Final assembly of the first T-50 took place between January 15 and September 14, 2001. The first flight of the T-50 took place in August 2002 and the first operational assessment from July 28 to August 14, 2003. KAI and Lockheed Martin are currently pursuing a joint marketing program for the T-50 variant at international level. The South Korean Air Force placed a production contract for 25 T-50s in December 2003, with planes scheduled to be delivered between 2005 and 2009. Original T-50 equipped with the AN/PG-67 (V) 4 radar from Lockheed Martin.
The T-50 Golden Eagle design is largely derived from the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon, and they have much in common: use of a single motor, speed, size, cost and range of weapons. Previous techniques KAI's experience in producing the license KF-16 has benefited significantly in the T-50 design.
The trainer can carry two pilots in tandem seating. The high-mounted hood developed by Hankuk Fiber is used with stretched acrylic, which the pilots with good visibility, and is tested to the hood with a ballistic protection against 4-lb objects affects 400 knots to offer. The height limit is 14,600 meters (48,000 ft), and the hull is designed to provide 8000 hours of service. There are seven internal fuel tanks with a capacity of 2,655 liters (701 U.S. gal), five in the trunk and two in the wings. An additional 1710 liters (452 U.S. gal) of fuel can be performed in the three external fuel tanks.
The trainer can carry two pilots in tandem seating. The high-mounted hood developed by Hankuk Fiber is used with stretched acrylic, which the pilots with good visibility, and is tested to the hood with a ballistic protection against 4-lb objects affects 400 knots to offer. The height limit is 14,600 meters (48,000 ft), and the hull is designed to provide 8000 hours of service. There are seven internal fuel tanks with a capacity of 2,655 liters (701 U.S. gal), five in the trunk and two in the wings. An additional 1710 liters (452 U.S. gal) of fuel can be performed in the three external fuel tanks.
The T-50 Golden Eagle uses a General Electric F404-102 turbofan engine produced under license by Samsung Techwin, upgraded with a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system jointly developed by General Electric and Korea Aerospace Industries. The engine consists of three-staged fans, seven axial stage arrangement, and an afterburner. The aircraft has a maximum speed of Mach 1.4-1.5. The engine delivers a maximum of 78.7 kN (17,700 lbf) of thrust with afterburner. The General Electric F414 engine has been proposed as the new engine for the T-50 family, but also Rolls Royce EJ200 for better compatibility with the European air forces. Both engines deliver more thrust compared to the F404.
The T-50's central processing unit and the operating system developed by MDS technology. [40] The T-50's avionics system is the first and only real-time operating system developed by an Asian company, and receives the DO-178B certification. Samsung Thales and LIG Nex1 are the main avionics and electronic warfare equipment developer for T-50 and its variants. Other South Korean companies such DoDAAM Systems and Aero Master are responsible for the secondary of the aircraft avionics, including store management computers, avionics test equipment, flight data recorders, portable maintenance aids, data analysis software, post-flight data processing system, and aircraft structure and engine management software.
Hanwha provides the mechanical components for the operating system, and WIA provides the base. The T-50 is equipped with a Honeywell H-764G embedded global positioning / inertial navigation system and HG9550 radar altimeter. The aircraft is the first coach of the digital fly-by-wire control interface (triple redundant) function. The cockpit panels, switches and joysticks are produced by the South Korean FirsTec and Sungjin Techwin.
TA-50 mounts a General Dynamics A-50 20 mm gun internally behind the cockpit. The gun is a three-barreled version of the M61 Vulcan, with 205 rounds of link less ammunition. AIM-9 Sidewinders can be connected to each wingtip rails, and additional weapons can be mounted under wing hard points. Compatible air-ground weapons are the AGM-65 Maverick missiles, Hydra 70 rocket launchers and LOGIR, CBU-58 and Mk-20 cluster bombs, and Mk-82, -83, -84, and general purpose bombs.
FA-50 can be externally provided with Rafael's Sky Shield LITE NING ECM pods and targeting pods to further improve the fighter electronic warfare and targeting capabilities. Other improved weapon systems over TA-50 are multifunctional SPICE guidance kits, Textron Sensor Fuzed Weapon with CBU-97/105 WCMD tail kits, JDAM-ER and JDAM for more extensive air-ground operations, and AIM-120 missiles for BVR air to air operations. FA-50 has provisions for but not yet integrated, Python and Derby missiles, also manufactured by Rafael.
General characteristics
Crew: 2
Length: 12.98 m (42 ft 7 in)
Wingspan: 9.17 m (30 ft 1 in)
Height: 4.78 m (15 ft 8.25 in)
Empty weight: 6,450 kg (14,200 pounds)
Max takeoff weight: 13,500 kg (29,700 pounds)
Powerplant: 1 × General Electric F404 afterburning turbofan
Dry thrust: 53.07 kN (11,925 lbf)
Thrust with afterburner: 78.7 kN (17,700 lbf)
Performance
Maximum speed: Mach 1.4 ~ 1.5
Range: 1.851 km (1.150 mi)
Ceiling: 16,760 m (55,000 ft)
Thrust / weight: 0.96Max g limit: -3 g / 8 g
Weaponry
Guns: 1 × 20 mm (0.787 in)
General Dynamics A-50 three-barreled rotary cannon
Hard Points: Total: 7
Rockets: Hydra 70, LOGIR
Rockets:Air-to-air: AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-120 AMRAAM.
Air-ground: AGM-65 Maverick
Bombs: Mk 82, Mk 83 and Mk 84 general purpose bombs with SPICE, JDAM or JDAM-ER guidance kits; CBU-97/105 sensor fuzed weapons, laser guided bombs
The T-50's central processing unit and the operating system developed by MDS technology. [40] The T-50's avionics system is the first and only real-time operating system developed by an Asian company, and receives the DO-178B certification. Samsung Thales and LIG Nex1 are the main avionics and electronic warfare equipment developer for T-50 and its variants. Other South Korean companies such DoDAAM Systems and Aero Master are responsible for the secondary of the aircraft avionics, including store management computers, avionics test equipment, flight data recorders, portable maintenance aids, data analysis software, post-flight data processing system, and aircraft structure and engine management software.
Hanwha provides the mechanical components for the operating system, and WIA provides the base. The T-50 is equipped with a Honeywell H-764G embedded global positioning / inertial navigation system and HG9550 radar altimeter. The aircraft is the first coach of the digital fly-by-wire control interface (triple redundant) function. The cockpit panels, switches and joysticks are produced by the South Korean FirsTec and Sungjin Techwin.
TA-50 mounts a General Dynamics A-50 20 mm gun internally behind the cockpit. The gun is a three-barreled version of the M61 Vulcan, with 205 rounds of link less ammunition. AIM-9 Sidewinders can be connected to each wingtip rails, and additional weapons can be mounted under wing hard points. Compatible air-ground weapons are the AGM-65 Maverick missiles, Hydra 70 rocket launchers and LOGIR, CBU-58 and Mk-20 cluster bombs, and Mk-82, -83, -84, and general purpose bombs.
FA-50 can be externally provided with Rafael's Sky Shield LITE NING ECM pods and targeting pods to further improve the fighter electronic warfare and targeting capabilities. Other improved weapon systems over TA-50 are multifunctional SPICE guidance kits, Textron Sensor Fuzed Weapon with CBU-97/105 WCMD tail kits, JDAM-ER and JDAM for more extensive air-ground operations, and AIM-120 missiles for BVR air to air operations. FA-50 has provisions for but not yet integrated, Python and Derby missiles, also manufactured by Rafael.
General characteristics
Crew: 2
Length: 12.98 m (42 ft 7 in)
Wingspan: 9.17 m (30 ft 1 in)
Height: 4.78 m (15 ft 8.25 in)
Empty weight: 6,450 kg (14,200 pounds)
Max takeoff weight: 13,500 kg (29,700 pounds)
Powerplant: 1 × General Electric F404 afterburning turbofan
Dry thrust: 53.07 kN (11,925 lbf)
Thrust with afterburner: 78.7 kN (17,700 lbf)
Performance
Maximum speed: Mach 1.4 ~ 1.5
Range: 1.851 km (1.150 mi)
Ceiling: 16,760 m (55,000 ft)
Thrust / weight: 0.96Max g limit: -3 g / 8 g
Weaponry
Guns: 1 × 20 mm (0.787 in)
General Dynamics A-50 three-barreled rotary cannon
Hard Points: Total: 7
Rockets: Hydra 70, LOGIR
Rockets:Air-to-air: AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-120 AMRAAM.
Air-ground: AGM-65 Maverick
Bombs: Mk 82, Mk 83 and Mk 84 general purpose bombs with SPICE, JDAM or JDAM-ER guidance kits; CBU-97/105 sensor fuzed weapons, laser guided bombs