KAI T-50 Golden Eagle
From Scramble - The Aviation Magazine
| T-50 Golden Eagle | ||
|---|---|---|
| ||
| Description | ||
| Role | Trainer/light-attack | |
| Crew | 2 | |
| First Flight | 20 August 2002 | |
| Entered Service | 22 February 2005 | |
| Number built | in production | |
| Manufacturer | KAI | |
| KTX-2 | ||
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | m | ft in |
| Wingspan | m | ft in |
| Height | m | ft in |
| Wing area | m² | ft² |
| Weights | ||
| Empty | kg | lb |
| Loaded | kg | lb |
| Maximum takeoff weight | kg | lb |
| Capacity | yourcapacity | |
| Powerplant | ||
| Engines | one General Electric F404 turbofan | |
| Thrust | 78.7 kN (each) | 17,700 lbf with A/B |
| Performance | ||
| Maximum speed | Mach 1.4 | mph |
| Operational range | 1,850 km | 1,150 mi |
| Service ceiling | 16,760 m | 55,000 ft |
| Rate of climb | m/min | ft/min |
| Avionics | ||
| Avionics | Lockheed Martin AN/APG-67 radar | |
| Armament | ||
| Armament | TA-50: One A-50 Gatling gun, Mk.80 series LDGP bombs, AGM-65 Maverick; FA-50: AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-9 Sidewinder, JDAM, WCMD | |
Contents |
Introduction
The T-50 Golden Eagle is a family of South Korean supersonic advanced trainers and multirole fighters, developed by Korea Aerospace Industries beginning in the late 1990s, in co-operation with Lockheed Martin. The T-50 is South Korea's first indigenous supersonic aircraft and one of the world's few supersonic trainers.
History
The mother program, code-named KTX-2, began in 1992, but the Ministry of Finance and Economy suspended KTX-2 in 1995 due to financial constraints. The basic design of the aircraft was set by 1999. The development of the aircraft was funded 13% by Lockheed Martin, 17% by Korea Aerospace Industries, and 70% by the government of South Korea.
Versions
T-50
Two-seat advanced trainer. The T-50B is an aerobatic specialized T-50 version for Black Eagles aerobatic team, featuring enhanced manoeuvrability.
TA-50
Tactial trainer/light attack version
FA-50
Single seat multirole fighter model based on the T-50 Golden Eagle. Equipped with advanced features such as Elta Systems EL/M-2032 pulse doppler radar, Link 16 tactical data link, RWR and night vision imaging system. It is capable of carrying 4,500kg (9,920lb) of weapons, including the Boeing JDAM and Textron CBU-97 Sensor Fused Weapon. Like the TA-50, it also has a 20 mm cannon and can carry air-to-air missiles.
Operators
- Republic of Korea Air Force (T-50, TA-50, FA-50)
- Indonesia (TA-50 on order)
Images
T-50 Golden Eagle |
