Indonesia: Subvenciones para el desarrollo de infraestructura del KFX/IFX

Programa de desarrollo de aeronaves de combate KFX/IFX Plan de subvenciones para instalaciones de infraestructura

El hangar KFX/IFX en el complejo PTDI que una vez fue utilizado para una reunión informativa con Babinsa por parte del presidente de la República de Indonesia (foto: MyLesat)


Yakarta, jueves (19/12/2022). El Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo del Ministerio de Defensa, en este caso el Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo de Ciencia y Tecnología, celebró una reunión de discusión inicial sobre la subvención prevista para instalaciones de infraestructura para el programa de desarrollo de aviones de combate KF-X/IF-X y el establecimiento de un equipo de subvención. El propósito de esta actividad es llevar a cabo sugerencias y aportes de PT. DI le dijo al Secretario General del Ministerio de Defensa que para el equipo que se ha construido en PT. DI para ser donado a PT. DI en forma de laboratorios e instalaciones de producción junto con Fashar (Hanggar, Shelter y delantal).



Planta de producción de KFX/IFX en el complejo PTDI (foto: MyLesat)

La reunión fue presidida por el Jefe de la División de Potencia de Combate del Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo de Ciencia y Tecnología, Balitbang, Ministerio de Defensa, Coronel Tek Adi R. Panca Putra. Los participantes que asistieron incluyeron al Coronel Tech BRP. Sianturi, Coronel Czi Abd Ijom S, Coronel Adm A. Marulitua, Coronel Arh Irwan Setiawan, Coronel Adm Bambang Suko W., Coronel Kal Hendy F Sembiring, Coronel Cpl M. Andi Barata, Coronel Lek Imam Taufik, Coronel Lek Anang S, Coronel Czi Mulyadi, Coronel Czi A. Hamid, Teniente Coronel de la Marina (T) Danang Waluyo, Gerente de Buenaventura y Gerente de Jardín de Infancia. Alabo a Sandika.



Planta de producción de KFX/IFX en el complejo PTDI (foto: MyLesat)


En cuanto a la concesión de infraestructura prevista para PT. DI que es el Director General del Ministerio de Defensa. El material a conceder tiene la categoría de BMN de suelo y edificación, por lo que el mecanismo de concesión sigue el Reglamento del Ministerio de Defensa nº 29 de 2019 relativo a los procedimientos para la cesión de BMN en forma de suelo y edificación, pero si hay BMN distintos de suelo y edificación edificios, el mecanismo sigue el Reglamento del Ministro de Defensa No. 3 de 2019 los procedimientos para implementar la transferencia de BMN que no sean terrenos y edificios. Los resultados de la reunión de discusión inicial sobre el plan de subvenciones que se llevó a cabo hoy fueron los esperados, es decir, el mantenimiento de la infraestructura que se había construido y otras herramientas que podrían ser utilizadas por PT. EN.

 Ministerio de Defensa

Increíble Corea del Sur: Vuela y aterriza el segundo KF-21

El segundo prototipo KF-21 vuela y aterriza con éxito

El segundo prototipo del avión de combate KF-21 Boramae durante el primer vuelo (fotos: ROKArmedForces)

Seúl (Yonhap) -- El segundo prototipo de avión de combate de Corea del Sur, el KF-21 Boramae, llevó a cabo con éxito su prueba de vuelo inaugural el jueves, dijo la agencia de armas del país.

El avión despegó del tercer ala de entrenamiento de vuelo de la Fuerza Aérea en Sacheon, a unos 300 kilómetros al sur de Seúl, a las 9:49 a. m. y aterrizó sin obstáculos a las 10:24 a. m., según la Administración del Programa de Adquisición de Defensa (DAPA).

Voló a una velocidad promedio de 407 kilómetros por hora durante el vuelo de 35 minutos cerca de la sede de su desarrollador, Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI), dijo más tarde una fuente.

El primer prototipo del caza de 4.5ª generación realizó su vuelo inaugural el 19 de julio.

KAI planea producir cuatro prototipos más que realizarán pruebas de vuelo en etapas desde diciembre de 2022 hasta la primera mitad de 2023, dijo DAPA.

Lanzado en 2015, el proyecto KF-21 de 8,8 billones de wones (6,4 mil millones de dólares) tiene como objetivo desarrollar un modelo de caza supersónico para reemplazar la antigua flota de aviones F-4 y F-5 de Corea del Sur.

El ejército del país planea desplegar 120 aviones KF-21 para 2032.

  Yonhap 

El acuerdo por el KF-21 entre Indonesia y Surcorea más cerca

South Korea, Indonesia Move Closer to KF-21 Agreement, Says DAPA

DAPA has said South Korea and Indonesia are “narrowing the gap” on an agreement on Jakarta's payments on the programme to develop the KF-21 fighter aircraft, seen here at the launch of the platform's first prototype (photo : nate.news)

South Korea and Indonesia are edging closer to an agreement about Jakarta's financial commitment to the programme to develop the KF-21 Boramae multirole fighter aircraft, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) in Seoul told Janes.

A DAPA spokesperson said that the two countries remain in talks over Indonesia's payments on the project but that the agency is confident that an agreement can be reached soon. The spokesperson also indicated that once the agreement is in place, Indonesia's position in the KF-21 programme could expand.

“The Republic of Korea and Indonesia are narrowing the gap between each other's position with regards to repayments through a number of negotiations,” said the DAPA spokesperson. “DAPA is very positive that the payment issue will be resolved.”

In 2015 the two countries agreed to invest KRW8.8 trillion (USD7.5 billion) to develop the KF-21, with Indonesia paying 20% of development costs in return for access to technologies and know-how. Under this accord, payments were scheduled to be made by Indonesia through to 2028, but Jakarta ceased these imbursements in March 2020.

Negotiations since then have been aimed at finalising a new repayment structure that Indonesia is willing to adhere to. Pointing to a commitment to the programme, Indonesia sent more than 30 engineers to rejoin the KF-21 programme in August 2021 and their number is expected to grow to approximately 100 by the end of the year. The engineers had ceased work on the programme in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Jane's

Corea del Sur e Indonesia se reúnen por el KF-21 Boramae

S. Korea, Indonesia Hold First Working-Level '2+2 Talks'

KF-21 Boramae fighter (photo : news1)


SEOUL (Yonhap) -- South Korea and Indonesia had discussions on security ties during their inaugural working-level two-plus-two talks on Tuesday.

The dialogue, held via teleconference, brought together four director-level officials from the defense and foreign ministries of the two sides, according to Seoul's ministries.

Among agenda items were bilateral relations, regional security conditions and ways to boost security cooperation, including their joint fighter jet development program, called the KF-21 project.

"During the meeting, Seoul and Jakarta noted their recent decision to resume the joint project of developing an advanced fighter jet, and vowed to work more closely to achieve good results," the ministries said in a press release.

Indonesia agreed to partner in South Korea's initiative aimed at developing a new fighter jet by 2026. But there had been speculation that Jakarta could quit the program as it failed to make due payments. It promised to shoulder 20 percent of the total development cost of 8.8 trillion won (US$7.6 billion), but around 700 billion won is overdue.

South Korea also proposed the swift launch of a joint committee for bilateral defense cooperation, the ministries said.

During the dialogue, the two sides agreed on the need for substantial progress in efforts to achieve the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and diplomacy, and Indonesia vowed continued backing for Seoul's peace drive, according to the statement.

Also on the table was the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, and South Korea voiced support for ASEAN's role to resolve the matter, it added.

"This initial 2+2 meeting served as a chance for the two nations to strengthen communication as special strategic partners," it read.

Yonhap

KAI pruebas los asientos eyectables Martin Baker del KF-21 Boramae

KAI Tested Martin Baker Ejection Seat for KF-21 Boramae

Martin Baker Mk.18 ejection seat during test on KF-21 cockpit model (photos : Martin Baker)

KAI unveiled South Korea’s first indigenous fighter jet prototype on 9th April 2021, 5 years after the start of the KF-X program, naming it the KF-21 Boramae during the announcement showcase.

KAI aim to deliver 40 KF-21 aircraft to the Republic of Korea Air Force by 2028 with 80 more aircraft to follow by 2032.



The KF-21 will be fitted with Martin-Baker Mk.18 Ejection Seats – the latest in Ejection Seat technology. Martin-Baker are proud to be suppliers on the KF-X program and to support the ROKAF and South Korea in this significant milestone for the country.

Andrew Martin, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Business Development, said;

“MB is honoured to have been competitively selected for this new aircraft. We have seen first hand the dedication and hard work that KAI and its team put into their successful KT-1 and T-50 aircrafts and we have no doubt that the KF-21 will follow the same path.”

Martin Baker

Indonesia le pide ayuda a Corea del Sur para reducir la brecha tecnológica en el KF-21

Indonesia Asks for S. Korea's Support to Cover Tech Gap in Joint Fighter Project

KF-21 Boramae fighter (image : m.korea)


SEOUL (Yonhap) -- Indonesia has asked South Korea to help its engineers involved in a joint fighter jet development project catch up with the technological progress made while they were away back home over coronavirus concerns, the defense ministry said Wednesday.

Indonesia is a partner for South Korea's 8.8 trillion won (US$7.9 billion) project to develop its first homegrown supersonic combat plane, though Jakarta has stopped making payments for the 20 percent of the total development cost it had promised to shoulder.

Indonesian engineers had been participating in the development in South Korea, but they returned home in March last year amid the coronavirus pandemic. South Korean engineers continued with the development and unveiled the jet's first prototype earlier this month.

The ministry said Indonesia reaffirmed its commitment to the project during its Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto's visit to South Korea to attend the rollout ceremony, after its failure to make payments gave rise to speculation that the country could quit the program.

"Indonesia welcomed proposals made by South Korea to boost the two countries' defense cooperation and expressed hope for South Korea's support to help Indonesian officials catch up with the technology gap in the KF-21/IF-X joint development project," the ministry said a report to the parliament.

Possible cooperation includes the provision of unused military supplies to Indonesia, the ministry said.

Yonhap

KAI desarrolla un sistema de producción inteligente para el KF-21 Boramae

KAI to Develop Smart Manufacturing System for KF-21 Boramae Production

Korea Aerospace Industries’ A350 smart factory in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province (photo : KAI)

Korea Aerospace Industries said Thursday it will invest 98.5 billion won ($88.3 million) to develop a customized smart manufacturing system and apply it first to the production of KF-21 Boramae fighters.

According to the nation’s sole aircraft manufacturer, it will develop the smart manufacturing system by 2023 and apply the system to all of its business sites. The system will be modeled after KAI’s most advanced A350 smart factory located at its headquarters in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province.

“The goal is to establish a standardized smart manufacturing process for Korea’s aerospace industry and pass it down to our suppliers,” a KAI official said.

KAI’s A350 smart factory manufactures wing parts called ribs for Airbus A350 passenger aircrafts. After adopting artificial intelligence, the factory, which produces 660 ribs a month, reduced the production time by 66 percent. Also, raw materials are shipped in and out of the facility in just one week, a striking improvement from four weeks. Also, the factory now only requires just 24 staff, down from 60.

Korea Herald

Corea del Sur confía en el acuerdo KF-X pese a que Indonesia falló en los fondos

Korea Confident of KF-X Deal with Indonesia

KF-X fighter (photos : ROKArmed Forces)

Korea confident of fighter deal despite default

Indonesia is defaulting on a deal with South Korea to build fighter jets, sitting on its contribution to the project worth at least 8 trillion won ($7.1 billion), but Seoul is confident that it could manage the undertaking without the Southeast Asian country.

The KF-X program, in which Korea holds 80 percent of shares while Indonesia seeks 20 percent and technology know-how, is set to reveal its prototype jet Friday -- but Indonesia has so far paid just $22 million, about 13 percent of what it owes.

Indonesia has reportedly asked Korea to cut its burden in half or approve a loan and help build local production lines, though the Korean government denies it has received any such request.

The Indonesian defense minister, who will attend the unveiling ceremony in Korea, is expected to address the dispute with his Korean counterpart. Indonesia has not made clear why it needs the assistance. The local economy, now reeling from COVID-19 fallout, is reportedly among the reasons.

“There is nothing yet, no material change to the contract between the two countries. We’re still looking into what we can do about it,” a senior Seoul official said.

The director general in charge of the program at the arms procurement agency was clearer on Indonesia’s potential pullout.

“Even if we come to cease partnership, the program will go on,” the director general said in February when he was briefing reporters at the KF-X production site to show last-minute preparations for the Friday’s rollout ceremony, which takes place at the same site in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province.

Korea’s confidence lies in the fact that it can build prototype jets, without Indonesian help, to test them before starting mass production, which could begin in 2026 at the earliest. Korea expects to make 120 jets. Indonesia, which will be given one prototype along with the technology know-how, is responsible for 48.

Also, Korea would not be dealing with surging costs for mass production even if Indonesia withdraws from the commitment, according to a senior Seoul official familiar with the project.

“Let’s say Indonesia pulls out -- though that’s not what we think will or should happen -- the total costs for the entire fleet will not be as heavily affected as some say it would,” he said.

An official at the arms procurement agency said Korea would not have to return what Indonesia has paid up either, as their contract prevents such an action in the case of recurring defaults. But that is purely a technicality on which the agency would consult with Indonesia, the official said.


Nevertheless, the government is seeking to work the situation out with Indonesia, the agency said.

Seoul is seen as trying to embrace Indonesia, the largest buyer of Korea’s weapons. It accounted for 17 percent of Korea’s arms exports from 2014 to 2018, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

“Breaking the partnership -- which is essentially turning our back on Indonesia -- is not a smart move,” a Seoul official said, adding it would also affect Korea’s long-term initiative to carve out its presence in the aerospace market.

“Partners are like insurance. We need an outsider on the program to sell it to the outside world,” the Seoul official said. (KoreaHerald)

S. Korea, Indonesia pushing for defense ministerial talks

SEOUL, April 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is in talks with Indonesia to set up defense ministerial talks on the occasion of an upcoming rollout ceremony showcasing a prototype of South Korea's first indigenous fighter jet this month, the defense ministry said Monday.

Whether Indonesia, a partner for the KF-X project, will send senior officials to the rollout ceremony has been a focus of attention as it could be a sign the country remains committed to the joint project amid speculation it is seeking to quit the business.

Sources said Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto is expected to attend the event, which will take place in the first couple of weeks of April, but the ministry has yet to confirm his attendance.

"A ministerial meeting will be possible if Prabowo visits South Korea. We are cooperating with all possibilities open," ministry spokesman Boo Seung-chan told a regular press briefing. "As Minister Prabowo has also visited Japan, we are actively having discussions with Indonesia."

Indonesia had promised to shoulder 20 percent of the new fighter's 8.8 trillion-won (US$7.9 billion) development cost, but it has stopped making payments after investing 227.2 billion won with around 600 billion won overdue.

Amid a media report Indonesia has asked to halve its contribution for the project, the arms procurement agency denied adjustment in the burden sharing ratio.

"The report that it has demanded the construction of local production facilities is also not true," Defense Acquisition Program Administration spokesman Col. Seo Yong-won said.

Asked to comment on the reported request of $5 billion worth of loans from South Korea, Seo said, "It is not a question to be answered by the arms procurement agency."

Yonhap News

KFX surcoreano irá con misiles hipersónicos

KFX to be Integrated with Hypersonic Missile

Hypersonic missile for KFX (image : RoK Armed Forces)


Our military is developing a hypersonic missile that the US, China, and Russia are competitively jumping into. In addition, research is underway for the development of an air-launched cruise missile (ALCM), one of the three major nuclear umbrella forces, along with an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). The military plans to equip these state-of-the-art strategic missile weapons into the next-generation fighter (KFX) that will be deployed in 2026.

It is reported that the military plans to discuss with the Defense Science Research Institute (ADD) to develop a hypersonic guided missile to be installed on the KFX. The speed of the hypersonic guided missile reaches Mach 5, which is more than twice as fast as the conventional supersonic guided missile (Mach 2.5). It can be reached in 1 minute and 15 seconds by firing at the North Korean command post in Pyongyang, 250 km above Seoul. The criteria to be classified as hypersonic missiles are applied only if they have a speed of at least Mach 5. When a hypersonic guided missile is developed, it will become the world's fourth developing country after the US, China, and Russia.



KFX weapons (image : SeDaily)

The development of hypersonic guided missiles with a speed of Mach 5 in the military seems to be a measure of countering the movement of North Korea to develop strategic weapons as well as a face-to-face response to the active development movements of the powers around the Korean Peninsula.

Along with this, the military began to develop ALCM that could technically even mount a nuclear warhead. The American ALCM is a cruise missile mounted on a long-range strategic bomber B-52 or a stealth strategic bomber B-2. If the ALCM development is successful with domestic technology, it can be evaluated that the military's war deterrence posture is strengthened in that it has secured a weapon system that can contribute to the US nuclear umbrella operation in case of emergency.


(Asiae)

KF-X representa el espaldarazo de la industria surcoreana en el mercado global

With KF-X Fighter Jet, S. Korea Eyes Foothold in Global Market

KF-X fighter jet simulator (photo : KAI)


SACHEON, South Gyeongsang Province -- As South Korea gears up to reveal a prototype of its next-generation fighter jet in early 2021, Korea Aerospace Industries is pursuing a broader initiative to carve out its presence in the aerospace market, which is dominated by established players in Europe and the US.

Mass production of the Korean fighter jet, known by the project name KF-X, is expected to begin as early as 2026.

“From 2030 onwards, rival European jets will need replacement due to aging but their production cost is relatively high. America enjoys a price advantage but it doesn’t approve new jet sales to some countries,” Lee Il-woo, chief engineer of the KF-X project, told The Korea Herald in an interview.

And there lies an opportunity for Korea.

“Our 4.5-generation aircraft is an ‘extreme machine,’” he said, referring to the sophisticated systems and tens of thousands of parts that make up the KF-X aircraft.

Korea plans to replace its retiring third-generation F-4 and F-5 warplanes with the KF-X model to bolster its airpower against other military powers, which mostly operate fourth- or 4.5-generation warplanes.

Fifth-generation fighters are the most advanced aircraft to date, as they are equipped with stealth technology that makes them less visible to enemy radar. But only a few countries, like the US, have made them combat-ready.

Compared with aerospace giants like Boeing and Airbus, the KAI is an underdog with less experience in jet manufacturing. But it has demonstrated remarkable progress in the $16 billion project, despite early skepticism that it was a reckless and risky bet.

“We’ve seen no major disruptions in our timeline for production. That’s something to be very proud of because even top-tier defense companies often deal with delays,” Lee said, adding that the prototype jet to be unveiled next year will undergo one year of ground tests and four years of flight tests.



KFX fighter jet (photo : KAI)

A ground test assesses digitally whether the jet can function under extreme conditions, because those checks cannot be made with an aircraft in flight. A flight test assesses the weapons systems to be installed on the jet.

Test launching of the weapons is set aside for some other time, with their production set to be complete by 2028.

“We’ve also come up with our own test rig that handles the ground test,” Lee said, adding that building the test rig was a chance to expand the country’s expertise in aerospace technology.

When asked how the KAI was going about localizing the software needed for the jet, the chief engineer said his team had localized key software technologies, including flight and operation control technologies.

Lee went on to say that along with the software development, Korea’s successful localization two months earlier of a key radar technology -- called active electronically scanned array, or AESA -- would prevent the need for outside assistance to maintain the aircraft.

“It costs roughly $1.7 billion to upgrade avionics on 130 or so KF-16s,” Lee said, referring to Korea’s main fighter jets.

Advanced avionics are important because they reduce the pilot’s workload by presenting integrated information so he or she can make judgment calls more efficiently, Lee explained.

The chief engineer discussed the shortcomings he faces as well, saying his team still needs a pool of experts familiar with aerospace technologies.

“We have about 1,300 engineers on the project, but they include those with expertise in shipbuilding and not aerospace,” Lee said, maintaining that for the next five years of jet tests, his team would need more veteran aerospace engineers to pinpoint every glitch in jet performance.

Skilled professionals come first in the high-end industries like the aerospace sector, where precision is a top priority. The fact that KAI is in Sacheon, far away from Seoul, doesn’t help in its efforts to attract and retain top-quality talent, he said.


 

Assembling works of KF-X prototype (photo : KAI)


Yet Lee was optimistic about the prospects for the aerospace industry in Korea.

“Korea holds a market share of less than 1 percent of the $617 billion global aerospace industry,” Lee said. “Conversely, it means there is ample room for improvement on our part.”

The chief engineer proposed action to start making the aerospace industry Korea’s next chip or shipbuilding industry -- one where it holds world dominance.

“Korea is one of the top 10 countries in defense spending and we continue to localize fighter and training jets. That’s good, but we still import supporting aircraft like transporters,” Lee said. “We should begin localizing those now.”

Lee explained that there could be spillover from the technology gains. They may help Korea boost production of small and midsized civilian aircraft, for instance, and expand the country’s presence there as well.

“The civilian aircraft sector is five times the military (aircraft sector),” Lee said.

“The coronavirus outbreak could restructure the aerospace industry. We need a strategy to seize on the opportunity.”


Korea Herald

Técnicos indonesios se instalarán en Surcorea para seguir con el proyecto KF-X

PTDI Technicians on the KF-X Project Preparing to Redeploy to Korea

The first KF-X prototype is scheduled to be rolled out in April 2021 (image : DAPA)

KF-X project on track but concerns grow about Indonesian involvement

Technicians from Indonesian aerospace firm PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) will soon be rejoining counterparts from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) to undertake work on developing the Korean Fighter eXperimental (KF-X) multirole fighter aircraft, Janes has learnt.

PTDI technicians on the KF-X project – known as KF-X/IF-X in Indonesia – returned to Indonesia from South Korea in March when the Covid-19 epidemic was at its peak in the Northeast Asian country. An industry source has confirmed to Janes that these technicians are now “currently preparing to redeploy”.

Janes understands that at the end of 2019 the total number of PTDI technicians on the KF-X project in South Korea was about 100, with their work mainly focused on aircraft design and manufacturing processes. Their redeployment will be framed against requirements for social distancing and other Covid-19-related guidelines.

The move to re-engage PTDI technicians on the project comes against a background of progress on the development of KF-X prototypes but also continuing delays in efforts to reach a compromise on the scope of Indonesian financial participation in the programme. Another factor that could have an impact on Indonesia’s involvement are some concerns in Jakarta about the strategic value of its involvement.

KAI has confirmed that assembly of the first KF-X prototype is scheduled to be finalised in the second half of 2020, with a view to rolling out the aircraft in April 2021. The schedules confirm that the KF-X programme has not been affected by Covid-19 and is on track to start mass production in the mid-2020s.

Jane's

Provistos los primeros motores para el caza KF-X

GE Aviation Delivers First F414 Engine for KF-X Fighter

GE F414 engine for KF-X (photo : GE)

GE Aviation delivered in May the first F414-GE-400K engine for Korea Aerospace Industries’ (KAI) KF-X aircraft, an in-development fifth-generation fighter for the South Korean air force.


Flight tests on the twin-engined KF-X are planned to start in 2023, with the development programme scheduled to be finished in 2026. As part of the development programme, GE Aviation is to deliver 15 F414 flight test engines for six prototype fighters by 2021, the company says.

Seoul wants the KF-X to replace its air force’s aging McDonnell Douglas F-4D/E Phantom II and Northrop F-5E/F Tiger II fighter aircraft fleet. It plans to order 120 examples of the stealth aircraft, with GE Aviation supplying 240 production examples of the F414, plus an undisclosed number of spares.

“GE’s F414 engine went into service in 1998 and has flown more than 4.6 million flight hours with more than 1,750 engines delivered,” says GE Aviation. “In addition to the KF-X, the F414 powers Boeing’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler, Saab’s JAS 39E/F Gripen, India’s Tejas Mark 2, and Lockheed Martin and NASA’s X-59 Quiet Supersonic Transport.”


GE Aviation also supplies the F404 engine for the KAI T-50 Golden Eagle trainer jet.

FlightGlobal

¡Impresionante Corea del Sur! Montarán el KF-X en el segundo semestre de 2020

KAI to Finalize Assembly of KF-X Fighter Jet in Second Half 2020

KF-X fighter jet (image : KAI)

Korea Aerospace Industries said Wednesday it will finalize the assembly of its next-generation KF-X fighter jet in the second half of this year.

South Korea’s sole aircraft manufacturer is currently assembling each of the top, middle and bottom parts of the fuselage of its fifth-generation fighter and the final assembly is scheduled for the second half of the year.

"To introduce a prototype next year, KAI is looking forward to a final assembly of the jet in the period,” a company official said.

“Also, we have received 15 engines from General Electric to power six prototypes, with each requiring two engines. The remaining three are spares.”

KAI selected GE Aviation in May 2016 to supply the F414-GE-400K engines for the KF-X fighter. The multirole KF-X jet, a $7.4 billion project, is being designed and built by KAI.

The KF-X aircraft will replace Korea’s F-4D/E Phantom II and F-5E/F Tiger II fleet. The development program is scheduled to be completed in 2026, while flight testing will occur in 2023. A total of 120 KF-X aircrafts are scheduled for production for the Air Force. GE Aviation will provide 240 F414 engines plus spares.

GE has partnered with Korea many times to power aircrafts in their inventory. GE’s F404 engines currently power the country’s T-50 Golden Eagle, a high-performance supersonic trainer developed with KAI for the Korean Air Force. GE’s T700 turboshaft engines power the Korean utility helicopter Surion. Additionally, GE’s F110 engines power the Air Force’s F-15K aircraft.


Korea Herald

Empresa norteamericana provee al KF-X de sistema de adquisición de datos

Curtiss-Wright Selected by KAI to Provide Complete Data Acquisition System Solution for KF-X

Axon miniature data acquisition system (photo : Curtiss Weight)

ASHBURN, Va. – Curtiss-Wright’s Defense Solutions division, a trusted leading supplier of flight test instrumentation (FTI) system solutions, today announced that it was awarded a contract by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) to provide a complete data acquisition system (DAS) for use in flight-test campaigns for the new 5th generation Korean Fighter eXperimental (KF-X) multirole fighter aircraft. Under the contract, Curtiss-Wright will provide KAI with a complete FTI system that gathers and processes data from the aircraft during test flights.

The fully integrated DAS solution will feature Curtiss-Wright’s next-generation Axon™ miniature data acquisition unit (DAU), the FTI industry’s most compact and high speed DAU. In addition, the DAS will include Curtiss-Wright’s KAM-500™ DAUs, NSW-12GT-1 12-Port Gigabit airborne network switches, TTS-9800-2 tri-band transmitter, nEUP-2000-1 engineering unit processor, ANT-00800T-1 L/S-band antenna, LDP-050-AB-1 airborne-rugged 5-inch diagonal display and GPS-FLR-100-1 active GPS splitter. Shipments, which are expected to begin in August 2020, are scheduled to run through the end of the year.

"We are very proud that our industry-leading integrated data acquisition technology has been selected by Korea Aerospace Industries to support the important 5th generation K-FX fighter jet program, further strengthening our long and successful relationship,” said Lynn Bamford, President, Defense and Power Segments. “Curtiss-Wright uniquely offers the components and expertise needed to provide FTI customers with complete fully integrated FTI system solutions. We are especially pleased, as this contract represents the largest win to date for our industry-leading Axon data acquisition system technology, as well as the first 5th generation fighter jet deployment for Axon.”

Flight-test campaigns are critical to determine that a new aircraft meets design specifications, is functional and safe, and can be certified for use. Such campaigns require significant resources and any delays are very costly, making it critically important that all FTI equipment work reliably to ensure that no unplanned extra flights are needed.

About the Axon Product Family

The Axon product family is the most advanced airborne data acquisition system available today, offering low size, weight and power (SWaP) with the best feature set, data acquisition and thermal performance on the market. The Axon product family builds on Curtiss-Wright’s heritage as the leading supplier of rugged reliable data acquisition for aerospace applications.

Axon’s future proof design, using a high-speed serial backplane (1 Gbps dedicated link per module), ensures future high data rates are supported. Its low SWaP design means it can be located in tight spaces and operate reliably without requiring bulky heatsinks. This design also allows any of the Axon family user modules to be placed in ultra-miniature "Axonite" housings and located remotely, separated from the chassis by up to 10 meters. Locating data acquisition closer to the sensors can significantly decrease the installation time and cost of the instrumentation while simultaneously reducing wiring weight. Axonites can also offer significant system cost saving in larger installations by reducing the number of DAUs required in remote locations and thus cutting down on extra chassis, controller and power supply costs.

Curtiss-Wright designed the products covered by this agreement at its Aerospace Instrumentation facilities in Newtown, Pennsylvania and Dublin, Ireland. The products are being shipped to KAI in Sacheon-City, Gyeongnam, Korea.

Curtiss Wright