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| Southeast Asia |
| South Korea starts Golden Eagle production |
| 2004-01-16 |
| The Republic of Korea (RoK) Defense Procurement Agency has placed a production contract for 25 T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic advanced jet trainers with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). The T-50 was developed by KAI with the assistance of Lockheed Martin as its principal subcontractor. The value of the contract has not been disclosed. The contract, awarded on behalf of the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) on 19 December 2003, covers the aircraft, mission equipment, integrated logistics support elements and production start-up costs. The first production T-50, to be built at KAI’s aircraft production facilities at Sacheon, South Korea, will be delivered in late 2005. Work on the project began in 1997 with the award of the full-scale development contract calling for two static/fatigue test airframes and four flying prototypes, the first of which flew on 20 August 2002. The workshare was 55% in the US, 44% in South Korea and the remaining 1% elsewhere. The RoK government has approved the purchase of about 100 aircraft: half in the basic T-50 configuration and half in the T-50 Lead-In Fighter Trainer (LIFT) version, designated A-50. The A-50 will be equipped with a multi-mode radar, an internal 20mm cannon and a weapon-delivery capability. The 25 aircraft in the initial contract to KAI are all in the basic T-50 configuration and the rest of the aircraft in the approved plan will be purchased in a follow-on contract. Lockheed Martin, providing technical expertise, is responsible for developing the T-50 avionics system, flight-control system and wings. key systems The two companies are collaborating to market the T-50 internationally. KAI’s president, Kil Hyoung-Bo, noted that the T-50 will now "transition from the only supersonic trainer in development to the only one in production". Maj Gen Namgung Hyuk, aerospace projects group commander, RoKAF, said: "We are looking forward to integrating this trainer into our air force. Like the other top air forces in the world, we are committed to providing the best equipment and training for our personnel and the T-50 contributes enormously to both objectives. The T-50 represents the most modern, highest-performance, advanced jet trainer for all our student pilots. And the A-50 will be a cost-effective lead-in fighter trainer for those selected for the fighter branch." Kil Hyoung-Bo said: "We are thrilled with this decision to go into production on the T-50. We have been looking forward to this milestone since we started full-scale development in 1997. Our entire team - composed of the Republic of Korea Air Force, KAI, the rest of the Korean aerospace industry, Lockheed Martin and our international industry partners - has worked in close co-operation and very diligently in meeting or exceeding all programme requirements on schedule. The T-50 is a critical programme in Korea’s national goal of developing a world-class aerospace industry this decade." |
| Posted by:rkb |
| #1 Golden Eagle... excellent name, it reminds me of an old Jack Nickalus (of Bear bites Shark fame) at the Masters. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-1-16 4:51:42 PM |