South Korea's Next Generation fighter taking shape

Photos released by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) reveal the first KF-X getting shape. According to the given timeline, Kai plans to roll out the joint South Korean and Indonesian 5th generation fighter prototype in April 2021, with the first flight planned in 2022. Six prototypes are expected to be completed in 2021. These are to undergo four years of trials, and complete the development process by mid-2026. GE Aviation, a subsidiary of General Electric, delivered the first F414-GE-400K engine in June 2020.

South Korea has been working since late 2015 to develop a home-grown fighter aircraft to replace the Air Force's ageing fleet of F-4 Phantom and F-5 jets. The "final" design was confirmed in 2019. According to KAI, the aircraft is designed to be able to fly at a maximum speed of Mach 1.81, with its flying range reaching 2,900 kilometers. It bears outward similarities to the fifth-generation F-35A. With a maximum payload of 7,700 kilograms, the fighter is capable of installing 10 pods for missiles and fuel barrels. It will be able to carry several types of air-to-air missiles, such as Germany's IRIS-T and European developer MBDA's active radar guided Meteor missiles.

Photos: KAI