Competing Western European, US and Russian aerospace manufacturers are hoping that South Korea will release the first of an anticipated two request for proposals (RFP) for its next generation F-X fighter by mid-1999 despite a series of continued programme slippages.
The South Korean air force had been expected to release a technical RFP in June, following initial information submissions at the start of this year. Since the release of a preliminary request for information in November 1997, Seoul has been forced to delay the F-X programme in the face of a major economic recession.
Release of the RFP has been progressively postponed, initially to September, then to the end of the year, and is now tentatively pencilled in for around June or July 1999. This will be followed by the issue of a second commercial RFP to a shortlist of two contenders in the first quarter of 2000 and final selection by early 2001.
The F-X requirement is for a multirole fighter capable of performing air superiority and deep strike missions to a range of 1,480km (800nm). The air force requires an initial batch of 60 fighters to replace its Mcdonnell Douglas F-4D/Es, with an initial operational capability targeted for around 2004-5 and the option for similar size follow-on purchase.
The air force is understood previously to have narrowed its choice down to four aircraft types. Boeing is proposing the F-15K based on the US Air Force's F-15E Strike Eagle and incorporating an improved Raytheon APG-63(V1) radar, expanded weapons capability and an improved environmental control system. CASA, with support from British Aerospace, is taking the lead among the four Eurofighter partners to promote the Eurofighter Typhoon. Dassault is competing with its Rafale and the Sukhoi Su-35/37 is another contender.
Lockheed Martin has already briefed the air force on possible further advanced developments of the F-16C/D, drawing on many of the elements to be incorporated into the United Arab Emirates Block 60 aircraft. Proposed enhancements on offer include new integrated avionics, internal sensors, 2,085litre (550USgal) conformal fuel tanks and 2,275litre underwing auxiliary tanks.
F-16 licence manufacturer Samsung Aerospace has been pressing the government for a follow-on order after it completes delivery of the last of 120 Block 52 aircraft in April 2000. The air force, however, has stated that it has no requirement for additional F-16s.
Sukhoi and Dassault are both offering South Korea licence manufacturing, with the latter stressing there "-would be no government restrictions" on the transfer technology. Eurofighter is also planning a comprehensive package of offsets, including possible local participation in the continuous technology insertion programme of enhancements planned for the Typhoon. Boeing is stressing the financial benefits of indirect industrial co-operation over local F-15 production.
Source: Flight International
