With test flight programme 60% complete, second aircraft to enter final assembly
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) expects to deliver its first T-50 Golden Eagle advanced trainer to the South Korean air force in October 2005, slightly ahead of schedule. The company began final assembly of its first productionT-50 on 17 December under a late 2003 production contract for 25aircraft, which called for first delivery by December 2005.
KAI is now flying four T-50 test aircraft and is over 60% complete with the flight test programme. The chief of the South Korean air force was also due to fly the supersonic trainer for the first time on 4 January. "The development programme is validating an excellent design, and this has allowed us to proceed with production with no major changes," says KAI Sacheon plant general manager No Sun Park.
A second production aircraft will enter final assembly later this month, with five to be assembled by June.
The T-50 was developed in collaboration with Lockheed Martin, enabling KAI to leverage expertise gained from its assembly of 128KF-16s, the last of which was completed last August. South Korea has a requirement for 94 T-50s - 50 advanced trainers and 44 lead-in fighters, with a second batch to be ordered by 2006.
Industry sources say Boeing is also on track to deliver its first twoF-15Kmultirole fighters to South Korea next October. By delivering their first F-15Ks and T-50s early, Boeing and KAI hope to maximise their exposure at the 18-23 October Seoul Air Show.
BRENDAN SOBIE / SINGAPORE
Source: Flight International
