The first T-50 development aircraft was due to make its third and final airworthiness validation flight at the end of last week. Planning calls for another eight envelope-expansion test flights this month, three focusing on stability and control and five on flutter characteristics.
The second T-50 is due to fly next month, and two A-50 pre-series aircraft will join the test programme during 2003. The programme is scheduled to comprise just under 1,150 flights and about 1,100h before the first production aircraft is handed over to the South Korean air force in October 2005. About 130 flights are due to be completed prior to initial production authorisation, demonstrating the full subsonic envelope and a top cruise speed of at least M1.2.
Source: Flight International