Korea Aerospace Industries and Lockheed Martin to revise cockpit to suit F-16 Block 60s entering service next year
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Lockheed Martin have unveiled proposals for a United Arab Emirates-specific variant of their T-50 Golden Eagle lead-in fighter.
The variant, designated T-50U, would feature a revised cockpit adding a third multifunction display (MFD) to more closely match the UAE's Lockheed F-16 Block 60 aircraft entering service next year.
The UAE continues to investigate options for a new-generation pilot training system. However, no acquisition is considered likely before 2005 with a probable in service target date after 2008.
Other contenders include the Aermacchi M346, Aero Vodochody L-159, the BAE Systems Hawk and EADS Mako.
The existing T-50 cockpit features two 130 x 130mm (5 x 5in) MFDs. The T-50U version would add a 130 x 180mm MFD in the central panel position and a moving map capability. The new cockpit would also have head-up display symbology matching that on the UAE's Dassault Mirage 2000-9s.
The T-50U cockpit would also incorporate minor switch panel changes, including the addition of a Terma electronic-warfare suite controller and engine utility controls taken from the F-16 Block 60.
Mission system changes include fitting a Thales TBA-6030 datalink, also used on the F-16 Block 60. Lockheed Martin and KAI propose to load the mission system with a variety of simulation modes. These include adding an emulation of the F-16 Block 60's APG-80 radar to the T-50's Raytheon APG-67 radar. Embedded ordnance emulations would include the Raytheon AGM-65, AIM-120 and AIM-9 missiles.
EADS expects ongoing UAE involvement in its Mako development programme, if additional risk-sharing partners can be identified. EADS marketing manager for military aircraft Sander Hos says the outcome of the Eurotrainer programme will affect future Mako decisions.Source: Flight International
