Paul Lewis/SINGAPORE
SOUTH KOREA HAS asked US and European engine manufacturers, to submit proposals for a new or derivative-development 71kN (16,000lb)-thrust turbofan, for its planned KTX-II advanced trainer/light combat aircraft.
Lockheed Martin is already working with South Korean lead contractor Samsung Aerospace on a preliminary KTX-II design, as part of its F-16 offset package. The Lockheed Martin proposal is built around a single General Electric F404 engine.
South Korea is understood to be looking at possible new derivative developments, based on existing military or civil engines, as an alternative to the F404. The Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) requirement calls for the KTX-11 to be capable of Mach 1.4 dry and Mach 1.6 with reheat.
Engines under consideration include uprated twin versions of the Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Adour. The so-called "Super Adour" would offer a degree of commonality with the 25kN-thrust Adour 861 engine in service with RoKAF's British Aerospace Hawk Mk.67 trainers.
BMW Rolls Royce has been asked to look at developing a military variant of its BR.700 series. The proposed engine would combine the core of the larger BR.715 with a new high-pressure turbine. Samsung is already interested in the BR.715 to power the planned Sino-Korean KCX 100-seat passenger aircraft.
South Korea has also approached Pratt & Whitney and its partner, MTU, with a similar suggestion for producing a military version of its 65-105kN mid-thrust family engine (MTFE). It would feature the MTFE's core, together with an MTU compressor and single-stage high-pressure turbine. The engine is also a contender for the KCX aircraft.
In the meantime, BAe, Daimler-Benz Aerospace and Dassault Aviation of France have submitted alternative bids to the Korea Agency for Defence Development (ADD) for joint development of the KTX-II (Flight International, 10-16 May, P20).
The seriousness of South Korea's effort to find either an alternative KTX-II airframe partner or engine supplier is unclear. Seoul-based defence sources, however, suggest that the country is unhappy with the level of Lockheed Martin's involvement, and the amount of technology transfer offered.
"This is either a stalking horse to use against Lockheed Martin, or a genuine move to try and obtain more technology from Europe than is currently being offered," says one source.
All three European bids are understood to comply with South Korea's KTX-II requirements, and are now under evaluation by the ADD. A decision on the programme's future course is expected shortly.
Source: Flight International
