Korea KF-X/ IF-X (KF-21) program

[Umigami]

Why these prototypes always carrying 4 meteors?

 

[Umigami]

Another clip of KF-21 supersonic test flight. Mach 1.05 with afterburner at 40,000 feet high altitude carrying 4 Meteor dummies (~760 kg) under belly. Tailed by KF-16U double-seat fighter aircraft.

Speed dropping bellow mach 1 after afterburner turned off. So it's not Super cruise capable?

 

[Chocopie]

Why these prototypes always carrying 4 meteors?

Meteors will be the standard weapon load of KF-21, so tested in any flight situation. And 4 test dummies, not real armed missiles.

 

[Chocopie]

Speed dropping bellow mach 1 after afterburner turned off. So it's not Super cruise capable?

No. Few fighter aircraft models are really supercruise capable, most of them only in special configurations (fuel tanks, weapon load, engine).

Supercruise - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[Umigami]

But there are times that area will be empty, right?

And 4 test dummies, not real armed missiles.

Yeah I knew that

 

[Chocopie]

They‘ll make 2.000 test flights. With and without missiles I guess.

 

[Umigami]

Possible of integration of Safran Hammer to TA50 and Indonesian Boramae

Direktorat Jenderal Potensi Pertahanan Kemhan RI

www.kemhan.go.id

"The Safran Group also guarantees AASM-HAMMER compatibility on the T-50 and KFX/IFX aircraft made jointly by PTDI and KAI and hopes to be installed as part of the Rafale Fighter Jet armament."

 

[Isbara]

Very nice.
Tests are going on with a good pace.

We have accelerated our TFX programme too. I wish neither of us fail our projects and we see those beuties in the inventory of our air forces. And may be in an exvercise together.

 

[urban mine]

(Personally, I think "Pro Pilot" is a reliable Korean YouTube channel in the defense sector because it delivers accurate and interesting information to the public through interviews with experts, unlike other idiots.)

Today's "Pro Pilot" interviewed Angie Elimar Siagian SH of KKIP about the outlook of KFX/IFX. I first learned about the existence and role of KKIP, and it was interesting to see how Indonesians view KFX/IFX.(Before the interview, he said that this was his personal opinion.)

To sum up,

-The KFX/IFX program is one of the important cooperation between the two countries, and the relationship between Korea and Indonesia is already a strategic partnership, and cooperation is taking place not only in the defense sector but also in other economic sectors.

-However, cooperation is becoming more important due to the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the loss of Indonesian engineers, and I think Indonesian companies should participate more. Broader cooperation is needed than some production of fighter wings and slots in charge of Indonesia.

- The issue of technology transfer and contribution, which is controversial in Korea, is already being discussed at the government level, so there is no big problem.

- The problem with the KFX/IFX program is that the economy is limited in size. First of all, there are no participating countries except Korea and Indonesia. In Korea, more than 800 companies participated, creating 120,000 jobs, but in Indonesia, there is only one PTDi.
Think of the JSF program. Eight countries participated and were already scheduled to sell to three countries before completion. There is a lot of job creation on top of that.

- Will 4.5th generation fighter jets like KFX/IFX be competitive in the future market? It can be attractive for countries that do not have 5th generation fighter jets such as the F-35. However, since 5th generation fighter jets can become common in the 2030s, it is necessary to develop 5th generation fighter jets, and for this, it is necessary to carry out a UAV development program that both countries can operate in connection with KFX/IFX.

 

[Windchime]

The problem with the KFX/IFX program is that the economy is limited in size. First of all, there are no participating countries except Korea and Indonesia. In Korea, more than 800 companies participated, creating 120,000 jobs, but in Indonesia, there is only one PTDi.
Think of the JSF program. Eight countries participated and were already scheduled to sell to three countries before completion. There is a lot of job creation on top of that.

- Will 4.5th generation fighter jets like KFX/IFX be competitive in the future market? It can be attractive for countries that do not have 5th generation fighter jets such as the F-35. However, since 5th generation fighter jets can become common in the 2030s, it is necessary to develop 5th generation fighter jets, and for this, it is necessary to carry out a UAV development program that both countries can operate in connection with KFX/IFX.

You've excluded a very important bit. The interviewee is mentioning uncertain economical benefits of the KF-X/IF-X program in sense as a reason for Indonesian hesitation for a full commitment to the KF-X/IF-X program. This is a deeply flawed approach as a program partner if you ask me. As I've mentioned before, a program partner in a program like KF-X is a risk and revenue sharing partner. They should levy the costs and risks stemming from the uncertainties of a R&D program and as a return gain revenue when the program enters commercialization/production phase. In case of KF-X the "return" stretches beyond just revenues.

Now, what this interviewee is saying is the direct opposite. He wants a concrete answer of commercial profitability of KF-X as a prerequisite for Indonesian commitment. You can always get a good estimate and expectations of how the program will proceed but anything beyond that is just unrealistic. If you don't want to hedge the uncertainties, then you are not a suitable partner. Couple that with his claims that Indonesia should demand more industry participation, it really is worrying if this is what the Indonesian officials are thinking concerning the program.

 

[urban mine]

You've excluded a very important bit. The interviewee is mentioning uncertain economical benefits of the KF-X/IF-X program in sense as a reason for Indonesian hesitation for a full commitment to the KF-X/IF-X program. This is a deeply flawed approach as a program partner if you ask me. As I've mentioned before, a program partner in a program like KF-X is a risk and revenue sharing partner. They should levy the costs and risks stemming from the uncertainties of a R&D program and as a return gain revenue when the program enters commercialization/production phase. In case of KF-X the "return" stretches beyond just revenues.

Now, what this interviewee is saying is the direct opposite. He wants a concrete answer of commercial profitability of KF-X as a prerequisite for Indonesian commitment. You can always get a good estimate and expectations of how the program will proceed but anything beyond that is just unrealistic. If you don't want to hedge the uncertainties, then you are not a suitable partner. Couple that with his claims that Indonesia should demand more industry participation, it really is worrying if this is what the Indonesian officials are thinking concerning the program.

Wasn't it already a buzz at the Indonesian Air Force forum? That kind of thinking is so familiar to me that it's not worth discussing. (But I think you already know that I agree 100% with you. Because all Koreans have that idea.)

Before the interview, he said this was his personal opinion, but I think it is meaningful because it was refreshing to hear the opinions of Indonesian officials on Korean YouTube channels. I wonder how much authority he has in KKIP and how influential he is.

 

[Umigami]

'No going back' for S.Korea, Indonesia defence cooperation after jet funding dispute

SEOUL (Reuters) - Defence cooperation between South Korea and Indonesia will expand, diplomats from the two countries said on Friday, after a dispute over funding for a joint fighter jet project was resolved last year.

www.thestar.com.my

 

[Umigami]

Double seater first flight

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1627536653127409664

 

[urban mine]

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration said on Tuesday that the KF-21 prototype No. 4 flew for 34 minutes from The 3rd Flying Training Wing in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province, successfully completing its first flight.

The prototype took off at 11:19 a.m. and landed at 11:53 a.m. on the same day. The pilot was Major Seung-hyun Jeon of The Air Force's 52nd Test & Evaluation Group.

Until system development is complete (expected in June 2026), the prototype No. 4 will be utilized for a variety of missions, including determining the impact of the difference in shape from a single-seat configuration on the aircraft and testing active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar performance.

The KF-21 made its maiden flight on July 19 last year and broke supersonic speed on July 17 last month. More than 110 test flights have been conducted in the seven months since the first flight.

The plan is to complete more than 2,000 test flights by February 2026.

- Differences between double- and single-seat aircraft shape

Unit 3

Unit 4

https://www.dapa.go.kr/dapa/na/ntt/selectNttInfo.do?bbsId=326&nttSn=43242&menuId=678

 

[Umigami]

Prototype 004

 

[Umigami]

Korean AESA now installed in KF21 aircraft for the first time (?)

 

[urban mine]

The third prototype of the KF-21 is tested with the AESA radar.

 

[urban mine]

KAI and Epic Games Korea sign MOU to collaborate on VR flight simulator technology

KAI 한국항공우주산업주식회사

KAI, 한국항공우주산업, 항공기개발, 항공기정비, 항공기구조물, 위성, 훈련체계, 발사체, 성능개량, KF21, KF-21, T-50, FA-50, KT-1, KC-100, LAH, LCH, KUH, Surion

www.koreaaero.com

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Epic Games Korea on March 2 to develop a VR flight training system.

Through the agreement, KAI will develop a KF-21 Korean fighter jet VR flight training simulator using Epic Games' Unreal Engine 5.

Epic Games' Unreal Engine is the world's most open and advanced real-time 3D creation tool, used to create virtual worlds for games, architecture, movies, automotive, and more.

Unreal Engine is used in a variety of industries, including architecture, automotive, and film, and its high resolution and accuracy enable realistic, immersive, and high-quality flight imagery.

KAI is building a future metaverse training system model that combines XR, VR, and other 4th industrial revolution technologies based on its aircraft and training system development technologies.

The VR-type flight simulator developed by KAI is a training system that provides a hands-on piloting environment prior to the existing large-scale (full-flight class) flight simulator training, enabling large-scale joint training to maximize the effectiveness of pilot training. It is also expected to reduce training costs due to its miniaturization and low operation and maintenance costs.

Based on this, KAI's strategy is to increase the military's aviation power and expand the export market by securing differentiated competitiveness in the defense export market.

The Metaverse training system can be expanded to include helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, submarines, and fast landing craft in the future, and can also be spun off to industries that require high-risk high-tech equipment operators, such as the private and public sectors.

"KAI has been developing training system technology based on various data acquired while developing aircraft for the past 30 years," said an official from KAI. "We will grow the training system business not as a sub-business of aircraft, but as a future food industry based on the 4th industrial revolution technology."

"We are pleased to sign a business agreement with KAI, a representative company of the Korean aerospace industry," said an official from Epic Games Korea. "Together with Unreal Engine, we will actively support the development of a VR flight simulation platform to further strengthen the competitiveness of the Korean aerospace industry.

https://www.koreaittimes.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=119885

 

[Umigami]

KAI and Epic Games Korea sign MOU to collaborate on VR flight simulator technology

View attachment 54647

KAI 한국항공우주산업주식회사

KAI, 한국항공우주산업, 항공기개발, 항공기정비, 항공기구조물, 위성, 훈련체계, 발사체, 성능개량, KF21, KF-21, T-50, FA-50, KT-1, KC-100, LAH, LCH, KUH, Surion

www.koreaaero.com

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Epic Games Korea on March 2 to develop a VR flight training system.

Through the agreement, KAI will develop a KF-21 Korean fighter jet VR flight training simulator using Epic Games' Unreal Engine 5.

Epic Games' Unreal Engine is the world's most open and advanced real-time 3D creation tool, used to create virtual worlds for games, architecture, movies, automotive, and more.

Unreal Engine is used in a variety of industries, including architecture, automotive, and film, and its high resolution and accuracy enable realistic, immersive, and high-quality flight imagery.

KAI is building a future metaverse training system model that combines XR, VR, and other 4th industrial revolution technologies based on its aircraft and training system development technologies.

The VR-type flight simulator developed by KAI is a training system that provides a hands-on piloting environment prior to the existing large-scale (full-flight class) flight simulator training, enabling large-scale joint training to maximize the effectiveness of pilot training. It is also expected to reduce training costs due to its miniaturization and low operation and maintenance costs.

Based on this, KAI's strategy is to increase the military's aviation power and expand the export market by securing differentiated competitiveness in the defense export market.

The Metaverse training system can be expanded to include helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, submarines, and fast landing craft in the future, and can also be spun off to industries that require high-risk high-tech equipment operators, such as the private and public sectors.

"KAI has been developing training system technology based on various data acquired while developing aircraft for the past 30 years," said an official from KAI. "We will grow the training system business not as a sub-business of aircraft, but as a future food industry based on the 4th industrial revolution technology."

"We are pleased to sign a business agreement with KAI, a representative company of the Korean aerospace industry," said an official from Epic Games Korea. "Together with Unreal Engine, we will actively support the development of a VR flight simulation platform to further strengthen the competitiveness of the Korean aerospace industry.

https://www.koreaittimes.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=119885

Put official module in DCS please

 

[urban mine]

Night Flight of the KF-21

Units 3 and 4 flew together.

This test flight
verified the proper operation of the aircraft's interior and exterior lighting under limited light conditions,

Aircraft lighting plays an important role in nighttime flight
in nighttime flight, such as preventing mid-flight collisions and enabling pilots to see their instruments.

With this test, the KF-21
It is expected that the KF-21 will be able to perform night flight missions.