Warplanes: December 24, 2001

Archives

South Korea hopes to capture 30% of the world market for jet trainers (3,500 aircraft in the next 30 years) using its T-50 Golden Eagle. Once known as the KTX-2, it is an adaptation of the F-16 design. The T-50 weighs 14,200 pounds empty, and has maximum take off weight of 26,400 pounds. The GE F-404-12 engine has 17,700 pounds of thrust, driving the Golden Eagle to a maximum speed of Mach-1.4. The design load factor is +8gs (or -3gs). The service ceiling is 48,000 feet. The aircraft is designed for a lifetime of 8,000 flying hours. Six prototypes are on order, two T-50s, two A-50 attack jets, and two airframes for static testing. The South Korean government plans to buy 47 T-50s and 47 A-50s with production starting in 2003; the first will enter service in 2005. All will be delivered by 2010. The aircraft has fly-by-wire, two color five-inch multifunction displays, a heads up display, and HOTAS (Hands On Throttle And Stick) controls.--Stephen V Cole

 

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contribute. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   contribute   Close