Turkey may join the KF-X South Korea

[marcos98]

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Turkey may join the KF-X South Korea

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/index.asp

The Korea Times reported last Wednesday, September 8, that Turkey has been showing interest in joining the development program of the KF-X fighter, South Korea The program has won investment from Indonesia, according to the newspaper .

Gen. Choi Cha-kyu, director general of bureal aircraft programs of DAPA (Defense Acquisition Program Administration - Program Management Defense Acquisition), during a forum held at the South Korean city of Gyeongju. According to Major General to Turkey runs about 180 F-16s and are considering, seriously, participation in the KF-X program to replace the old with new fighters, around 2020.

Choi Cha-kyu also said that the KF-X program, which began in 2002 but postponed for technical and financial problems, should start again next year, with the consent of authorities involved in the budget.

Industry sources said that Turkey's participation in the project could result in a swap deal: Turkey wants South Korea to consider the T-129 helicopter, under development for the Turkish Army, as a candidate for the AH-purchase program X, heavy attack helicopters.

The KF-X program seeks to develop a site similar game to the latest versions of F-16, circa 2022.South Korea will fund 60% of development costs, estimated at 5 trillion won (approximately $ 4.2 billion, or 7.3 billion reais). The rest should be financed by foreign nations or defense companies, sharing the risks.

Korea South Korea expects to receive transfers of technology relevant to aerospace companies in the United States and Europe. Possible partners include Boeing and Lockheed Martin, USA (the latter was a partner of a South Korean KAI to develop the supersonic trainer jet T-50 Golden Eagle, which can be seen in the photo below).


In Europe, possible partnerships could be made with the EADS group and Sweden's Saab (see below for a slide presentation of the latter, related to participation in the KF-X).



Initially expected to produce 120 fighters, with another 130 extra after the first reach operational capability. Production costs, after the development phase, estimated at 6 trillion won (about 5.14 billion dollars or 8.8 billion reais)

On July 15 this year, Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding (memorandum of understanding - MOU) that will bear 20% of the costs and the purchase of 50 fighter KF-X when mass production begins. It is expected that, entering the KF-X, Turkey is responsible for the same portion of funds to finance the development of Indonesia.

The KF-X program

The original proposal of the KF-X was to develop a fifth generation stealth fighter, with characteristics between the Dassault Rafale or Eurofighter Typhoon and Lockheed Martin F-35. Amid controversy about the feasibility of this plan, the DAPA commissioned a second study, in April last year, the Centre for Development and Application of Concepts of Weapon Systems, University of Konkuk.

The center recommended a development plan for an aircraft of type F-16 radar with an AESA (active electronically scanned), a suite of electronic warfare systems and data-link appropriate to an environment of network-centric warfare. It also recommended that the jet had, compared to the F-16, a combat radius of one and half times larger, longer cell 1.34 times longer and higher than those of avionics Block 50 version of American hunting.

Other requirements are a thrust of 50,000 pounds, which can be supplied either with the use of a single engine or twin engine, super speed and ability to intercept supercruise (flight of supersonic cruise without using afterburner). Also requires ability to hit targets in the air, land and sea.

[Markus]

Interesting news.

[yusa40]

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korea&turkey = awomse partnership.