first flight KF-21 Boramae

[lomcovak]

first flight kf-21 Boramae
The KAI KF-21 Boramae (formerly known as KF-X) is a South Korean-lead fighter aircraft development program with the goal of producing an advanced multirole fighter for the South Korean and Indonesian air forces. The airframe is stealthier than any fourth-generation fighter, but does not carry weapons in internal bays like fifth-generation fighters, though internal bays may be introduced later in development.

The program is led by the South Korean government, which holds 60% of the program's shares. Indonesia took a 20% stake in the program in 2010, and the remaining 20% are held by private partners including the manufacturer Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). The KAI KF-X is South Korea's second domestic fighter jet development program, following the FA-50.

In April 2021, the first prototype was completed and unveiled during a rollout ceremony at the headquarters of KAI at Sacheon Airport. It was officially given the name Boramae[note 1] (Korean: 보라매, "young hawk" or "fighting hawk").The first test flight was conducted on 19 July 2022, with manufacturing scheduled to begin in 2026. At least 40 aircraft are planned to be delivered by 2028, with South Korea expecting to deploy a total of 120 of the aircraft by 2032. It will also be available for export market.
WATCH VIDEO!!!!!


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLHPz0OR-vU

 

[SaparotRob]

I would be hard pressed to distinguish it from an F-22 at a distance.

 

[J_P_C]

I would be hard pressed to distinguish it from an F-22 at a distance.

no surprise considering "warm and friendly" relationship between LM and KAI - obviously all stories suggesting that KAI is simply overseas workshop of LM are false ones....

 

[Admiral Beez]

Here's a recent video.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wFL0eRJVGQ

Imagine Poland or Ukraine flying these.

 

[GTX]

Imagine Poland or Ukraine flying these.

Poland is getting F-35s which I believe are more capable

 

[Admiral Beez]

Poland is getting F-35s which I believe are more capable

True. But Poland is getting both US Abrams and South Korean K2 tanks. Presumably South Korean fighters will have some interoperability with allied USAF fighters, so perhaps Poland could get both, using the cheaper South Korean fighter to expand its ranks.

 

[GTX]

True. But Poland is getting both US Abrams and South Korean K2 tanks.

They are getting the K2s mainly because they couldn't get enough M1A2 SEP V3s fast enough. From what I understand they originally wanted 1000+. That said, the Koreans have also offered some attractive offset style packages.

Presumably South Korean fighters will have some interoperability with allied USAF fighters, so perhaps Poland could get both, using the cheaper South Korean fighter to expand its ranks.

They would/should be interoperable. I would avoid going for too many types though as it drives up sustainment costs. I would also caution against assuming the KF-21 will be less expensive. The F-35 is after all already less expensive than the Saab Gripen.

 

[SaparotRob]

Economy of scale. That's what really doomed the F-22.
It may have become prudent to source weapons from different nations until its own industry starts spooling up.