Consistent with the announcements of defence minister Mariusz Błaszczak, 48 light-duty FA-50 multi-purpose machines are to be sent to Poland to complete 3 squadrons. The first machines will be in the country next year.
The past of the aircraft begins in 1992, erstwhile the KTX-2 program, from which the T-50 originates, began. Work on the mark construction was initiated in 1997. For the improvement of the aforesaid structure was Korean Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in collaboration with American Lockheed Martin. Lockheed Martin is an F-16 fighter manufacturer, hence the plan of the Korean T-50 has many common features (mainly aerodynamic strategy and avionics). Not only was the aircraft to be formed, but the full strategy of training pilots present and future multitasking machines. In August 2002, the first prototype went into the air (it was worth mentioning that the 3 and 4 prototypes were in the school-fighting version of TA-50) and the 3 years later the first serial aircraft. Production began in 2005 at the Sacheon plant.
The T-50 is intended to replace the Northrop T-38A “Talon” school aircraft, while the TA-50 and FA-50 (about which later) will replace the outdated Northrop F-5B fighters.
The T-50 (school version) is equipped with a GE F404 engine with Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) built under licence by Samsung Techwin. The engines of this household drive, among others, F/A-18 Hornet and, JAS-39 Gripen. The aircraft has a classical cabin, where the first chair is designed to give the student and behind him, somewhat higher, sits the instructor. An active fly-by-wire control strategy was used. The pilot controls the aircraft utilizing the HOTAS (Hands-On Throttle And Stick) system. The cab is adapted to usage night imagination goggles. 2 multi-purpose colour monitors 5 × 5 inches and a HUD display were installed in the cab. Plane systems can simulate radar, weapons and simulate enemy operations. The aircraft may additionally carry 3 rejected fuel tanks of 570 litres each. The maximum velocity is 1.5 Mach. This version is equipped with the Korean Aerobatic squad ROKAF Black Eagles.
The TA-50, the school-bottle version, is equipped with AN/APG-67 multi-purpose radar. It can carry targeting trays and reconnaissance. The scope is about 1,800 km and a ceiling of 14,600 metres and the maximum take-off is 12 tonnes. The fuselage mounted the M61 Vulcan caibru cannon 20 mm. Weapons carried on 7 pylons consist of undirected and guided bombs and missiles (Hydra 70 rocket launchers and LOGIR , Mk-82 general intent bombs, -83 and -84, AGM-65 Maverick missile, CBU-58 cluster bombs and Mk-20). Air-to-air missiles of short scope AIM-9 Sidewinder can be carried on the wing tip. On this platform, it was planned to make a version of the aircraft designation and electronic combat (for now the destiny of this variety is unknown).
The FA-50 is now the most advanced version of the “Golden Eagle”. It is equipped with Elta EL/M-2032 fire control radar. It has 7 arms nodes on which to hang 4,500 kilograms of weapons. It is akin to TA-50. In order to increase the capabilities of the aircraft, it is possible to plug in the targeting trays, including Sniper or LITENING, Condor 2 reconnaissance trays, or Rafael Sky Shield (simplify the tank for jamming enemy radars). Currently, Korean aviation is equipped with the Block 1. FA-50 has a data transmission strategy Link 16. A radio-electronic self-defense strategy was installed, in the form of a device informing against radio-location radiation and flare and dipole launchers.
Poland is likely to order Block 2 which has not yet entered service. It is characterized by the ability to carry mid-air-to-air AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles. Work is underway to integrate the aircraft with dense air-ground and long-range air-water weapons (e.g. Naval Strike rocket (NSM) anti-ship missiles on the condition of the Polish army). In the end, aircraft are to receive AESA radars. The anticipation of refueling in the air is besides considered.
Currently users of various versions of T-50/TA-50/FA-50 aircraft are: South Korea, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Iraq.
The T-50 “Golden Eagle” fleet is characterised by 90 percent operational readiness (at around 300 1000 hours of raid).
FA-50 – the right way?
Expert opinions on buying 48 TA-50 are divided. It is simply a light platform that yields abilities to Poland's F-16 C/D Block 50/52+. So there are many voices that it would definitely be better to buy a smaller number of 4th generation multipurpose multipurpose machines (most likely another F-16).
The FA-50 is supported by the fact of twice the lower price (estimated) compared to F-16. The cost of flight time is 5 times lower than F-16. Therefore, the FA-50 could execute a little challenging task, like Air Police, by relieving another aircraft. According to the manufacturer, moving from behind the rudders “Golden Eagle” to F-16 is simply a fewer hours of training. Thus, the Korean aircraft could mostly replace another machines from school assignments, thus saving money as well as resusks.
And what tasks would the FA-50 have during the conflict? This light device seems perfect for centrifugalling on adjacent landing sites. She would fly towards her targets, launch missiles and head back to the airport. So he would play the function of a truck for weapons. She did not have the task of entering a close connection with her opponent or even a maneuvering battle. It would support anti-aircraft defence and carry out targeted land strikes and reconnaissance tasks.
At the beginning of the second part of the article, we will gotta wait until the plane is in effect.
Text: Tomasz Hens
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