KAI T-50 Golden Eagle

From Canadian Power Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
An FA-50 Golden Eagle of the Republic of Korea Air Force on a training flight on February 5th, 2015.

The KAI T-50 Golden Eagle (골든이글) is a family of South Korean supersonic advanced trainers and light combat aircraft, developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) with Lockheed Martin. The T-50 is South Korea's first indigenous supersonic aircraft and one of the world's few supersonic trainers. Development began in the late 1990s, and its maiden flight occurred in 2002. The aircraft entered active service with the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) in 2005.

The T-50 has been further developed into aerobatic and combat variants, namely T-50B, TA-50, and FA-50. The F-50 single-seat multirole fighter variant was considered. The T-50B serves with the South Korean air force's aerobatics team. The TA-50 light attack variant has been ordered by Indonesia. The Philippines ordered 12 units of the FA-50 variant. The T-50A is being marketed as a candidate for the United States Air Force's next-generation T-X trainer program. Thailand ordered 4 units of the T-50 advanced trainer variant.

Variants[edit | edit source]

Base variants[edit | edit source]

  • T-50: Advanced trainer version.
  • T-50B: Aerobatic specialized T-50 version for Republic of Korea Air Force's aerobatic display team, the Black Eagles.
  • TA-50: Lead-in fighter trainer and light attack version.
  • FA-50: Light attack version, originally named A-50. A prototype from a converted T-50 first flew in 2011.
    • FA-50 Blk.10: Software upgrades to enable integration of Lockheed Martin AN/AAQ-33 Sniper targeting pod
    • FA-50 Blk.20: Integration of telescopic probe solution from Cobham Mission Systems for inflight refueling capability, conformal 300 gallon fuel tank for better range, integration of mid-range air-to-surface missiles and beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAMs), avionics upgrade and possible AESA radar.
  • F-50: A single seat multirole fighter variant that was considered but was canceled in favor of the KF-X.

Nation specific variants[edit | edit source]

  • Afghanistan:
  • Indonesia:
  • Iran:
  • Mexico:
  • Philippines:
  • Poland:
    • FA-50GL: Version of the FA-50 Blk.10 for the Polish Air Force.
    • FA-50PL: Version of the FA-50 Blk.20 for the Polish Air Force.
  • Thailand:
    • T-50TH: Version of the T-50 for Royal Thai Air Force with some FA-50/TA-50 equipment and capability such as EL/M-2032 radar, MIL-STD-1760 interface, 20 mm gun, Radar warning receiver, Countermeasures dispenser system. Compatible with Laser-guided bombs, AIM-9 Sidewinder and AGM-65 Maverick, integration for Beyond-visual-range missile included
  • United States:
    • T-50A: Failed candidate for the US Air Force's T-X program, based on the FA-50.
    • TF-50A: Candidate for the US Air Force's Advanced Tactical Trainer program, based on the FA-50.
    • TF-50B: Candidate for the US Navy's Tactical Surrogate Aircraft program, based on the FA-50.

Users[edit | edit source]

  • Afghanistan
    • Afghan Air Force - 24 x FA-50AFG
  • Colombia
    • Colombian Air Force - 20+ x T-50/FA-50 on order
  • Indonesia
    • Indonesian Air Force - 16 x T-50I + 6 more on order
  • Ireland
    • Irish Air Corps - 16 x T-50
  • Iran
    • Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force - 24 x T-50IR
  • Republic of Korea
    • Republic of Korea Air Force - 50 x T-50, 10 x T-50B, 22 x TA-50, 60 x FA-50
  • Malaysia
    • Royal Malaysian Air Force - 18 x FA-50 Blk.20
  • Mexico
    • Mexican Air Force - 12 x T-50MX
  • Philippines
    • Philippine Air Force - 12 x FA-50PH + 12 more on order
  • Poland
    • Polish Air Force -12 x FA-50 Block 10 and 36 x FA-50PL Block 20 on order
  • Senegal
    • Senegalese Air Force - 4+ x FA-50
  • Slovakia
    • Slovak Air Force
  • Spain
    • Spanish Air Force - 50 x T-50
  • Thailand
    • Royal Thai Air Force - 12 x T-50TH

See Also[edit | edit source]

Related Development[edit | edit source]

Comparable Aircraft[edit | edit source]