TA-50 Series: South Korea’s Golden Eagle Jets Soar at Mach 1.5 with Night Attack Capability – Part 2

Can carry up to 4.5 tons, including precision-guided weapons

It also has a Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) that receives enemy radar threat information and a dispenser (CMDS) that can launch chaff and flares against threats. This survival equipment enhances battlefield situation awareness by early detection and analysis of enemy threats, enabling neutralization of enemy threats and improving the survivability of pilots and aircraft.

Night Vision Goggles (NVG) has been added to enable night attack mission performance. The addition of the Night Vision Imaging System (NVIS) has increased the night operation capability of the FA-50, preventing pilot flight illusions during night flights and enhancing night operation capability. It is possible to operate GPS-guided weapons such as Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser (WCMD).

Also, it is equipped with a Link-16 tactical data link to share battlefield information in real-time, in line with network-centric warfare. The engine used is the same F404-GE-102 engine used in the TA-50. The F404 engine significantly improves reliability and stability through a digital control device. In particular, it can fly at a maximum speed of Mach 1.5 through the F404 engine with a maximum thrust of 8 tons.

It can carry up to 4.5 tons, including basic armaments such as air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, general bombs, machine guns, as well as precision-guided weapons such as Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and Sensor Fuzed Weapon (SFW). The maximum takeoff weight is 27,117 pounds, slightly heavier than the 24,691 pounds of the F-5E/F. It is lighter than the 42,285 pounds of the KF-16.

The T-50 advanced trainer is regarded as the optimal model for training to operate cutting-edge fighter jets like the F-16 and F-35. This is thanks to its design as a supersonic trainer equipped with a digital flight control system and the latest combat equipment.

The T-50 aircraft is designed to maximize aerodynamic performance. Its top speed is Mach 1.5, its maximum altitude is 48,000 feet (about 14,630 meters), and its practical altitude is 40,000 feet (about 12,192 meters). Thanks to the 17,700 pounds (about 8 tons) of engine thrust from its turbofan engine, its maximum takeoff weight reaches 23,638 pounds (about 10 tons).

It has a digital flight control system (FBW·Fly-By-Wire) for high maneuverability and an advanced digital engine control system, the F-404-GE-102 engine, for improved stability. Furthermore, the aircraft structure and landing gear have been designed to meet higher structural load standards than typical fighter jets, resulting in top performance among trainers of the same class.

Its weight is 14,285 pounds (about 6.4 tons). Its size and weight are 80% and 70% of the F-16 fighter jet. It can achieve the maneuverability of an F-16 and the armament capability of an F-4. The life of the aircraft structure is over 8,000 hours. Thanks to these performances, the T-50 is known as the advanced trainer that produces the Red Muffler from the Air Force 1st Combat Flight Group.

Part. 1
Part. 3