Self Defense of KFX Fighter

29 September 2019

KF-X prototype will begin production in October 2019 and scheduled to come out in April 2021 (image : Choi Jong Yun)

New and old information about KF-X unveiled after the recent Critical Design Review (CDR) session.

1) 9,300 pages out of 12,000 pages of detailed blueprints have been completed, accounting for about 78% of detailed design process.

2) Although exact specification is classified, KF-X's Radar Cross Section (RCS) is said to be around 0.5㎡. According to Global Security, F/A-18E/F and Rafale have approximate RCS of 1㎡. F-15 has 25㎡while F-35 has 0.005㎡, respectively.

3) KF-X was designed with further development in mind. There is space reserved for internal weapons bay and KF-X, in theory, could be developed into a fully-fledged 5th gen fighter.

4) Around 65% of components for KF-X Block 0/1 is developed in South Korea. This is probably a similar percentage as the Swedish Gripen, which also employs a healthy mix of indigenous and foreign components.

Hanwha Systems KF-X AESA radar prototype undergoing testing (photo : news.joins)

5) When South Korea decided to purchase F-35A in 2015, Lockheed Martin promised transfer of 25 categories of technology. However, US government refused transfer of 4 categories: AESA radar, IRST, EOTGP, and integrated EW suite.

6) KF-X's AESA multi-function radar, which is being developed by Hanwha Systems, has 1,088 modules with 110km range against unspecificed RCS target. F-35's radar has 1,200 modules for comparison.

7) A single set of 16-radar-modules for KF-X's radar costs around $45,000. Imported module costs $80,000.

8. KF-X radar prototype already completed ground and air-based testing in Israel in cooperation with ELTA systems. It will begin testing in Korea this November and will be installed on KF-X prototype aircraft in 2023.

9) KF-X's exterior design underwent 9 major changes since the first design was chosen by ADD. KF-X initially weighted 12.1 tons, but had to decrease the weight by 500kg.

10) A total of 230,000 individual components had to be meticulously designed. A standard automobile has around 20~30,000 components.

11) 1,250 engineers are working on the KF-X project. First prototype is expected to be rolled out in April 2021. First 8 production models will be delivered to the Air Force in 2026, but there could be delays since most countries conduct testing for 5~8 years.

(RoKArmed Forces)