Third KF-21 Fighter Prototype Succeeds in Maiden Flight

06 Januari 2023

Third prototype of KF-21 fighter (photo : ROKArmed Forces)

SEOUL (Yonhap) -- The third prototype of South Korea's homegrown fighter KF-21 Boramae conducted its successful maiden flight Thursday, the arms procurement agency said, signaling progress in the country's high-profile jet development project.

The prototype took off from the Air Force's 3rd Flying Training Wing in Sacheon, about 300 kilometers south of Seoul, at 1:01 p.m. and completed a 37-minute flight, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).

The first and second KF-21 prototypes carried out their maiden flights in July and November, respectively.

Unlike the previous models, the latest prototype is equipped with systems needed for tests on both the fighter's speed and loadable weight, paving the way for more tests on the fighter's capabilities, according to DAPA.

Previously, the speed test was conducted only on the first prototype, while the second prototype was used to test the plane's structural load capacity.

The agency said it plans to start conducting flights for three more prototypes in stages by the first half of this year under a plan to conduct some 2,000 tests in total by February 2026.

Launched in 2015, the 8.8 trillion-won (US$6.9 billion) KF-21 project is aimed at developing a supersonic fighter to replace South Korea's aging fleet of F-4 and F-5 jets. (Yonhap)

Third prototype of KF-21 fighter (photo : ROKArmed Forces)

S. Korea seeks to achieve supersonic speeds of homegrown KF-21 fighter this month: sources

SEOUL (Yonhap) -- South Korea plans to conduct a test of its homegrown KF-21 fighter to achieve supersonic speeds this month should the weather permit, multiple sources said Thursday, in what would be a key milestone in the high-profile warplane development project.

Securing the supersonic capability is a major part of the development efforts, led by its manufacturer, Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI), as it means key functions, including avionics, work smoothly irrespective of flight speeds.

"We plan to conduct the test (for supersonic speeds) sometime in January, but we cannot tell you the exact date as it could be pushed back due to weather conditions," the source told Yonhap News Agency on condition of anonymity.

On Thursday, the third prototype of the fighter successfully conducted its maiden flight, signaling progress in the high-profile fighter project. The testing authorities plan to conduct some 2,000 flight tests through February 2026.

Launched in 2015, the KF-21 project worth 8.8 trillion won (US$6.9 billion) seeks to develop the 4.5th-generation fighter to replace the country's aging fleet of F-4 and F-5 jets waiting to be decommissioned following decades of service.

(Yonhap)