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SOUTH KOREA DEVELOPS THE GOLDEN EAGLE TRAINER

A new supersonic trainer for the South Korean Air Force is still among the few active development programs of the Asian aviation industry. Since the official program start in 1997, a few things have changed - least of all the name. Instead of KTX-2 the aircraft is now called T-50/A-50 Golden Eagle.

The manufacturer has changed as well. Last October Samsung Aerospace, which used to be the main contractor, was merged with Daewoo Heavy Industry's aviation sector as well as Hyundai Space and Aircraft to form Korean Aerospace Industries.

The merging of their aerospace activities was a dramatic step for the rivalling industrial conglomerates. And it is by far not the last, because the government in Seoul is currently looking for a foreign investor to allegedly take on a 30 per cent share in the new company. That would be valued at 130 million US-Dollars. At the moment the contenders are BAE Systems and Boeing as well as Lockheed Martin in conjunction with Aerospatiale Matra (EADS), Dassault, CFM International and Snecma.

It is not surprising that these names appear on the list of interested parties, because these companies are jostling for positions in a market which promises some very lucrative military contracts within the net few years. The purchase of a new twin-jet fighter, (Rafale, F-15E, Eurofighter?), of attack helicopters and AWACS is on the agenda. Apart from this the South Koreans intend to expand their business of supplying regional jets.

BAE would like to push its Hawk trainer instead of the T-50, although this train of thought has already been turned out to be wishful thinking. KAI and Lockheed Martin are confident as far as the Golden Eagle is concerned. It was reported at the Asian Aerospace that the current development phase is progressing well. The manufacturing of selected tools had already been started.

The critical design review will be in August of this year, and the maiden flight will take place in June 2002. Four aircraft will take part in the flight test program, which will take until the middle of 2005. Handing over of 94 Golden Eagles to the South Korean Air Force is planned from October 2005, where they will initially replace the T-38 and after that the F-5.

Internationally the market potential of the T-50/A-50 is estimated to be over 600 aircraft. There is still no competitor. Dasa is looking for a partner for its comparable Mako, which is technically more modern. The top management cannot consent to a program start without such a partner. During the course of this year a decision will be made whether this program is to be continued.

From page 32 of FLUG REVUE 5/2000