Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

The due diligence team of the T-X project, the U.S. Air Force’s jet trainer introduction project, has experienced the excellence of TA-50 made with our own technology.

The Korean Air Force supported TA-50 boarding for the due diligence team of the U.S. Air Force on July 17.

Major-to-be Lee Seong-wook and Lieutenant Lee Kwang-won from the 16th fighter wing put the team in the backseat of the TA-50 and conducted two sorties each morning and afternoon respectively, four times in total.

“I have focused on making the due diligence team experience excellent maneuverability, safety, and high-tech equipment with the advanced digital technology of TA-50 as it is our world-class top trainer aircraft. I hope today’s flight would help for the next U.S. Air Force’s jet trainer project,” said the Major-to-be.

As a trainer/fighter jet for fostering combat pilots, TA-50 has the same platform as T-50, the jet trainer, and is able to equip up to 10,000 pounds of armament such as AIM-9 and AGM-65.

The due diligence team visited the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), 16th Fighter Wing and Logistics Command from July 15-18, checking training effect with the jet trainer, T-50, and their operation and maintenance.

The Air Force gave full support to the T-X project by promoting T-50’s excellent performance, the excellence of the flight training system it has, and the reduction effect when deploying a fighter squadron after T-50 flight training as well as introducing a ground education system and maintenance/follow-up logistical support system.

The U.S. Air Force’s T-X project is to introduce a total training system replacing the old jet trainer, T-38C. Its expected size is 350-500 and program cost estimated at 10 billion dollars. There are Italian M-346, the UK’s Hawk-128 and Boeing-Saab’s JAS-39 coming into competition with T-50.

By Seung-Bok, Lee < yhs920@dema.mil.kr >

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