The KAI T-50 Golden Eagle is a family of South Korean supersonic advanced trainers and light combat aircraft, developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) with Lockheed Martin.
In general, the T-50 series of aircraft closely resembles the F-16 in configuration. The T-50 is South Korea’s first indigenous supersonic aircraft and one of the world’s few supersonic trainers.
The development of the aircraft was funded 70% by the South Korean government, 17% by KAI, and 13% by Lockheed Martin.
Development began in the late 1990s, and its maiden flight occurred in 2002.
The aircraft was formally designated as the T-50 Golden Eagle in February 2000.
The T-50A designation was reserved by the U.S. Military to prevent it from being inadvertently assigned to another aircraft model. Final assembly of the first T-50 took place between 15 January and 14 September 2001.The first flight of the T-50 took place in August 2002, and initial operational assessment from 28 July to 14 August 2003.
The T-50 is equipped with a GE F404 engine with Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) built under license by Samsung Techwin.
The aircraft has a maximum speed of Mach 1.5.
The aircraft entered active service with the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) in 2005.
The T-50 has been further developed into aerobatic and combat variants, namely T-50B, TA-50, and FA-50. The F-50 single-seat multirole fighter variant was considered. The T-50B serves with the South Korean air force’s aerobatics team.
The TA-50 light attack variant has been ordered by Indonesia.
The Philippines ordered 12 units of the FA-50 variant.
Thailand ordered 12 units of the T-50 advanced trainer variant.
The T-50A was marketed as a candidate for the United States Air Force’s next-generation T-X trainer program, but failed to win.
KAI and Lockheed Martin are currently pursuing a joint marketing program for the T-50 internationally.
Latest News
ITPS Canada Ltd, a commercial provider of tactical aviation training services, is poised to buy between eight and 12 examples of the South Korean FA-50 two-seat Korea Aerospace Industries FA-50 Fighting Eagle light combat aircraft to its roster. The FA-50 is based on the T-50 from Korea.
ITPS wants to “promote the FA-50 for tactical and adversary training,”as it plans to entirely replace its legacy Aero Vodochody L-39C Albatros jet trainer fleet with the type.
ITPS President Giorgio Clementi said the aircraft will be based in Canada.
