Güney Kore F-15K'larının Başına Gelenler...

Güney Kore Hava Kuvvetleri, yedek parça sıkıntısından dolayı yeni envantere aldığı son teknoloji ürünü F-15K' Slam Eagle savaş uçaklarının bakım onarımında "cannibalization"(*) uygulamasına başlamış.

Habere göre uçaklar için ihtiyaç duyulan yedek parçaların ancak 16% kadarı sağlanabilmekteymiş. Bu oranın normalde 70 - 80% olmasının gerektiği belirtilmiş.

F-15K uçakları için 2006 yılında 39 kez "cannibalization" işlemi uygulanmışken bu sayı 2007'de 203'e, 2008'de 350'ye çıkmış. Normalde yasak olan bu uygulama, ihtiyacın aciliyeti nedeniyle üst komutanlık emri ile yürürlüğe geçirilmiş. Herhangi bir zamanda 5 - 6 arası uçağın, yedek parça noksanlığı nedeniyle yerde kaldığı bildirilmiş.

İbretlik...

(*): Cannibalization: İngilizce "yamyamlık" anlamına gelen bu kelime, havacılık sanaayinde de kullanılan bir terim. Yedek parça sıkıntısı çekildiği durumlarda ya da durumun aciliyetine binaen, bir uçaktaki faal durumdaki yedek parçanın (elektronik aksam, hidrolik, mekanik parça vb), parçaya ihtiyaç duyan uçağa takılması. Böylelikle bir uçak, bir ya da daha fazla uçağın uçması için yedek parça kaynağı olarak kullanılmak üzere feda edilmiş oluyor.

Güney Kore - F-15K durumunda, uçağın oldukça yeni ve güncel bir model olması nedeniyle, yedek parça kaynağı olarak kullanılan F-15'in envanterden düşmesi gerekmeyebilir. ABD'den yedek parça akışı normal seyrine ulaştığında bu uçaklar da tekrar havalanabilirler. Ancak bu, durumun ilginçliğini değiştirmiyor.

New Fighter Jets Chronically Short of Spare Parts

Faced with a shortage of spare parts for its newest F-15K fighter jets, the Air Force is resorting to stripping components from one jet and putting them into another to keep them flying.

According to documents the Air Force submitted to Grand National Party lawmaker Kim Jang-soo, who heads the National Assembly's Defense Committee, the rate of availability of new spare parts for F-15K fighter jets was 16 percent last year, compared to between 70 to 80 percent for other fighter planes.

The so-called "concurrent spare parts" or CSP rate shows how much out of a year's worth of spare parts in inventory can be used immediately. Sixteen percent is spectacularly low.

Instead, the Air Force has resorted to cannibalizing other F-15K jets.

Instances of cannibalization rose from 39 cases in 2006 to 203 in 2007 and 350 in 2008. Cannibalization is prohibited, but authorization can be given by the top echelon when there is no other option, enabling the Air Force to maintain an operation rate of more than 80 percent for the F-15Ks. But at any given time, five to six of the jets remain grounded because components are missing.

The Air Force cites a lack of forecasts of "components needs" because it claims to be in the early stages of deploying F-15Ks, and blames manufacturer Boeing for failing to hand over the relevant information.

"Cannibalization will decrease with time as we gain more experience operating the F-15Ks, being able to forecast the potential shortage of different components," an Air Force spokesman said. He claimed cannibalization was common in air forces around the world.

But one former Air Force general said, "Cannibalization involves used parts, and when it comes to something as intricate as a fighter jet, a major malfunction could result."

englishnews@chosun.com / Oct. 14, 2009 12:15 KST

http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2009/10/14/2009101400826.html

Güney Kore KF-X Projesi’nde Önemli Değişiklikler

Doğu Asya’nın yükselen gücü Güney Kore, 2001 yılında başlattığı KF-X (Korean Fighter – X) 5. nesil taktik savaş uçağı projesinde önemli değişiklikler yapmaya hazırlanıyor.

Güney Kore Hava Kuvvetleri’nin 2020’lerden itibaren vurucu gücünün belkemiğini oluşturacak KF-X’in, en son teknoloji ürünü silah ve sensörler donatılması ve stealth özelliklerinin tüm rakiplerinden daha gelişmiş olması hedefleniyordu.

Ancak projenin maliyetlerinin aşırı yüksek olacağının hesaplanması ve bütçe kısıtlamaları, Güney Kore Savunma Tedarik Program Yönetimi’ni (Defense Acquisiton Program Administration; DAPA) alternatif çözümlere yöneltti: KF-X projesinin revize edilmemiş hali ile maliyetinin, 10 milyar Dolar’ı aşabileceği belirtiliyor.

Bu kapsamda Güney Koreli yetkililerin gündeminde, 4. nesil bir savaş uçağını yerli kaynaklarla geliştirip, sistem entegrasyonu ve altsistem tasarım ve üretiminde yabancı ortakla birlikte çalışmak var. Üretilecek uçağın kabiliyet bazında F-16 Block 50 seviyesinde olması öngörülüyor.

Revize edilmesi planlanan KF-X projesi ile ilgili olarak halihazırdan önde gelen taktik savaş uçağı üreticileri ile temas kurulup fizibilite ve maliyet çalışmaları için destek istenmiş durumda.

Date Posted: 30-Jul-2009

Jane's Defence Weekly

Economic pressures force South Korea to review KF-X project

Sebastien Falletti JDW Correspondent
Seoul


South Korea is contemplating a major rethink of its KF-X programme, which was aimed at developing a fifth-generation stealth fighter, amid growing budgetary constraints.

Asia's fourth-biggest economy is considering scaling back its ambitions by building a fourth-generation aircraft and, instead of developing the aircraft domestically as was originally intended, working in close co-operation with a foreign manufacturer, according to confidential government sources.

"We are considering refocusing the KF-X programme because of the excessive cost of developing a fighter," a source from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) told Jane's in late July.

The source said that a continuing feasibility study commissioned by the DAPA in April will call for radical changes in the required operational capabilities of the KF-X, which was initiated in 2001 and is supposed to become a key element of South Korea's air force beyond 2020.

Instead of pursuing the development of a fighter with superior stealth attributes to any aircraft currently in service, the report suggests building a multirole jet in the F-16 Block 50 capability range, Jane's understands.

Moreover, the study calls into question the indigenous nature of the programme by stressing the need for a strong partnership with a foreign firm. Seoul has asked several manufacturers, including Boeing, EADS and Saab, to provide input into the feasibility study, in particular regarding costs and development methods, according to one procurement source. Boeing's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Eurofighter's Typhoon or Saab's JAS 39 Gripen could therefore inform the development of the KF-X.

The main reason for the shift in approach is budgetary, according to defence analysts. Against the backdrop of the global economic downturn, Seoul has been confronted over recent months with a rising North Korean threat that is likely to require more funding in the short term at the expense of long-term programmes like the KF-X, an industry source said.

By developing the KF-X jointly with a foreign firm, Seoul could reduce the financial burden of a programme that is expected to cost at least USD10 billion. In contrast with his two predecessors, who had pushed hard for the development of a strong home-grown defence industry, President Lee Myung-bak has advocated a more careful budgetary approach based on cost-benefit analysis, which leaves more room for foreign manufacturers to participate.

South Korea's rethink could also reflect the technological challenges faced by its engineers when it comes to developing such an advanced aircraft. "Although they will continue to push for an indigenous programme, they do not yet have the technology. Therefore they need a foreign partner," an industry source told Jane's . Following the example of the Korea Utility Helicopter programme, which involves Eurocopter, the KF-X could potentially lead to important technology transfers.

The Ministry of National Defence refused to confirm the report and denied any strategic shift. "No decision has been made yet but several options are on the table," a source from the presidential office told Jane's . DAPA plans to take a decision on the KF-X programme in December, based on the ongoing feasibility study to be concluded in October.

Güney Kore Gözlem Uydusu Fırlattı

Güney Kore bugün TSİ 1005'de KOMPSAT-2 (Arirang-2) adlı gözlem uydusunu fırlattı. Coğrafi ve ekolojik araştırmaların yanısıra Kuzey Kore füze çalışmalarının da takip edilmesinde kullanılacak uydunun çözünürlüğü siyah beyaz görüntüler için 1.0-2.0m, renkli görüntüler için ise 4.0m. Uydu Rusya'daki Plesetsk uzay üssünden SL-19 (Rokot) roketi vasıtası ile yörüngeye yerleştirildi.

Arirang-2 Satellite Set For Launch

(Source: Korea Overseas Information Service; issued July 27, 2006)

Korea's multi-purpose satellite Arirang-2 is scheduled to lift off today aboard a rocket -- converted from an intercontinental ballistic missile -- shortly after 4 p.m. (Korean Time) from a Russian spaceport. The launch comes a day after a miniature satellite made by a Korean college blew up when its transportation rocket exploded.

The 900-kilogram-heavy satellite, designed by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, is expected to provide a substantially improved reconnaissance capacity to the country thanks to its multi-spectral camera (MSC).

"Loaded with Arirang-2, the Rockot rocket of Russia is to take off from a launch pad in the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, approximately 800 kilometers northeast of Moscow," said Choi Hae-jin, director at the state-backed institute.

"The MSC on Arirang-2, which will be placed at an altitude of 685 kilometers, has multiple functions including airborne surveillance," he added.

Originally, Arirang-2 was designed as a remote-sensing device for geographical surveys, natural resource searches and environmental observation. However, the high-definition MSC will be able to give real-time visual data on North Korea's missile launch preparations or military activities, which would be otherwise unavailable.

The camera can identify an object one meter in diameter. Only a handful of countries have satellite-based cameras as powerful.

Meanwhile, the miniature satellite made by researchers at Hankuk Aviation University, named Hausat-1, yesterday morning failed to achieve orbit when its booster rocket failed.

The Dnepr rocket -- also a converted missile -- carried 18 satellites including Hausat-1 but crashed shortly after takeoff from Kazakhstan.

Hausat-1 was a small box-sized satellite built on a minimal budget to help students understand the process of manufacturing satellites.

ROK launches multipurpose satellite successfully
www.chinaview.cn 2006-07-28 21:38:41

SEOUL, July 28 (Xinhua) -- South Korea announced Friday that a South Korean multipurpose satellite was launched successfully in Russia in the afternoon.

The satellite, which was dubbed Arirang 2, was lifted off from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, about 800 km northeast of Moscow, by a Russian rocket and has successfully sent signals to the Kenya satellite telemetry station from its orbit, said the South Korean Science Ministry and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI).

The Arirang 2 is expected to send a picture to South Korea's Daejeon ground control station around midnight from its orbit 685 km above the Earth, the ministry said.

The Arirang 2 satellite, which is designed for geographical updates, natural resource searches and environmental observation, will operate in a low orbit of 685 km from the earth and send high-resolution pictures of the earth's surface to South Korea.

According to local reports, local companies and Israel's Electro Optical Industries Ltd. jointly developed the high-resolution, multispectral camera equipped on the satellite, which has a resolution of 1 square meter that can distinguish individual cars on the ground.

The KARI said the satellite will travel 6.8 km a second and circle the globe more than 14 times a day.

South Korea launched the Arirang 1 satellite, which has a camera resolution that can distinguish buildings, in 1999.

Arirang 2 is the 9th South Korean satellites currently operating in space.

Following the Arirang 2, the KARI said South Korea will move forward with its space program that envisions sending 13 satellites into space by 2010.

Under the program, South Korea is expected to complete the construction of a rocket center in Goheung on the country's south coast next year and use a locally-built rocket to send a 100-kg mini satellite into orbit.

South Korea plans to launch the Arirang 3, which is likely to be equipped with a camera with a resolution of about 70 cm, next year and the Arirang 5, which will be equipped with a radar imaging device that can detect developments on the Earth's surfaceat night and in bad weather, in 2008.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-07/28/content_4889927.htm

ABD'den Güney Kore'ye SM-2 Satışı

ABD Savunma Bakanlığı'na bağlı Defense Security Cooperation Agency 5 Haziran günü ABD Kongresi'ne sunduğu bilgi notunda, Güney Kore'ye yapılması muhtemel RIM-66M-5 Standard SM-2 Block IIIB satışı ile ilgili bilgi verdi. 48 adet Standart 2 füzesi, Mk13 Mod0 lançeri ve ilgii yedek parçayı kapsayan olası satışın tutarı, tüm opsiyonlar uygulanırsa 111 milyon dolar civarında gerçekleşecek.

Söz konusu füzeler, Güney Kore'nin KDX-III destroyerlerinde kullanılacak.

Güney Kore bir süre önce de ABD'ye 42 adet AGM-84L ve 16 adet UGM-84L Harpoon siparişi vermişti.

Yine DSCA tarafından Japonya'ya RIM-66M-5 Standard SM-2 Block IIIB satışı ile ilgili 5 Haziran'da, RIM-161 Standard SM-3 Block IA satışı ile ilgili 6 Haziran'da duyurular yapılmıştı. Kuzey Kore'nin füze denemesi ile ilgili kriz sürerken bu haberler oldukça manidar diye düşünüyorum.

Korea - SM-2 Block IIIB Standard Missiles


(Source: US Defense Security Cooperation Agency; issued June 26, 2006)


WASHINGTON --- The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the South Korean Government of 48 SM-2 Block IIIB Tactical STANDARD missiles as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $111 million.

The Government of Korea has requested a possible sale of 48 SM-2 Block IIIB Tactical STANDARD missiles with Mk 13 Mod 0 canisters, containers, Intermediate-Level Maintenance spares and repair parts, supply support, personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical data, U.S. Government and contractor technical assistance and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $111 million.

The Government of Korea is one of the major political and economic powers in East Asia and the Western Pacific and a key partner of the United States in ensuring peace and stability in that region. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist our ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability, which will contribute to an acceptable military balance in the area. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives. No foreign policy or military developments affect this proposed sale.

Korea will use these missiles as the primary defensive system aboard its new KDX-III AEGIS destroyer for anti-missile ship protection. Korea has already integrated the SM-2 Block IIIA into its ship combat systems. It will have no difficulty absorbing these additional missiles into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic military balance in the region.

The prime contractor will be Raytheon Systems Company of Tucson, Arizona. Offset agreements associated with this proposed sale are expected, but at this time the specific offset agreements are undetermined and will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and contractors.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of U.S. Government or contractor representatives for six months to assist in the installation, testing, training, and support requirements.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law; it does not mean that the sale has been concluded.

Güney Kore'nin İlk Tip 214 Denizaltısı Denize İndirildi

Güney Kore'nin ilk Tip 214 denizaltısı 072 "Son Won Il", bugün Ulsan'daki Hyundai Heavy Industries tersanelerinde denize indirildi. Güney Kore donanması tarafından "KSS-2" tipi olarak adlandırılan bu botlardan 3 adet üretilecek.

Güney Kore Savunma Bakanlığı, Kasım 2000 yılında yeni denizaltı programı için HDW firması tasarımı Tip 214'ü seçtiğini açıklamıştı. İhalede Tip 214'ün rakibi Fransız Scorpene modeli idi. Tip 214'ün seçimi ile birlikte Rusya'dan $1.75 milyar karşılığında ikinci el Proje 636 Kilo modeli denizaltı alım planı da iptal edilmişti.

Tip 214'lerin üretim ihalesi $1.12 milyar karşılığında Hyundai Heavy Industries grubuna verilmişti. Hyundai proje boyunca HDW'den teknoloji transferi ve teknik destek sağlayacak. Güney Kore'ye 16 adet UGM-84L Harpoon füzesinin satışına ilişkin ABD DSCA açıklaması 31.03.2006 tarihinde yapıldı.

Güney Kore deniz kuvvetlerinin halihazırda yine Alman HDW tasarımı Tip 209 / 1200 modeli 9 adet KSS-1 / "Chang Bogo" sınıfı denizaltısı bulunuyor.

Tip 214'ün Güney Kore ile birlikte diğer kullanıcısı ise Yunanistan. "Papanikolis" sınıfı dört adet bottan ilki olan S120 Papanikolis 22.04.2004 tarihinde denie indirildi ve halen testlerine devam ediliyor.

Güney Kore'den Harpoon Siparişi

Güney Kore, ABD'ye 42 adet havadan atılan AGM-84L, 16 adet de denizaltılardan atılan UGM-84L Harpoon siparişi verdi. Konuyla ilgili ABD DSCA duyurusu 31.03.2006 tarihinde yayınlandı.

Güney Kore envanterinde 10 adet Tip 209 / 1200 (KSS-1 / "Chang Bogo" sınıfı) modeli denizaltı bulunmakta. İlaveten 3 adet Tip 214 (KSS-2) denizaltı da Alman HDW lisansı altında Hyundai tarafından üretilmekte. Havadan bağımsız tahrik sistemine (AIP - Air Independent Propulsion) sahip bu denizaltılar, dünyanın en modern konvansiyonel botları arasında.

Güney Kore Tip 209'ları, Atlas Elektronik üretimi ISUS 83 muharebe yönetim sistemi kullanmakta. Bu botların son üç adedine (068 "Lee Sunsin", 069 "Na Daeyong" ve 071 "Lee Eokgi") EHCLS (Encapsulated Harpoon Command and Launch Subsystem) entegrasyonu gerçekleştirilerek UGM-84 fırlatma kabiliyeti eklendi. Her bir Tip 209, 4 adet UGm-84 Harpoon taşıyabiliyor.

Yeni inşa edilecek Tip 214'lerde, ISUS 83'ün daha gelişmiş bir versiyonu olan ISUS 90 kullanılıyor. Bu botlar da Tip 209'lar gibi 4 adet UGM-84 taşıyabiliyor. ISUS 90 muharebe yönetim sistemi, Harpoon atışı, sistem içine gömülü AHWCS (Advanced Harpoon Weapon Control System) atış kontrol sistemi ile yönetiliyor; ilave bir atış kontrol sistemi entegrasyonuna gerek bulunmuyor.

Her bir botun 4 adet Harpoon taşıdığı bilgisi, fazla 4 füzenin eğitim atışları için kullanılabileceği tahmini ve mevcut Tip 209'lar için EHCLS entegrasyon işleminin maliyet - etkinliğinin düşük olacağı öngörüsü ile, söz konusu UGM-84 siparişinin Tip 214'ler için yapıldığı rahatlıkla öne sürülebilir.

Bu alımın, Tip 214'lerle birlikte donanmasını oldukça güçlendiren Güney Kore'ye, Uzakdoğu'nun ısınmaya başlayan sularında önemli bir kuvvet çarpanı olacağı aşikar...

Güney Kore'de Skandal: Thales Çalışanı Tutuklandı

Fransız savunma devi Thales'in Güney Kore temsilciliğinde çalışan bir yetkili, Güney Kore'nin yeni savaş gemileri ile ilgili gizli bilgileri çalmak suçlamasıyla dün tutuklandı. Eğer Thales çalışanının suçu sabit görülürse 15 yıla kadar hapis cezasına çarptırılması söz konusu.

İddiaya göre adı açıklanmayan ancak soyadı "Park" olan Thales çalışanı, bir Koreli savunma yetkilisinden, Güney Kore'nin yeni savaş gemileri için tedarik edeceği radarlarla ilgili gizli proje bilgilerini talep etmiş. Soyadı "Lee" olan bu Koreli savunma yetkilisinin sağladığı bilgiler karşılığında "Park", şirketinden 80 milyon won ($500,000) almış.

South Korea indicts French executive
By Choe Sang-Hun International Herald Tribune

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 2006

SEOUL The head of the South Korean office of Thales, the French military electronics maker, was indicted Tuesday on charges of illegally gathering classified data on the next-generation warships of the South Korean Navy, prosecutors said.

The Thales official was arrested Saturday, said Kim Hoon, a senior prosecutor in Daejeon, 160 kilometers, or 100 miles, south of Seoul. A South Korean arms broker and a researcher at the government-run Agency for Defense Development were arrested and indicted on charges of leaking the data to the Thales official.

Prosecutors refused to reveal the name of the Thales official. If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in prison under South Korean law.

Markus Leutert, a spokesman at Thales's headquarters in suburban Paris, said the employee "did not steal any documents."

"He is accused only of gaining access to these documents, which he obtained in good faith," Leutert said, adding that Thales had done business with the South Korean military for more than 30 years.

The company said it was "surprised by and regrets the decision" in South Korea.

Kim said the arrests should send alarms to the country's military procurement officers. This is the first case in which South Korean military secrets appear to have been funneled to a foreign arms dealer through government researchers, the prosecutor said.

Under President Roh Moo Hyun, South Korea is modernizing its military to reduce its dependence on U.S. forces, and looking beyond the United States for weapons. Thales is competing with the U.S. military contractors Boeing and Raytheon to supply radar and other military hardware to South Korea.

The Thales official was charged with asking the South Korean arms broker, a former vice director at the Agency for Defense Development, in early January to gather details on radar equipment the navy plans to buy for its next generation of convoy ships, Kim said.

Thales, which is partly state-owned, produces military radar, missile-guidance systems and sonar for warships.

The broker, identified only by his last name, Park, got the data from an agency researcher, identified by his last name, Lee, and passed it to the Thales official, who paid the broker at least 480 million won, or $500,000, Kim said.

Separately, Park once asked for €1 million, or $1.2 million, from Thales when the French company won a contract in the South Korean military's 2004 project to build more copies of its Chunma short-range, ground-to-air missile system. Park did not receive the money, Kim said.

"The data he received was sent all the way to the Thales headquarters," Kim said. "Although the information was not leaked to an enemy state, the fact that it was leaked means that the data cannot be controlled by us and can pose a grave threat to our defense programs."

The act Thales is accused of also threatens fair competition in the bid for the radar project, which has yet to be formally announced, Kim said.

During interrogation, the Thales official denied any criminal intent, "but we have enough strong evidence to support our indictment in court," Kim said.

Thales said it has been fully cooperating with the investigation, and reminded South Korea of its "proactive policy of technology transfers to the benefit of Korea."

"Thales believes that positive outcome to this incident will be reached and that its good faith will be recognized in this case," the company said.

South Korea has been increasing spending on its military since Roh pledged in 2003 to make the country able to defend itself independently within a decade.

He wants to reduce troop levels to 500,000 from the current 680,000 and introduce advanced weapons, including the country's first early warning aircraft.

South Korea's defense budget this year is 23 trillion won, a 12 percent increase from last year. About one-third of it is meant for modernizing weapons. Until now, South Korea has bought - and still buys - most of its military weapons from the United States, which keeps 32,000 troops here.

Thales said this month it had added a provision of up to €80 million to its 2005 earnings report for a dispute with Taiwan over its 1991 purchase of French frigates, which has been clouded by charges of political maneuvering and graft.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/03/21/business/korea.php

KAI T-50 Golden Eagle

Testlerine devam edilen T-50 eğitim uçağı için güzel bir sürpriz... Güney Kore'yi ziyaret eden Brezilya Hava Kuvvetleri komutanı Luis Carlos da Silva, ülkesinin T-50 Golden Eagle'in hava-yer ve hava-hava kabiliyeti eklenmiş versiyonunu (F-50) almak istediğini açıklamış..

Brazil to buy S. Korean trainer jets with weapons capability www.chinaview.cn 2005-05-12 16:17:33 SEOUL, May 12 (Xinhuanet) -- Brazils' air force chief has proposed that South Korea export its supersonic trainer jets to the South American country after adding attack capability to the aircraft, South Korean news agency Yonhap quoted an official as saying Thursday. Gen. Luis Carlos da Silva Bueno flew to Seoul on Saturday for an eight-day trip to discuss cooperation on defense-related industries between the two countries. Bueno told South Korean Air Force officials that Brazil is willing to buy South Korea's T-50 trainer jets, if those are upgraded to F-50s, an aircraft that is equipped with both anti-ground and anti-air weapons systems, a top South Korean Air Force officer said, requesting anonymity. South Korea's state-run Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), the manufacturer of T-50s, is examining the proposal in a "positive" manner, the official said. The T-50, dubbed Golden Eagle, is the world's only supersonic trainer jet under development by the KAI in a technology partnership with Lockheed Martin Co. The KAI will deliver 94 T-50sto its air force by 2011, starting from October this year. The plane is equipped with a range of advanced systems to train pilots in both current and next-generation combat aircraft.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-05/12/content_2950051.htm