On the 22nd of next month, the 'KF-21 Boramae' will have its first flight... Air Force Major An Jun-hyun onboard

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Our military's first domestically produced fighter jet, the ‘KF-21 Boramae,’ will make its first flight on the 22nd of next month. The pilot responsible for the first flight is Air Force Major Ahn Jun-hyun (Air Force Academy Class 54) from the 52nd Test and Evaluation Squadron.

On the 28th, a government official stated, “The KF-21 Boramae has entered initial flight preparations (FFRR) this week, including ground tests and taxi tests. The first flight is scheduled for the 22nd to 23rd of next month, depending on weather conditions.”

To prepare for the KF-21 Boramae’s first flight, the Air Force selected four initial flight test personnel earlier this month: two from the Air Force and two from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). Historically, Air Force pilots have conducted the first flights of Air Force aircraft. On August 20, 2002, Lieutenant Colonel Cho Gwang-je of the Air Force flew the first prototype of the T-50. The first domestically produced helicopter, the Surion, had its initial flight conducted by Lieutenant Colonel Yoon Byung-gi (Korea Military Academy Class 49) and Warrant Officer Lee Young-bok (Rotary Wing Pilot Class 17) in 2010. However, the first flight of the Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) in 2020 was conducted by Major Oh Se-young along with KAI flight test team leader Jo Jeong-hyeok.

The flight tests are planned to continue for about four years, targeting approximately 2,200 flights. The tests will progressively increase altitude, flight distance, and takeoff weight. Even during flight testing, ground tests will continue to detect and correct minor errors in the equipment installed on the KF-21 to maximize performance.

The Air Force plans to complete the KF-21 development around 2026 and introduce a total of 120 units by 2032, prioritizing the replacement of aging fighters such as the F-4 and F-5. Weapon systems, including long-range air-to-ground missiles to be equipped on the KF-21, are also under development.