[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] KF-21 Challenges Supersonic Flight

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The domestically produced supersonic fighter jet KF-21 Boramae will challenge supersonic flight early next year.

On the 10th, a government official said, “The KF-21 has completed six test flights, and after completing 40 test flights this year, it is scheduled to perform supersonic flight next year.”

The FA-50 shares the same airframe as the T-50 supersonic advanced trainer, developed based on technology from the U.S. Lockheed Martin. Equipped with the powerful F404 engine used in fighter jets, it can reach speeds of Mach 1.5, earning it the nickname “mini F-16” due to its high cost-effectiveness. Industry and Air Force officials expect the supersonic flight to proceed smoothly next year as the current test flight schedule is progressing without issues.

The KF-21 successfully completed its first test flight in July. During the test flight, Major Ahn Jun-hyun, a test pilot from the Air Force’s 52nd Test and Evaluation Squadron, repeatedly increased and decreased the engine thrust, maneuvered the aircraft left and right, and checked whether the aircraft moved in the desired direction, verifying that various equipment operated suitably for flight. The first flight was conducted at a subsonic speed of about 400 km/h (200 knots), which is the speed of a light aircraft, without reaching supersonic speeds. The second test flight was conducted with the landing gear, which functions as wheels and brakes during takeoff and landing, retracted.

The KF-21 is scheduled to undergo approximately 2,200 test flights by 2026 to evaluate its performance. Once various capabilities and air-to-air weapon compatibility are confirmed, system development will be completed in 2026. Additional weapons testing (Block-II) will take place from 2026, and 120 KF-21 units will be produced between 2026 and 2032.

The KF-21 project is a joint research and development effort with Indonesia, investing 8.8 trillion won from 2015 to 2028 to replace long-term operational Air Force fighters (F-4, F-5) and utilize the new fighter as a core power.