It's embarrassing!South Korea ’s KF-21 first flight FA-50 accidentally crashed, and the shortcomings of aviation technology were exposed

[Military Bills Plane] Author: Lele

On July 19, the numerous KF-21 fighter aircraft spent the South Korean aviation industry flew smoothly, becoming a stealth model that developed into the prototype stage after China, the United States and Russia, and Russia. Of course, compared to the previous five with stealth magazines, it is a model of stealth fighter. The design of the KF-21 semi-buried magazine is very unique and is therefore called "no stealth fighter". What embarrassing the South Korean aviation industry is that the day before KF-21, it was exported to the FA-50 battle/trainer in Indonesia, accidentally crashed during training, and the whereabouts of the pilots were unknown. The coincidence of the two in time can be said to see the Korean aviation industry seemingly good, but in fact, the essence of technical accumulation is seriously exposed.

▲ KF-21 of the first flight, the plug-in missile is really awkward

In the 1990s, the overall economic level of South Korea has developed rapidly, and its military forces have begun to improve in a more advanced and autonomous direction. In addition, the island dispute between Japan and South Korea has also intensified with the awakening of the nation of Japan and South Korea. Among them, the Japanese Self-Defense Force not only equipped advanced equipment such as F-15J and "King Kong" class destroyers due to early start and strong funding. In addition, it has also begun to develop the "mind" stealth technology verification machine, "sun -oriented" helicopter aircraft carrier, etc., which are more offensive and advanced equipment. Therefore, South Korea is unwilling to build naval equipment such as the "Dojima" amphibious attack ship and KDX-Ⅲ "King of Sejong". Of course, South Korea's military industry has not ignored it, the vital stealth fighter.

▲ The famous South Korea "Dojima" amphibious attack ship

In the late 1990s, South Korea officially proposed a plan to develop domestic stealth fighters. The goal of direct targeting was the Japanese "mind" stealth technology verification machine that received much attention at that time. South Korea also deeply realizes that even if it can be supported by the United States in the fields of engines, radars, avionics, etc., it still does not have the ability to develop stealth fighters. Therefore, after market research, South Korea is determined to develop a third -generation fighter. In order to expand the international market share, it is also to reduce the difficulty of technology. This fighter is incorporated into a certain coaching aircraft element, which finally achieved the first flight in May 2011 and the FA-50, which began to serve in October 2014. The interval between the first flight to the service was so short because it used a large number of mature equipment provided by Lockchid Martin in the United States, which also strengthened the confidence of South Korea's stealth fighter.

▲ FA-50 is an attempt in the Korean aviation industry

Because Lockheed Martin provided with considerable support (of course, the compensation is also considerable), the early design and later installation of the FA-50 were successfully exported to Iraq, the Philippines, Indonesia and other countries. For the South Korean aviation industry that had no experience in the development of advanced fighter jets, this kind of advanced parts assembled in other countries and a good experience in entering the international fighter market, there is a possibility of replication. In fact, the FA-50, which is positioned at a low-end fighter/senior trainer, is designed with the semi-buried stealth magazine. It belongs to the lowest-end stealth fighter, which is basically the same in the export market.

▲ KF-21 is also a low-end model

The FA-50 has won the favor of some countries at a relatively low price, which has made the Korean aviation industry accumulated by almost no technology before, and has gained certain development experience and technical accumulation. Based on this, the Korean aviation industry further launched KF-21 with stealth colors, in fact, there is also a very clear target market. That is, many countries can neither obtain US-made F-35, nor are it difficult to buy the Su-75 and J-35 that are developing Russia and China. If you want to suppress those levels that are equally limited, the opponent with three generations as the main force, the KF-21 is indeed a good choice in theory. In fact, the cost -effective ideas of low cost and higher returns, and the problem is here.

▲ The US-made F-35 is not available for any country

Regardless of the FA-50 or KF-21, Lockheed Martin, the United States is the core equipment supplier and technical exporter. Although South Korea is a direct exporter of the two, it actually has just built the assembly production line. For The core performance of the fighter jet is only in the point of knowing it. Indonesia purchased 22 FA-50 in two batches, of which the second batch was just placed in July 2021. In fact, FA-50, which has not been delivered, and accidental losses, except the recent number "TT-5009 TT-5009 "In addition, one was also lost accidentally in the 2015 flight performance, and the two pilots died on the spot. This degree of crash rate is that there are originally trainer applications, and there is a redundant design for security design. Even the core equipment is directly provided by the United States, which should not be completely.

▲ The FA-50 machine group on the ground

For KF-21, the problem is more serious than the FA-50. In addition to the technical problems in itself, how to ensure the high cost-effective advantage in the future is the most troublesome issue. The biggest selling point of the KF-21 is that it can suppress the third-generation/third-generation semi-fighter that can suppress the ordinary without any stealth performance. Although the comprehensive performance cannot be compared with the real stealth fighter such as F-35, the price is much lower than the F-35 Essence The problem is that the core devices of KF-21 are provided by the United States. Of course, the purpose is not to improve the technical level of the Korean aviation industry, but to need a generous economic return. These high-priced US-made parts mean the basic manufacturing cost of KF-21, and in order to meet the stealth design outside the semi-stealth magazine, it also needs to pay a considerable price. Whether KF-21, which is finally exported, is higher performance, low price, or limited performance, and high price. This is the most needed problem in South Korea. ▲ The most critical problem with KF-21 is the balance between performance and price

Theoretically, the KF-21 is a very courageous solution. It has evolved from low-cost and semi-stealth to a real stealth fighter plan. Although it is unprecedented, it is indeed the only way in South Korea ’s aviation industry. However, the number of KF-21 that the South Korean Air Force can be equipped is inevitable, and the pioneering and export market is the top priority of the KF-21 event. Essence Based on the current FA-50's performance in the Indonesian Air Force, there is also the dark prospect of crashed the day before KF-21, which is the KF-21 future future with all the essence of the Korean aviation industry. It's not bright.

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