×
Aircraft / Aviation Vehicles & Artillery Small Arms Warships & Submarines Military Ranks Military Pay Scale (2024) Special Forces

KAI KF-16 Fighting Falcon


4th Generation Multirole Fighter Aircraft


South Korea | 1991



"The KAI KF-16 Fighting Falcon is a locally-produced South Korean version of the American Lockheed F-16 multirole series."

Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one aircraft design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the KAI KF-16 Fighting Falcon 4th Generation Multirole Fighter Aircraft.
1 x Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 afterburning turbofan engine.
Propulsion
870 mph
1,400 kph | 756 kts
Max Speed
50,033 ft
15,250 m | 9 miles
Service Ceiling
2,610 miles
4,200 km | 2,268 nm
Operational Range
50,000 ft/min
15,240 m/min
Rate-of-Climb
Structure
The nose-to-tail, wingtip-to-wingtip physical qualities of the KAI KF-16 Fighting Falcon 4th Generation Multirole Fighter Aircraft.
1
(MANNED)
Crew
49.2 ft
15.00 m
O/A Length
32.5 ft
(9.90 m)
O/A Width
15.7 ft
(4.80 m)
O/A Height
18,739 lb
(8,500 kg)
Empty Weight
41,888 lb
(19,000 kg)
MTOW
Armament
Available supported armament and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the KAI KF-16 Fighting Falcon 4th Generation Multirole Fighter Aircraft .
STANDARD:
1 x 20mm M61 Vulcan six-barreled internal cannon.
2 x AIM-9 Sidewinder short-ranged air-to-air missiles (or equivalent) on wingtip hardpoints.

OPTIONAL:
Guided/homing air-to-air/air-to-surface missiles, rocket pods, cruise missiles, precision bombs, conventional drop bombs, specialized mission equipment and jettisonable fuel tanks.
Variants
Notable series variants as part of the KAI KF-16 Fighting Falcon family line.
KF-16 - Base Series Designation
Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 04/01/2020 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

South Korea's close political ties with the United States allows for access to American military products such as the Lockheed (General Dynamics) F-16 Fighting Falcon. Beginning in 1991, Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) began local, license production of the type under the "KF-16" designation. These aircraft were based on the F-16C/D Block 52 line to which 140 examples were completed. The first of a dozen airframes were handed over to the South Korean Air Force (ROKAF) in December of 1994 and these aircraft maintain an active presence in its inventory today (2013).

The arrival of the KF-16 began with the Korea Fighter Program (KFP) intended to provide the ROKAF with a modern multirole performer. Through competition, the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet was initially declared the winner until allegations of corruption during the selection process nixed the deal. The decision was then made to pursue the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon in its place as a dimensionally smaller and lighter single engine alternative.

While looking every bit the copy of her American sisters, the KF-16 in fact introduces thousands of new internal components to fulfill ROKAF requirements. KF-16s are outfitted with the Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 IPE (Improved Performance Engine) series turbofan engine, an APG-68(V)7 radar suite, an ALQ-200K radar jamming system by LIG Nex1 and LANTIRN (Low-Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night). The type was cleared for the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) to give it a medium-ranged reach apart from its wingtip-mounted short-ranged AIM-9 Sidewinders. The aircraft was also given provision for maritime sorties and could be outfitted with anti-ship missiles as required. In January of 2011, the series cleared Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) testing to further broaden the airframe's tactical value in combat. JDAM allows for the conversion of conventional drop bombs (known as "dumb" bombs) to precision-guided munitions value utilizing Global Positioning System (GPS) in its freefall. The KF-16 maintains the same external appearance of original F-16s with their beak-like nose cones, all-around vision bubble canopy, squat rounded fuselage, swept leading wing edges and single vertical tail fins. The aircraft showcases the iconic under-fuselage air intake which aspirates the single powerplant. The selection of a single engine decreases maintenance commitments and operational costs to an extent. Beyond its wingtip mounts, the aircraft features seven hardpoints consisting of six underwing (three to a wing) and three under the fuselage. The centerline and inboard underwing hardpoints are plumbed for fuel stores if required. A standard 20mm M61 Vulcan six-barreled Gatling gun is fitted to the portside of the airframe as in the F-16.

Beginning in 2011, the KF-16 was granted a mid-life upgrade which, when completed, will bring the series to an updated standard worthy of the modern battlefield. Primary changes will include integration of an AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar suite. The weapons and avionics software will see a revision as well which will broaden armament options and improve intra-unit communications.

Beyond the KF-16, Korean Aerospace Industries manufactures (or has manufactured) the KT-1 basic trainer, the T-50 advanced trainer, the F-15K Eagle and P-3CK maritime patrol platform.



Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

January 2014 - A deal between BAe Systems and South Korea was announced to upgrade some 134 KF-16 fighters. This will include installation new Raytheon Active, Electronically-Scanned Array (AESA) radar systems, all new cockpit display panels and new mission computers. The program is expected to begin sometime in 2014 and take place near Fort Worth, Texas.

November 2014 - The South Korean government cancelled its initiative to upgrade its fleet of 134 KF-16s with the Raytheon package. A new proposal is underway to fit a Northrop Grumman APG-83 AESA system through Lockheed Martin.

November 2016 - South Korea has green-lighted an upgrade program covering 134 KF-16 aircraft to the F-16V "Viper" standard. Lockheed is set to handle the conversions.

March 2020 - The United States has approved the sale of IFF (Identification Friend-or-Foe) equipment for the South Korean Air Force.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the KAI KF-16 Fighting Falcon. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national aircraft listing.

Total Production: 140 Units

Contractor(s): Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) - South Korea
National flag of South Korea

[ South Korea ]
1 / 7
Image of the KAI KF-16 Fighting Falcon
Image from the United States Department of Defense DIVDS imagery database.
2 / 7
Image of the KAI KF-16 Fighting Falcon
Image from the United States Department of Defense DIVDS imagery database.
3 / 7
Image of the KAI KF-16 Fighting Falcon
Image from the United States Department of Defense DIVDS imagery database.
4 / 7
Image of the KAI KF-16 Fighting Falcon
Image from the United States Department of Defense DIVDS imagery database.
5 / 7
Image of the KAI KF-16 Fighting Falcon
Image from the United States Department of Defense DIVDS imagery database.
6 / 7
Image of the KAI KF-16 Fighting Falcon
Image from the United States Department of Defense DIVDS imagery database.
7 / 7
Image of the KAI KF-16 Fighting Falcon
Image from the United States Department of Defense image database.

Going Further...
The KAI KF-16 Fighting Falcon 4th Generation Multirole Fighter Aircraft appears in the following collections:
HOME
AVIATION INDEX
AIRCRAFT BY COUNTRY
AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURERS
COMPARE AIRCRAFT
AIRCRAFT BY CONFLICT
AIRCRAFT BY TYPE
AIRCRAFT BY DECADE
4TH GENERATION AIRCRAFT
MODERN AIRCRAFT
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Scale Military Ranks of the World U.S. Department of Defense Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols Breakdown U.S. 5-Star Generals List WWII Weapons by Country

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing military medals and ribbons. Special Interest: RailRoad Junction, the locomotive encyclopedia.


©2024 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2024 (21yrs)