×
Aircraft / Aviation Vehicles & Artillery Small Arms Warships & Submarines Military Ranks Military Pay Chart (2024) Special Forces
HOME
AVIATION INDEX
MODERN AIR FORCES
AIRCRAFT BY COUNTRY
AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURERS
COMPARE AIRCRAFT
AIRCRAFT BY CONFLICT
AIRCRAFT BY TYPE
AIRCRAFT BY DECADE
MODERN AIRCRAFT
Aviation / Aerospace

KAI T-50 / FA-50 Golden Eagle


Advanced Jet Trainer / Light Attack Aircraft [ 2005 ]



The KAI T-50 Golden Eagle of South Korea is an advanced supersonic jet trainer that can double as a light attack strike fighter if needed.



Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 06/14/2023 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

VIEW SPECIFICATIONS [+]
The T-50 / A-50 "Golden Eagle" is an advanced supersonic trainer and light strike-capable aircraft platform produced jointly by the South Korean firm of Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) and the American firm of Lockheed Martin. The resulting design is a highly modified derivative of the Lockheed Martin (formerly General Dynamics) F-16 "Fighting Falcon", of which KAI license-builds as the "KF-16" (the wing shape and single rudder design are apparent). The Golden Eagle twin-seat trainer has been procured in limited numbers with the South Korean Air Force.

The T-50 family was developed to replace a slew of active, though aging, platforms for the South Korean Air Force. More importantly, the involvement by Lockheed Martin ensured that the American company would assist in developing a next-generation advanced trainer capable of instructing a new crop of fighter pilots - particularly those that may end up in the cockpits of the Lockheed F-22 Raptor, Lockheed F-35 Lightning II, French Dassault Rafale and the European consortium Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft. Much like the F-16 Fighting Falcon before it, the T-50 features a large glass canopy (the pilots seated in tandem), a single large-area vertical tail fin and a single turbofan powerplant in the General Electric F404 series. The system's developmental funding was split between the two participating firms with the government of South Korea taking on all remaining costs. The prototype recorded its first flight on August 20th, 2002. Prior to, the entire F-50 program suffered through financial setbacks before coming back on track. The T-50 was formally introduced into service on February 22nd, 2002. It has since been adopted by the Indonesian Air Force as well beginning in 2013 (16 aircraft - 12 T-50s and 4 x TA-50s). Production of T-50 aircraft began in 2001 and is ongoing as of this writing (2013). South Korea manages a stable of 102 aircraft made up of 50 x T-50s, 10 x T-50Bs, 22 x TA-50s and 20 x FA-50 (the latter on order as of 2013).

Initial evaluations during development saw the aircraft exceed Mach 1.0 though the design was initially estimated to achieve speeds of up to Mach 1.5. The engine provides full afterburning capabilities which supply short bursts of speed to the aircraft - maximum speed being 1,100 miles per hour at 10,000 feet. Operational range is 1,150 miles with a service ceiling of 48,000 feet. Triple-redundant, digital fly-by-wire technology is utilized for precision handling with dual controls available through both cockpits (as the T-50 can be utilized as an attack airframe or advanced trainer). The primary pilot/student resides in the front cockpit with the co-pilot/instructor in the rear. Avionics includes AN/APG-67 pulse Doppler radar (in the T-50) and EL/M-2032 advanced pulse Doppler Fire Control Radar (for the TA-50 and FA-50 marks).

The "Golden Eagle" is marketed as an advanced trainer under the designation of T-50, as a "fighter lead-in" platform under the TA-50 designation and as a light strike-capable variant under the FA-50 designation. These aircraft differ from one another mostly in the types of internal systems installed to achieve the desired mission role. The trainer does not mount the internal cannon nor advanced radar while the FA-50 is designed for day-and-night operations. The TA-50 is an in-between design combining the applications of both aircraft. All variants feature seating for two. The T-50B is a highly-specialized, high performance aerobatic demonstrator developed exclusively for the eight-aircraft-strong South Korean "Black Eagles" 53rd Air Demonstration Group.

In the armed strike role, the Golden Eagle can be outfitted with various conventional munitions to suit mission requirements. A standard internal 20mm General Dynamics A-50 gatling gun (a three-barreled version of the M61 Vulcan) is provided for close-in work as are rail-launchers along each wingtip for the AIM-9 Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missile. Additionally, the aircraft can field a variety of underwing ordnance as well as external fuel tanks. Ordnance options include air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles (including the AGM-65 Maverick), unguided rocket pods, general purpose drop bombs, cluster bombs and precision-guided drop bombs.

South Korea failed to interest both Singapore and Israel in their T-50 mount. Possible sales are noted to the Botswana, Chile and the Philippines. ©MilitaryFactory.com
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.

May 2013 - It was announced that South Korea will procure an additional 40 TA-50 strike aircraft. The added production will allow an extended lease on life for the T-50 series as a whole, ensuring production lines remain open until 2016. The T-50 is in play for the USAF T-X program, the branch's search to find its new advanced trainer.

January 2014 - The Iraqi Air Force has elected to procure the KAI T-50 as light attack fighters in a 24-strong order. Deliveries are expected to begin in April of 2016 and end by 2017. The Iraqi model in question will follow the FA-50 design and its multi-role qualities while flying under the local "T-50IQ" designation for the IAF.

November 2015 - First deliveries to the Philippines were in November of 2015, these brought to the 7th Tactical Fighter Squadron.

February 2016 - Lockheed Martin will propose a modernized T-50A for the United States Air Force's K-X advanced trainer competition. Two T-50A aircraft will be submitted for consideration.

Thailand has ordered four T-50TH advanced trainers for delivery in 2018.

December 2015 - The T-X prototype for the USAF competition was unveiled on December 17th, 2015. An aerial refueling capability has been added (which has resulted in a dorsal "hump") as has a large-area display in the cockpit (replacing the original five-screen arrangement). Initial testing is set to begin in 2016 with flight testing to start sometime in 2017.

July 2017 - The government of Thailand has announced a follow-up order for eight additional KAI T-50 aircraft.

April 2018 - Thailand has received its first of four T-50TH model advanced jet trainers for its Royal Thai Air Force.

July 2019 - The KAI FA-50 and Leonardo M-346FA are in the running to succeed the Argentine Air Force's aging fleet of A-4AR "Fightinghawk" fighters. Eight to ten aircraft are sought in the deal.

September 2019 - The Argentine government has currently (indefinitely) shelved the prospect of a T-50 purchase.

November 2019 - KAI is scheduled to deliver up to eight T-50 Advanced Jet Trainer aircraft to Thailand in 2020.

June 2020 - South Korea has committed to an order for twenty additional TA-50 fighter-trainers.

August 2020 - South Korea is proposing its T-50 Advanced Jet Trainer for a standing Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) requirement. Up to four defense players are in the running as the service intends to replace an aging fleet of BAe Hawk aircraft (Hawk Mk.127) in same role.

October 2020 - Britain's ongoing arms embargo against Argentina has ended any hope for the FA-50 coming to the Argentine Air Force.

February 2021 - South Korean FA-50 light attackers will soon be cleared to carry the Lockheed Martin "Sniper" Advanced Targeting Pod.

July 2021 - Indonesia has committed to the purchase of an additional six T-50i Advanced Jet Trainers from KAI.

August 2021 - KAI has received a second T-50 order from the nation of Thailand. This add-on will cover a pair of T-50TH fighter-trainers with deliveries to be had before the end of 2023.

November 2021 - KAI has netted a $360 million USD maintenance package with the nation of Iraq to support its T-50IQ fleet.

November 2021 - KAI will be championing its FA-50 to potential export partner Slovakia who seeks a new, all-modern Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT).

July 2022 - Poland has committed to the purchase of 48 FA-50 light strike aircraft from KAI.

September 2022 - Poland has officially signed its deal for 48 FA-50PL variant aircraft from KAI as it continues its Western-centric modernization of its air force.

February 2023 - The FA-50 was announced as the winner of Malaysia's standing Advanced Jet Trainer / Light Combat Aircraft requirement.

Specifications



Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) - South Korea / Lockheed Martin - USA
Manufacturer(s)
Indonesia; Iraq; Malaysia (announced); Philippines; Poland; South Korea; Thailand
Operators National flag of Indonesia National flag of Iraq National flag of Malaysia National flag of the Philippines National flag of Poland National flag of South Korea National flag of Thailand
2005
Service Year
South Korea
National Origin
Active
Project Status
2
Crew
218
Units


CLOSE-AIR SUPPORT
Developed to operate in close proximity to active ground elements by way of a broad array of air-to-ground ordnance and munitions options.
TRAINING
Developed ability to be used as a dedicated trainer for student pilots (typically under the supervision of an instructor).


RADAR-CAPABLE
Houses, or can house (through specialized variants), radar equipment for searching, tracking, and engagement of enemy elements.
COUNTERMEASURES
Survivability enhanced by way of onboard electronic or physical countermeasures enacted by the aircraft or pilot/crew.
WING SWEEPBACK
Mainplanes, or leading edges, features swept-back lines for enhanced high-speed performance and handling.
RUGGED AIRFRAME
Inherent ability of airframe to take considerable damage.
HIGH-SPEED PERFORMANCE
Can accelerate to higher speeds than average aircraft of its time.
HIGH-ALTITUDE PERFORMANCE
Can reach and operate at higher altitudes than average aircraft of its time.
EXTENDED RANGE PERFORMANCE
Capability to travel considerable distances through onboard fuel stores.
SUPER PERFORMANCE
Design covers the three all-important performance categories of speed, altitude, and range.
MARITIME OPERATION
Ability to operate over ocean in addition to surviving the special rigors of the maritime environment.
PILOT / CREW EJECTION SYSTEM
Assisted process of allowing its pilot and / or crew to eject in the event of an airborne emergency.
CREWSPACE PRESSURIZATION
Supports pressurization required at higher operating altitudes for crew survival.
CREW-MANAGED
Beyond a pilot, the aircraft takes advantage of additional crew specialized in specific functions aboard the aircraft.
ENCLOSED CREWSPACE(S)
Features partially- or wholly-enclosed crew workspaces.
RETRACTABLE UNDERCARRIAGE
Features retracting / retractable undercarriage to preserve aerodynamic efficiency.


42.6 ft
(12.98 meters)
Length
30.1 ft
(9.17 meters)
Width/Span
15.7 ft
(4.78 meters)
Height
14,200 lb
(6,441 kilograms)
Empty Weight
26,422 lb
(11,985 kilograms)
Maximum Take-Off Weight
+12,222 lb
(+5,544 kg)
Weight Difference
monoplane / mid-mounted / swept-back
Mainplane Arrangement
Monoplane
Design utilizes a single primary wing mainplane; this represents the most popular modern mainplane arrangement.
Mid-Mounted
Mainplanes are mounted along the midway point of the sides of the fuselage.
Swept-Back
The planform features wing sweep back along the leading edges of the mainplane, promoting higher operating speeds.


1 x General Electric F404-102 afterburning turbofan engine developing 17,700 lb of thrust with reheat.
Propulsion
990 mph
(1,593 kph | 860 knots)
Max Speed
47,999 ft
(14,630 m | 9 miles)
Ceiling
1,150 miles
(1,851 km | 999 nm)
Range


MACH Regime (Sonic)
Sub
Trans
Super
Hyper
HiHyper
ReEntry
RANGES (MPH) Subsonic: <614mph | Transonic: 614-921 | Supersonic: 921-3836 | Hypersonic: 3836-7673 | Hi-Hypersonic: 7673-19180 | Reentry: >19030


STANDARD:
1 x 20mm General Dynamics A-50 "Vulcan" Gatling-style three-barrel automatic internal cannon.
2 x AIM-9 "Sidewinder" air-to-air missiles (wingtip mounts).

OPTIONAL:
6 x AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface missiles.
CBU-58 Cluster Bombs.
Mk-20 Cluster Bombs.
LAU-3 Rocket Pods.
LAU-68 Rocket Pods.
Mk 82 General Purpose Bombs.
Mk 83 General Purpose Bombs.
Mk 84 General Purpose Bombs.
Guided Drop Bombs.


7 (including wingtips)
Hardpoints


X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Hardpoints Key:

Centerline
Wingroot(L)
Wingroot(R)
Wing
Wingtip
Internal
Not Used


T-50 - Advanced Jet Trainer Designation; sans internal gun and radar system.
T-50B - Designation reserved for the acrobatic mount of the Black Eagles team.
TA-50 - "Fighter Lead-In" Attack Designation; internal 20mm cannon; air-to-air missile capability; external drop bomb capability; APG-67 radar.
FA-50 - Light Attack Multi-Role Model; Day/Night Mission Capability; RWR, CMDS, FLIR an Tactical Data Link.
T-50A MDS - Reserved U.S. Military Designation for advanced trainer competition; not selected.
A-50 - Original designation of the FA-50.
T-50TH - Royal Thai Air Force export model.
FA-50GF - Polish Air Force export model.


General Assessment
Firepower  
Performance  
Survivability  
Versatility  
Impact  
Values are derrived from a variety of categories related to the design, overall function, and historical influence of this aircraft in aviation history.
Overall Rating
The overall rating takes into account over 60 individual factors related to this aircraft entry.
80
Rating is out of a possible 100 points.
Relative Maximum Speed
Hi: 1000mph
Lo: 500mph
This entry's maximum listed speed (990mph).

Graph average of 750 miles-per-hour.
City-to-City Ranges
NYC
 
  LON
LON
 
  PAR
PAR
 
  BER
BER
 
  MOS
MOS
 
  TOK
TOK
 
  SYD
SYD
 
  LAX
LAX
 
  NYC
Operational range when compared to distances between major cities (in KM).
Max Altitude Visualization
Small airplane graphic
Design Balance
The three qualities reflected above are altitude, speed, and range.
Aviation Era Span
Pie graph section
Showcasing era cross-over of this aircraft design.
Unit Production (218)
218
36183
44000
Compared against Ilyushin IL-2 (military) and Cessna 172 (civilian).
>>>>

Military lapel ribbon for Operation Allied Force
Military lapel ribbon for the Arab-Israeli War
Military lapel ribbon for the Battle of Britain
Military lapel ribbon for the Battle of Midway
Military lapel ribbon for the Berlin Airlift
Military lapel ribbon for the Chaco War
Military lapel ribbon for the Cold War
Military lapel ribbon for the Cuban Missile Crisis
Military lapel ribbon for pioneering aircraft
Military lapel ribbon for the Falklands War
Military lapel ribbon for the French-Indochina War
Military lapel ribbon for the Golden Age of Flight
Military lapel ribbon for the 1991 Gulf War
Military lapel ribbon for the Indo-Pak Wars
Military lapel ribbon for the Iran-Iraq War
Military lapel ribbon for the Korean War
Military lapel ribbon for the 1982 Lebanon War
Military lapel ribbon for the Malayan Emergency
Military lapel ribbon representing modern aircraft
Military lapel ribbon for the attack on Pearl Harbor
Military lapel ribbon for the Six Day War
Military lapel ribbon for the Soviet-Afghan War
Military lapel ribbon for the Spanish Civil War
Military lapel ribbon for Special Forces
Military lapel ribbon for the Suez Crisis
Military lapel ribbon for the Ukranian-Russian War
Military lapel ribbon for the Vietnam War
Military lapel ribbon for Warsaw Pact of the Cold War-era
Military lapel ribbon for the WASP (WW2)
Military lapel ribbon for the World War 1
Military lapel ribbon for the World War 2
Military lapel ribbon for the Yom Kippur War
Military lapel ribbon for experimental x-plane aircraft

Images



1 / 5
Image of the KAI T-50 / FA-50 Golden Eagle
Image released to the public by way of the US DoD DVIDS image database.
2 / 5
Image of the KAI T-50 / FA-50 Golden Eagle
Image released to the public by way of the US DoD DVIDS image database.
3 / 5
Image of the KAI T-50 / FA-50 Golden Eagle
Image released to the public by way of the US DoD DVIDS image database.
4 / 5
Image of the KAI T-50 / FA-50 Golden Eagle
Image released to the public by way of the US DoD DVIDS image database.
5 / 5
Image of the KAI T-50 / FA-50 Golden Eagle
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Chart Military Ranks DoD Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols

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; site is 100% curated by humans.

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.


©2023 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2023 (20yrs)