The rollout of T-50 (advanced jet trainer and light combat aircraft) means an achievement of the long desire of Korea to boost the high tech aerospace industries in Korea and to strengthen the basis of self-national defense through the development of an indigenous supersonic aircraft. The T-50 aircraft will be a corner stone for Korea's air defense power and allow Korea Air Force an ability to change or improve the configuration of an aircraft, which will lead to the development of indigenous fighter in the near future," said Chung Hae-Ju, president of KAI, in an interview with Korea IT Times. The first production of T-50 Golden Eagle aircraft, an advanced, supersonic trainer developed by KAI (Korea Aerospace Industries) has been rolled out in a ceremony in Korea on August 30. Korea's president Roh Mu-Hyun has delivered a congratulatory message at the ceremony that was held at the KAI facility in Sachon city, Gyeongnam Province. KAI is the first company ushering in the national aerospace company established in 1999. KAI's business lines include fixed-wing aircraft, helicopter aircraft, and satellites. Major products are KF-16, KT-1 basic trainer, T-50, SB427 helicopter, UAV (Nightly Intruder 300), aero structures, and KOMPSAT satellite program. Opening of Era of Exporting Korean-Made Aircraft The aircraft export market has such a high entry barrier that it is very difficult for a newly developing country to launch into the export market. However, KAI has tried to enter the niche market where advance countries are not paying much attention, finally succeeding in exporting 12 basic trainers (KT-1) to the Indonesia. KT-I has jointly been developed by KAI and the ADD (Agency for Defense Development) The KT-1 is a two-stepped tandem seating trainer with a maximum speed of 648 km/hour. The first exporting contract of KT-1 has been made with Indonesia in the year of 2001 and 7 units were delivered to the Indonesian Air Force until 2003. Now Korea has acquired an international recognition for aerospace technology and enhanced the prestige of Korea. One official of MOCIE (Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy) said, "There are about 10 countries in the world that have developed their own exporting aircraft model including the United States of America and the Russia. It is considered as the monopoly of advanced nations. But KAI has opened up the era of exporting aircraft and entered into the ranks of aerospace developed countries as shown in the additional exports of KT-1 to Indonesia." According to the aerospace industry sources, Korea aerospace industry has obtained excellent results without parallel in the history of the world aerospace industry. KAI has succeeded in obtaining the development ability of KT-I basic trainer and T-50 supersonic jet trainer in such a short period since its start of aircraft development in 1990. Driving Management Innovation KAI is continuing to step up its management innovation including the transfer of head office to Sachon. It has declared this year as the "First Year of Management Innovation," while enforcing the transfer of its headquarters, putting emphasis on spot management by CEO, disposing by sale of Changwon plant, and staging 6 Sigma campaign. Through all these innovation efforts, it plans to enter the advanced level of global leaders in the aircraft industry within three years, obtaining global competitiveness. Meanwhile, the company is now busy preparing the 5th Air Show, which is scheduled to be opened from August 18 to 23 at Seoul Airport. About 20 countries and more than 200 related companies are expected to attend the event along with visitors of 200,000.