The KF-X Program
The KF-X Program
  • Ryan Schuster
  • 승인 2010.02.21 18:49
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Scale model of the fighter plane

The Korean government began investing in technology research soon after the republic was established. This is why, Korea believes in exceptional technology and the outstanding quality products are the key factors for being a technology leader. Korea has been consistently expending in major industries to meet a variety of human needs in all areas such as semiconductors, cell phones, automobiles and now with its ambitious space program, and the KF-X program.

The KF-X program is part of the national technology roadmap that is on the minds of the Defense Ministry, the Ministry of Knowledge Economy and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) for the need of expending military strategy and economic growth. The parties have finalized plans to start exploratory development of home-grown fighter jets and light attack helicopters starting next year.

KF-X aims to equip the South Korean Air Force with 120 advanced high-end fighters by 2020 to replace its aging fighter fleet. Both the AH-X and KAH programs are aimed at replacing the Korean Army's outdated 500MD TOWs and AH-1Ss. About half of the 500MD TOWs will reach their lifespan of 30 years by 2013, while the AH-1S helicopters have been in operation for more than 16 years.

Among potential foreign bidders for the KF-X program are Boeing and Eurofighter. Boeing is offering to transfer F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft technology to contribute to the manufacturing of KF-X, while Eurofighter wants Korea to join its Eurofighter Typhoon project. The KF-X had originally aimed to produce and market about 120 aircraft stealthier than Dassault's Rafale and the Eurofighter Typhoon, but not as covert as Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightening II.

The government will continue to pursue plans to introduce larger, high-end jets and helicopters from foreign manufacturers as the government believes it would be too costly and unnecessary to try and produce the entire spectrum indigenously. DAPA spokesman Kim Young-san said, "Preliminary development for the KF-X will be conducted between 2011 and 2012 with an investment of KRW 4.4 billion, and full-scale work will continue until 2021 at a cost of KRW 5 trillion. Korea will take 60 percent of KF-X development costs and will rely on foreign firms to cover the remainder."

Korea's strategic plan is to expend and advanced military infrastructure, which will be amongst the top countries in the world. However, the budget will be the big factor for pushing through with the procuration plans. Fortunately for South Korea, its high level of well-educated workers, who constitute a formidable brain trust for future research and development, are its major asset.

Thus, by continually to build on the national technology roadmap and creating an innovative information-knowledge-intelligence society that meets the variety of human needs in all areas of life. This will ensure the KF-X program will be a domestic, but also a global success by supplying efficient, stable and intelligent fighter planes and helicopters.


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