Korean Aerospace Ind (KAI) has delivered the first two FA-50PH light attack fighter jets to Philippines. The delivery is part of the $...
Korean Aerospace Ind (KAI) has delivered the first two FA-50PH light attack fighter jets to Philippines.
The delivery is part of the $ 420 million inter-governmental deal for 12 FA-20PH fighters concluded between South Korea and Philippines in March 2014.
The two aircraft successfully completed a 2482 km ferry flight from Sacheon, South Korea to Clark Air Force base in Philippines on Dec 28. KAI said the remaining 10 FA-20 will be delivered by 2017.
The FA-20PH is a variant of FA-20 light attack fighter developed for South Korean Air Force, customized for Philippines. It is developed from the T-50 supersonic jet trainer developed by KAI with assistance from Lockheed Martin.
Optimized for ground attack roles, the FA-20PH will aide Philippines in the counter insurgency role. The twin seat multi-role combat aircraft is equipped with multi-mode radar, on-board oxygen generating system, fly-by-wire flight control system and zero-zero ejection seat.
With a maximum take of weight of 12.3 ton, the FA-50 can carry a useful load of 5.8 ton including fuel and weapons.
The FA-20 is equipped with a 20 mm internal cannon and has seven hard points which can carry, fuel tanks, Mk 82 bombs, AIM-9 sidewinder air to air missile, JDAM and AGM-65 Maverick air to ground missile.
Powered by a single GE F404 after-burning turbofan engine, it can achieve a maximum speed of 1.5 Mach and can sustain up to -3 to +8g limits.
