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| The KF-21 Boramae fighter jet becomes the 'twin' of the F-22 Raptor / Asian Military Review |
Seoul - The new generation fighter aircraft from South Korea, the KF-21 Boramae, has already carried out many tests. Be it ground testing which has reached about 50% completion of the overall test program. As well as about 95% of the ground testing requirements needed for its inaugural test flight.
Quoted from the Asian Military Review, the official Ministry of National Defense (MND) newspaper Kookbang Ilbo reported this on June 13. According to him, the first KF-21 prototype is expected to start its maiden flight in July. However, this is possible if the remaining ground test parameters and taxi testing are completed successfully.
As is known, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), the main contractor for the KF-21 is currently conducting ground testing with six prototypes. In addition, each platform performs various critical and functional tests. This is done prior to actual flight testing. The company also expects to undertake about 2,000 development flights with the prototype aircraft.
Quoted from sohu.com, recently, the prototype fighter KF-21 No. 3 made in Korea debuted. The plane looked ready to fly, with a slim pitot tube added above the nose of the prototype.
The design of the KF-21 Boramae is quite interesting. The jet, which was developed by South Korea with Indonesia, adopts a large number of stealth designs. Its small body means it does not have a designed internal magazine.
Not only that, the weapons and equipment carried were installed in the half-buried stomach and under the wings. It also lacks stealth combat capabilities. Even so, the shape of the KF-21 aircraft will be very similar to the US F-22 Raptor. It adopts double vertical tail and double discharge bureau.
Then, the air inlet is located under the extension surface of the front edge of the wing and adopts S-shaped Structure. The main wing and horizontal tail are trapezoidal in shape with small aspect ratio The airfoil and nose adopt diamond-shaped design with better stealth ability.
The biggest difference between this aircraft and 5th generation aircraft is the magazineless design, there are 6 external under-wing hardpoints, 4 belly-buried external hardpoints and 2 fuselage side sensor external hardpoints. After installing the weapons and equipment, the radar reflecting surface of the fuselage is greatly improved.
The KF-21 fighter is equipped with two turbofan engines from the United States General Electric Company, with a maximum design speed of Mach 1.8. Although it lacks high speed and supersonic cruising capability, it is sufficient to support its diverse missions.
Not only that, the KF-21 Boramae will also be equipped with an AESA radar made in South Korea. The number of new things about this jet then made it successful in getting the world's attention. Moreover, he will have his first flight in July 2022.