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| South Korean KF-21 Boramae Fighter Successfully Tests Fire Meteor Missile and Gatling Gun |
Seoul - The South Korean-developed KF-21 Boramae fighter aircraft successfully conducted a test firing of the Meteor missile and the 20mm Gatling machine gun. Testing of this weapon system is an important part before the KF-21 Boramae fighter enters the mass production phase.
The KF-21 Boramae fighter aircraft conducted a weapons system test over the South Sea on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. This test was carried out by firing a Meteor air-to-air missile, from the base station of the KF-21 Boramae airframe.
Quoted from the Bulgarian Military, during the firing test, it was seen that the Meteor missile could leave the station safely. In the same way, tests of weapons stations on the wings of the aircraft continued. The Meteor missile is a next-generation active radar-guided air-to-air missile system known as Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) technology.
The Meteor missile is produced by MBDA Systems for six European countries. MBDA is a European multinational missile developer and manufacturer. The initials MBDA are taken from the names of partner companies in the missile business, namely Matra, BAe Dynamics and Alenia. MBDA headquarters in Le Plessis-Robinson, France.
The Meteor BVRAAM missile can be integrated on Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab, Gripen, Dassault Rafale and Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets. The Meteor missile is called one of the most effective air-to-air missiles in the world, with a speed of Mach 4 and a range of 60-200 Km. Guided by an advanced active radar seeker, the Meteor missile is capable of operating in all weather conditions to target a variety of targets ranging from fast, nimble jets to small drones and cruise missiles.
The weapon is also equipped with a data link communication, so it can be operated using third party data, allowing the pilot to have the most flexible weapons system.
Another system tested was the aircraft's 20mm Gatling gun. Sustained fire from in-flight machine gun systems has been tested. According to a South Korean DAPA unit statement, the aircraft's missile system and Gatling gun operated smoothly and caused no damage to the aircraft.
Generation 4.5 Fighter Aircraft KF-21 Boramae fighter, which is planned to enter service with the South Korean Air Force as a generation 4.5. To date, 4 prototypes of the KF-21 Boramae aircraft have been produced. South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration [DAPA] plans to fly the 5th and 6th prototypes in the middle of this year. The KF-21 Boramae Combat Aircraft program is called KF-X which is known as the largest defense project ever carried out by the South Korean government worth 8.8 trillion won or USD 7.1 billion.
The 4.5 generation KF-21 Boramae fighter has very low visibility or is difficult to detect by radar compared to the fourth generation fighter. The project will consist of two phases over 13 years from 2015 to 2028. The first phase focuses on aircraft development and the development of air-to-air combat capabilities between 2015 and 2026. Air-to-ground capabilities for conducting air strikes Ground operations will be developed in the second phase, which will take place between 2026 and 2028.