| Kai T-50 Golden Eagle |
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For the Soviet light tank of WWII, see T-50 Tank The Korea Aerospace Industries T-50 Golden Eagle is a Korean supersonic trainer and light attack aircraft. DEVELOPMENT The T-50 is being developed to replace the F-5 and T-38 in the South Korean Air Force and on the worldwide supersonic trainer market. The design of the aircraft, formerly known as the KTX-2 (Korean Trainer, Experimental 2), was done in 1999 . It was renamed T/A-50 Golden Eagle in February 2000 , with the final assembly of the first T-50 taking place on 15 January , 2001 . The first flight of the T-50 took place in August 2002 , with Initial Operational Capability achieved in August 2003 . A production contract for 25 T-50s was placed in December 2003, with aircraft scheduled to be delivered between 2005 and 2009 . DESIGN The T-50 Golden Eagle resembles the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon because it was designed to train Korean fighter pilots for the F-16 . The differences between the F-16 and the T-50 can be found in their speed ( Mach 2.5 vs. Mach 1.5), size (the size of the T-50 is 80% of that of the F-16), cost ($45 million vs. $22 million), and equipment. WEAPONS In addition to an internal M61 Vulcan cannon, the T-50 carries wingtip rails for AIM-9 Sidewinder heat-seeking air-to-air missiles. The underwing and centreline hardpoints can carry rocket pods, air-to-ground or air-to-air missiles (i.e. AGM-65 Maverick ). ENGINES A single General Electric F404 Afterburning Turbofan engine, equipped with Full Authority Digital Engine Control , powers the aircraft. Generates 78.7kN of thrust, it allows the aircraft to cruise at a speed of Mach 1.05, with a maximum speed of Mach 1.5. SEE ALSO
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