KAI KT-1

KT-1 Ungbi

Picture - KT-1 during a demonstration

Role: Basic trainer Light attack
National origin: Republic of Korea
Manufacturer: Korean Aerospace Industries
Designed by: Daewoo Heavy Industries and Agency for Defence Development (ADD)
First flight: November 1991
Introduced: 2000
Status: Operational
Primary user: Republic of Korea Air Force
Number built: 92
Unit cost: $4.7 million

This article refers to the South Korean basic trainer. For the Chinese commercial launch vehicle also known as KT-1, see Kaituozhe-1.

The KAI KT-1 Ungbi (Hangul: KT-1 웅비) is a Korean single-engined turboprop, basic training aircraft. It was jointly developed by KAI and the Agency for Defence Development (ADD). The KT-1 is the first completely indigenous Korean aircraft ever developed.

Design and development

Development was initiated under the KTX program for the Republic of Korea Air Force in 1988 using the CATIA computer program to completely develop the aircraft, the first of its class. Nine prototypes were built on June 1991 with the first flight of the KT-1 occurring on November 1991 for static and fatigue testing. In 1995, the project was officially named 'Ungbi'. In 1998 the final test flight was performed. In 1999, a contract was signed for eighty-five aircraft with provisions for an additional twenty between Korea Aerospace Industries and the Republic of Korea. The first KT-1 Ungbi was handed over to the Republic of Korea Air Force in 2000 with the delivery of the eighty-five aircraft being completed in 2002.

KT-1 can be equipped with either an analog or 'glass' cockpit configuration. Both types are employed by the Republic of Korea Air Force. In terms of appearance, the KT-1 is visually reminiscent of the Pilatus PC-9.

Operational history

KAI exported seven planes plus spare parts to Indonesia in April 2003 under a 60 million USD contract, and five more in May 2005. In a recent press release held in Sacheon, South Korea on March 8, 2006, KAI stated that it will export more than 150 improved versions of the KT-1 to various countries in Central America and Southeast Asia. The improved export version of the KT-1 will be called KT-1C.

As of June, 2007, South Korea and Turkey have successfully negotiated for a contract of exporting 40(+15) KT-1, as well as modular armor technology of K2 Black Panther for Turkey's future indigenous MBT, to Turkey for KRWâ‚©500,000,000,000 (approximately USD$540,000,000).

A statement published by Cheong Wa Dae, the South Korean Presidential website, on 26 January 2010, said that India and South Korea had agreed, as part of upgrading their partnership to a 'strategic relationship', form a joint committee in the first half of 2010. The statement added that this committee will facilitate an offer from Seoul to supply up to 60 KT-1 trainers to meet Indian Air Force requirements.

Variants

KTX-1 Yeo-Myung Prototype primary trainer each with a different engine fitted, six built.

Picture - A KA-1 at Osan Air Base, 2010.

KA-1 An armed advanced trainer with light attack and forward air control capabilities. Several new features unique to the KA-1 are head-up-display and up-front control panel, MFD panels, five hardpoints, two under each wing and one under the fuselage. The hardpoints maybe be equipped with rocket launcher, gun pods or AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.

KT-1B Export version for Indonesia.

KT-1C Improved, armed export version equipped with a centreline Forward looking infrared pod. The KT-1C may also be equipped with a 12.7mm gun pod, chaffes, flares, training missiles, rockets or unguided bombs.

KT-1T Export version for Turkey.

Operators

Indonesia

Indonesian Air Force 12 (1 Lost during training 24-Jun-2010 )

Republic of Korea

Republic of Korea Air Force

Turkey

Turkish Air Force 40(+15 optional)

Specifications (KT-1)

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003-2004

General characteristics

Crew: 2 in tandem
Length: 10.26 m (33 ft 8 in)
Wingspan: 10.59 m (34 ft 9 in)
Height: 3.68 m (12 ft 1 in)
Wing area: 16.01 m² (172.3 sq ft)
Empty weight: 1,910 kg (4,210 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 2,540 kg (5,600 lb)
Powerplant: 1x— Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-62, 950 hp (708 kW)

Performance

Maximum speed: 574 km/h (310 knots, 357 mph) (IAS)
Range: 1,333 km (720 nmi, 828 mi) at 7.620 m (25,000 ft), max internal fuel
Service ceiling: 11,580 m (38,000 ft)
Rate of climb: 16.2 m/min (3,180 ft/min)

T/A-50 Golden Eagle

Comparable aircraft

Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano
Pilatus PC-9
PZL-130 Orlik
Short Tucano
Texan II
TAI Hx¼rkuÅŸ

Bibliography

Jackson, Paul (2003). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003-2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 0-7106-2537-5.
Taylor, Michael J. H. (1996). Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory. London, England: Brassey's. ISBN 1 85733 1981 1.

KAI KT-1 Pictures and KAI KT-1 for Sale.

Living Warbirds: The best warbirds DVD series.

Source: WikiPedia