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T-50 Multirole Trainer

Partnership

History

In the early 1990s, the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) began to recognize the growing capability gap between their existing fast jet trainers and modern fighters. This drove the ROKAF to use their operational fighters to satisfy some of their fast jet training needs.

The ROKAF then began to look at fast jet trainers that were available on the market that could be used to minimize this capability and skills gap. They found that most lacked the modern cockpit, digital flight controls, aero performance and avionics needed to bridge the growing gap. The solution – developing the T-50 Multirole Trainer.

Dedicated To Providing the World’s Best Jet Trainer

The T-50 was developed by a world-class team. The Korean government is providing funding and oversight on the program. The Republic of Korea Air Force is responsible for program management, defining requirements and conducting the flight test program – and is the first user.

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), prime contractor for the program, is responsible for aircraft design, integration and major component fabrication and will mate and deliver the T-50 from their factory in Sacheon.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, principal subcontractor and advisor to KAI for the development program, is responsible for the development of the wings, flight controls and avionics. Lockheed Martin is also partnered with KAI for long-term marketing the aircraft in the U.S. and internationally.

We also have a strong supplier team, which includes General Electric for the engine, another division of Lockheed Martin for the radar, Messier-Dowty, Honeywell and other leading aerospace companies.

This is a very strong team committed to the long-term success of the T-50 program.