FA-50 Light Combat Aircraft, South Korea

This news item feautres the Korean made fighter jet being acquired by the Philippine government from Korea. What is amazing about this information is that we are overtaken by Korea and practically all our neighbors in the regions in terms of technology and economy. Specially the case of military and defense they are manufacturing their own. Yet our government remained blind by the truth that it is only thru making and manufacturing our own military hardwares shall make us independent and secured. Most of all, Economy is the bottomline of all

The FA-50 is a new light combat aircraft manufactured by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF). It is a light combat version of the T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft.

Development of the FA-50 combat aircraft began in October 1997. Six prototypes were built during the development phase that concluded in January 2006.

The FA-50 was awarded military type certificate by the Korean Military Aircraft Airworthiness Committee (MAAC) in October 2012. It is the first fighter-class military aircraft to receive the MAAC certification.

The indigenously developed FA-50 light attack aircraft will replace the ROKAF's ageing fighter fleet of F-5E/F and A-37 aircraft. The FA-50 will also strengthen the defence capability of the ROKAF.

Orders and deliveries of the FA-50

Korea Aerospace Industries was awarded a $600m contract by the Defence Acquisition Programme Administration (DAPA) in December 2011 for the production and supply of 20 FA-50 aircraft to the ROKAF by 2014.

DAPA placed a KRW1.1 trillion ($1bn) follow-on serial production contract with KAI for the FA-50 aircraft in May 2013. The deliveries are expected to start in the second half of 2013 and the full operational deployment of the FA-50 fleet with the ROKAF is scheduled for 2016.

Features of the light combat aircraft

"It is a light combat version of the T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft."

The FA-50, which is based on the T-50 supersonic advanced trainer platform, is offered as an affordable and efficient supersonic advanced light attack platform.

The combat aircraft is intended to meet the light fighter requirements of air forces around the world. The advanced radar provides the FA-50 with detection capability which is similar to that of the KF-16 fighter.

The FA-50 measures 13.14m in length, 9.45m in width and 4.82m in height. The empty weight of the aircraft is 6.47t. The aircraft can take-off with a maximum gross weight of 12.3t.

FA-50 light combat aircraft cockpit and avionics

The tandem glass cockpit of the FA-50 can carry two crew members. It is equipped with wide field of view head-up display (HUD), colour multifunction displays (MFDs), digital engine instrumentation, Hands On Throttle-And-Stick (HOTAS), integrated up-front controls and zero-zero ejection seat.

"The wide range of weapon systems aboard the FA-50 allows it to counter multiple threats."

The flight control systems include digital fly-by-wire, active stick, electrical emergency power unit, digital break-by-wire and triple redundant electrical system.

The cockpit also integrates an On-Board Oxygen Generation Systems (OBOGS). The Night Vision Imaging System (NVIS) aboard the aircraft ensures mission capability during day and night.

The avionics package consists of embedded Inertial Navigation System/Global Positioning System (INS/GPS), integrated mission computer, identification, friend or foe (IFF), radar altimeter, multimode radar, store management system, UHF/VHF radio, tactical data link, data transfer and recording system, Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) and Counter Measure Dispensing System (CMDS).

Weapon systems on the South Korean aircraft

The FA-50 aircraft can carry a weapons load of up to 4.5t. The aircraft can be armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles, AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground tactical missiles (AGM), GBU-38/B Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM), CBU-105 Sensor Fused Weapon (SFW), Mk-82 Low Drag General Purpose (LDGP) bombs and Cluster Bomb Units (CBUs).

The aircraft is also mounted with an internal, three-barrel 20mm Gatling gun and LAU-3/A 19-tube 2.75" rocket launcher for firing Folding-Fin Aerial Rockets (FFAR). The wide range of weapon systems aboard the FA-50 allows it to counter multiple threats in today's complex battlefield scenario.

FA-50 aircraft engines and performance

The power-plant of the FA-50 aircraft integrates a General Electric F404-GE-102 turbofan engine developing 17,700lbf of thrust with afterburner. The engine's performance is controlled by dual-channel Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system.

The fuel is supplied from the internal fuel tanks. The aircraft can carry 568L of additional fuel in its external fuel tank. The power plant provides a maximum speed of 1,837.5km/h (Mach 1.5).

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New Military trucks for AFP

MANILA, Philippines - In line with the AFP modernization program, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin led Tuesday the formal turnover of 157 newly-acquired trucks from Korea to the Philippine Army with His Excellency Lee Hye-Min, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Philippines witnessing the event.

The formal turnover and blessing of the 157 newly acquired trucks from the Republic of Korea were held at the Philippine Army Grandstand in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Col. Antonio Parlade, Jr., Army spokesman, said that the acquisition of 137 units of 1 ¼ ton trucks (KM450) was a negotiated procurement through 1994 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Republic of the Philippines and Republic of Korea and in consonance with Section 4 of Republic Act 9184.

The 2 ½ ton TCT Acquisition Project of the Philippine Army involves the acquisition of 250 units of 2 ½ ton TCT and its Integrated Logistics Support (ILS). The first shipment of 20 units arrived on December 9, while the second shipment of 115 units will be done on the first week of January 2011.

Lt. Col. Arnulfo B. Burgos Jr. said that AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Ricardo A. David Jr. and Philippine Army commanding general, Lt. Gen. Arturo B. Ortiz facilitated the turnover ceremony together with representatives from KIA Motors and HYUNDAI Corp. Manila, Kwang-Joo Kim and Hag Nam Kim, respectively.

"To be able to effectively meet the challenges posed by various threat groups, the AFP is required to continually improve its capabilities in order to stay ahead in the battlefield. Primarily, this entails the acquisition of new or upgrade of existing assets and equipment in the organization," said Burgos.

He added: "Being able to meet various challenges and address the modernization requirements will effectively gear up the Armed Forces for better security operations in the country."

Parlade said: "This truck acquisition project is just one of the many projects that we have adopted in consonance with the Republic Act No 7898, more popularly known as the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program."

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Taiwanese Navy – China: Frigate Sales to Taiwan

Taiwanese Navy – China: Frigate Sales to Taiwan ‘Brutally Interferes’ with Internal Affairs

Posted on December 19, 2014

- USNI News – China issued a strong statement against a planned sale of U.S. Oliver Hazard Perry frigates to Taiwan that was singed into U.S. law on Thursday.

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Taiwan's First Domestically Built Missile Warship Is Its Largest Ever

The news item is so powerful that such a country like Taiwan had an overwhelming capacity to built their own navy ships to patrol it's waters.
I prefer to post these informations to awaken our own spirit of doing the same for our country's security and economy.

Taiwan’s naval capabilities just received an upgrade, as the island nation launched its largest missile ship ever on Tuesday. Named Tuo Chiang (or Tuo River), the 500-ton stealth missile corvette is also Taiwan’s first domestically produced warship. The ship has been equipped with anti-ship capabilities, and Taiwanese officials have described it as being Asia’s most capable war vessel.

Defense Minister Yen Ming presided over the opening ceremony of Tuo Chiang in Su-ao, Yilan County, a major port town in northeastern Taiwan. “During our initial testing, the vessel's speed not only met the requirement but far exceeded our expectations.” Yen said at the ceremony. “This has made it the fastest and most powerful warship in Asia.”

The vessel costs about NT$2.1 billion (US$66.2 million), measures 198 feet long and 46 feet wide, has a range of 2,000 nautical miles (2,300 miles) and carries a crew of 41. The Tuo Chiang’s first captain, Lt. Cmdr. Wang Te-chien, told the media that the ship was originally designed to have a top speed of 38 knots (43 mph), but the ship managed to achieve a maximum speed of 44 knots (50 mph) in recent sea trials.

Wang also said that the ship’s commission back in March 2012 was part of the navy’s efforts to replace its aging fleet, and the delivery of the Tuo Chiang will greatly enhance Taiwan’s naval defense. "The ship has good mobility, and it can carry as many as eight Hsiung Feng III supersonic missiles," which can be used to attack aircraft carriers, Wang told Taiwanese media.

The navy will conduct further tests on the craft over the next six months, as well as begin training to familiarize crew with the craft. The ship is expected to be service-ready in March 2015. The navy has also announced plans to commission between eight and 12 more of the warships if they can secure funding in the future.

The Tuo Chiang’s launch comes shortly after U.S. Congress passed a bill last week authorizing the transfer and sale of up to four Perry-class frigates decommissioned by the U.S. Navy to Taiwan. Reuters reported that Beijing has lodged a complaint with the U.S. over the deal and said that America’s involvement in Taiwan’s military remains one of the most important and sensitive issues in Sino-U.S. ties.

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Taiwan Home made Navy ship

The Country must divert it's attention in manufacturing its own military hardware to benefit both its security and economy. We cannot do the buying forever.

Ching-Kuo fighter programme

The programme to develop the aircraft, known as the An Hsiang or Safe Flight programme, started in 1982 with identification of the requirements for an air-superiority fighter. The rollout ceremony of the first prototype took place in December 1988, when the aircraft was named after the late President Chiang Ching-Kuo. The Ching-Kuo made its first flight in May 1989.

Ching-Kuo air superiority fighters are operational in the RoC Air Force of Taiwan (Republic of China) since January 2000 and the last of a total of 130 entered service in July 2000.

AIDC has developed an upgrade package which includes a digital cockpit, upgraded radar and countermeasures. BAE Systems supplied the new 32-bit digital flight control computer. Two F-CK-1 prototypes were upgraded to F-CK-1 C/D in 2006. The upgraded C/D aircraft made its first flight in October 2006. It was renamed as F-CK-1 C/D Hsiung Ying (Brave Hawk) in 2007. Other improvements in the upgrade package included increased internal fuel capacity, improved avionics, renovated electronic warfare capabilities and strengthened landing gear. Production of the C/D version began in 2009 as part of the $588m Mid Life Upgrade (MLU) programme.

AIDC will upgrade the initial 71 of 130 IDFs under the MLU programme. The first batch of six upgraded F-CK-1 C/D IDFs were delivered to the ROCAF in June 2011. The remaining 65 are expected to be delivered by the end of 2012.

"The aircraft can be armed with rocket pods, bombs, cluster bombs or air-to-surface missiles."

Weapons

The aircraft has an integrated avionics and weapons control system.

A 20mm M61A Vulcan cannon is installed on the starboard side of the fuselage with a Photo-Sonics gun camera.

The aircraft has six hardpoints for carrying external stores, with two under the fuselage, one under each wing and one at each wingtip. The Tien Chien I (TC-1) or Skysword I short-range and the Tien Chien II (TC-2) or Skysword II medium-range air-to-air missiles are supplied by the China State Arsenals. TC-1 has a range of 5km and has an infrared seeker. TC-2, with a range of 60km, has active radar guidance and is armed with a high-explosive warhead weighing 22kg.

For ground attack, the aircraft can be armed with rocket pods, bombs, cluster bombs or air-to-surface missiles such as Maverick. The fighter can also be adapted to carry the TC-2A air-to-surface anti-radiation missile, which uses both active and passive radar guidance. TC-2A is being developed by the Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology in Taipei

Anti-ship missiles such as the Hsiung Feng II, similar to the Israeli Gabriel missile and supplied by the China State Arsenals, can be carried on the fuselage or underwing hardpoints.

Hsiung Feng II has a range of 80km, carries a dual-mode active radar and imaging infrared (III) seeker for terminal guidance and is armed with a 225kg semi armour-piercing, high-explosive warhead.

Three Hsiung Feng II missiles can be carried - one under the central fuselage and one under each wing.

Fuselage

The airframe design was developed under the YingYan or Soaring Eagle programme. The aircraft is of shoulder-wing monoplane (single-wing) design, incorporating composite structure materials. The aircraft is built to withstand 9g loading.

Cockpit

The pressurised and air-conditioned cockpit has a Martin Baker Mark 12 zero zero ejection seat and a single-piece bubble canopy. The cockpit is equipped with three multifunction displays and a head-up display.

Avionics

The Tien Lie or Sky Thunder programme covered the development of the avionics. The design of the avionics suite is configured in Line Replaceable Units (LRU) to allow for system growth and the easy upgrade of systems as new technologies become available.

The aircraft uses a BAE Systems (formerly Lear Astronics) fly-by-wire control system and a Northrop Grumman (formerly Litton) inertial navigation system.

Radar

The aircraft's radar is the Golden Dragon CD-53. The multi-mode pulse Doppler radar has look-down, shoot-down capability and can operate in air and sea search mode. The radar has a range over 80 nautical miles.

"The Ching-Kuo fighter can be adapted to carry the TC-2A air-to-surface anti-radiation missile."

Engine

The TFE1042 engine has been developed by the International Turbine Engine Corporation (ITEC), a joint venture between the Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) and AlliedSignal. The programme to develop the engine was named Yun Han or Cloud Man.

The engine, weighing 1,360lb, delivers 41.1kN maximum thrust. The modular-designed engine has full digital electronic controls.

The kidney-shaped air intakes are mounted low on the centre section of the fuselage, and the two engines are mounted side by side at the rear of the fuselage. The inspection schedule calls for a 2,000-hour hot section and 4,000-hour cold section inspection intervals. The fuel consumption is 0.81lb/h per pound of thrust.

The aircraft is equipped with a variable speed constant frequency electrical power generator, which is supplied by Westinghouse.

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The Taiwan made jets

The Country must divert it's attention in manufacturing its own military hardware to benefit both its security and economy. We cannot do the buying forever. 

Ching-Kuo fighter programme

The programme to develop the aircraft, known as the An Hsiang or Safe Flight programme, started in 1982 with identification of the requirements for an air-superiority fighter. The rollout ceremony of the first prototype took place in December 1988, when the aircraft was named after the late President Chiang Ching-Kuo. The Ching-Kuo made its first flight in May 1989.

Ching-Kuo air superiority fighters are operational in the RoC Air Force of Taiwan (Republic of China) since January 2000 and the last of a total of 130 entered service in July 2000.

AIDC has developed an upgrade package which includes a digital cockpit, upgraded radar and countermeasures. BAE Systems supplied the new 32-bit digital flight control computer. Two F-CK-1 prototypes were upgraded to F-CK-1 C/D in 2006. The upgraded C/D aircraft made its first flight in October 2006. It was renamed as F-CK-1 C/D Hsiung Ying (Brave Hawk) in 2007. Other improvements in the upgrade package included increased internal fuel capacity, improved avionics, renovated electronic warfare capabilities and strengthened landing gear. Production of the C/D version began in 2009 as part of the $588m Mid Life Upgrade (MLU) programme.

AIDC will upgrade the initial 71 of 130 IDFs under the MLU programme. The first batch of six upgraded F-CK-1 C/D IDFs were delivered to the ROCAF in June 2011. The remaining 65 are expected to be delivered by the end of 2012.

"The aircraft can be armed with rocket pods, bombs, cluster bombs or air-to-surface missiles."

Weapons

The aircraft has an integrated avionics and weapons control system.

A 20mm M61A Vulcan cannon is installed on the starboard side of the fuselage with a Photo-Sonics gun camera.

The aircraft has six hardpoints for carrying external stores, with two under the fuselage, one under each wing and one at each wingtip. The Tien Chien I (TC-1) or Skysword I short-range and the Tien Chien II (TC-2) or Skysword II medium-range air-to-air missiles are supplied by the China State Arsenals. TC-1 has a range of 5km and has an infrared seeker. TC-2, with a range of 60km, has active radar guidance and is armed with a high-explosive warhead weighing 22kg.

For ground attack, the aircraft can be armed with rocket pods, bombs, cluster bombs or air-to-surface missiles such as Maverick. The fighter can also be adapted to carry the TC-2A air-to-surface anti-radiation missile, which uses both active and passive radar guidance. TC-2A is being developed by the Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology in Taipei

Anti-ship missiles such as the Hsiung Feng II, similar to the Israeli Gabriel missile and supplied by the China State Arsenals, can be carried on the fuselage or underwing hardpoints.

Hsiung Feng II has a range of 80km, carries a dual-mode active radar and imaging infrared (III) seeker for terminal guidance and is armed with a 225kg semi armour-piercing, high-explosive warhead.

Three Hsiung Feng II missiles can be carried - one under the central fuselage and one under each wing.

Fuselage

The airframe design was developed under the YingYan or Soaring Eagle programme. The aircraft is of shoulder-wing monoplane (single-wing) design, incorporating composite structure materials. The aircraft is built to withstand 9g loading.

Cockpit

The pressurised and air-conditioned cockpit has a Martin Baker Mark 12 zero zero ejection seat and a single-piece bubble canopy. The cockpit is equipped with three multifunction displays and a head-up display.

Avionics

The Tien Lie or Sky Thunder programme covered the development of the avionics. The design of the avionics suite is configured in Line Replaceable Units (LRU) to allow for system growth and the easy upgrade of systems as new technologies become available.

The aircraft uses a BAE Systems (formerly Lear Astronics) fly-by-wire control system and a Northrop Grumman (formerly Litton) inertial navigation system.

Radar

The aircraft's radar is the Golden Dragon CD-53. The multi-mode pulse Doppler radar has look-down, shoot-down capability and can operate in air and sea search mode. The radar has a range over 80 nautical miles.

"The Ching-Kuo fighter can be adapted to carry the TC-2A air-to-surface anti-radiation missile."

Engine

The TFE1042 engine has been developed by the International Turbine Engine Corporation (ITEC), a joint venture between the Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) and AlliedSignal. The programme to develop the engine was named Yun Han or Cloud Man.

The engine, weighing 1,360lb, delivers 41.1kN maximum thrust. The modular-designed engine has full digital electronic controls.

The kidney-shaped air intakes are mounted low on the centre section of the fuselage, and the two engines are mounted side by side at the rear of the fuselage. The inspection schedule calls for a 2,000-hour hot section and 4,000-hour cold section inspection intervals. The fuel consumption is 0.81lb/h per pound of thrust.

The aircraft is equipped with a variable speed constant frequency electrical power generator, which is supplied by Westinghouse.

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18.9 BILLION WILL CREATE AN INVESTMENT

The Philippines will soon acquire a dozen of fighter jets made in Korea, resulting from the trip of President Aquino recently in that country. This is good news for us as we are now growing mature in minding our self defense capabilities amid the tension in the west Philippine sea row.

Korea has been manufacturing and exporting Fighter aircrafts and I  am really amused by the transformation of this country that has become economically giant since the end of  their war. Not only that, Korea's economy has been in the afront ever since with it's world famous brands of household products and  industries.

I cannot deny my intention of comparing 
the Philippines and Korea. I think we need to probe their will and Spirit that has become so successful today, and if found, we need to emulate and copy them to fast track our own growing economy.

My most important concern also is the amount of military spending for the 12 pieces of military jets which is valued to 18 billion pesos which will make Korea more richer.


In this line, I would like to appeal.
Let's make use of the budget amount a little more useful than by just throwing it away.

Why not make the money spent locally for those new machines for military by converting them into a DEFENSE INDUSTRY.

How? 
We have no factories right now.
Correct.

This is the reason to start a factory, a Manufacturing facility that will produce Fighter jets for the Philippines with that billions. 

DEFENSE INDUSTRY is an economic Generator.
The amount is enough to kick-off the industry 
and we need them badly as early as possible.

Who will invest? The government or the Private Sector?

It is neither of the two, it doesn't matter, what matters is FILIPINO.

In the Private sector, we call the merging of Billionaires in the country. They not hesitate, they will help and promote the project even more.