KAI KT-1 Woongbi


The KAI KT-1 Woongbi is a Korean single-engined turboprop, basic training aircraft. It was jointly developed by Korean Aerospace Industries and the Agency for Defence Development. The KT-1 is the first completely indigenous Korean aircraft ever developed.

Development

Origins

The origins of the KT-1 can be found within the KTX programme, which had been launched during 1988 on behalf of the Republic of Korea Air Force. The programme, which sought to develop an indigenously designed trainer aircraft, was a joint effort between aircraft manufacturer Korean Aerospace Industries and government body Agency for Defence Development ; the latter was responsible for overseeing the project, while the former performed the detailed design work as well as the majority of manufacturing activity. Unusually, CATIA computer aided design software was used to produce the design, being the first use of such techniques for an aircraft in its class.
A series of nine prototypes were constructed, the first being complete during June 1991. During November 1991, the maiden flight of the KT-1 took place, after which the flight testing programme formally commenced. During 1995, the aircraft was officially named 'Woongbi'. In 1998, it was announced that the final test flight had been performed. During the following year, an initial production contract was signed for eighty-five aircraft, with provisions for an additional twenty, between manufacturer Korea Aerospace Industries and the RKAF.

Further development

During 2002, KAI revealed that they were working on the production of an upgraded and armed version of the KT-1 basic trainer. This variant, designated KO-1, was intended to be used in the forward air control and counter-insurgency roles. Development was conducted in cooperation with the Agency for Defence Development and had been undertaken in response to an existing RKAF requirement for 20-40 aircraft. According to a KAI representative, the KO-1 is ideally suited for drug interdiction operations and that the company was pitching the variant towards countries in Latin America.
On 8 March 2006, a KAI spokesperson announced that the company intended to export more than 150 improved versions of the KT-1 to various countries across both Central America and Southeast Asia. Furthermore, an improved export version of the KT-1, which was called KT-1C, was also to be launched to support these ambitions. During 2005, KAI had begun marketing the KT-1 as one element of an integrated training package, having paired it with their newer jet-powered KAI T-50 Golden Eagle trainer. The company also stated that it believes a partnership with American aerospace company Lockheed Martin shall encourage confidence in its training platforms.

Design

The KT-1 can be equipped with either an analog or 'glass' cockpit configuration. Some variants feature additional avionics and systems, such as a night vision goggles -compatible cockpit, head-up display, multi-function displays, GPS/inertial navigation system, mission computer, onboard oxygen generation system, a vapour-cycle environmental control system and hands-on-throttle-and-stick -compatible controls. Avionics are provided by various foreign companies, including Elbit, Flight Vision and Thales.
When equipped for the light attack missions, the aircraft can be furnished with various guns, bombs, rockets and missiles dependent upon customer requirements. Other equipment can include external fuel tanks, a centrally mounted forward-looking infrared sensor and a laser range finder. In terms of visual appearance, the KT-1 is reminiscent of the Pilatus PC-9, a wide-used trainer aircraft at the time of its development.

Operational history

The Republic of Korea Air Force is the primary customer for the type. During 2000, the first KT-1 Woongbi was handed over to the RKAF; deliveries had originally been scheduled to commence two years earlier. By the end of that year, eight aircraft had been delivered to the service; reportedly, a rate of production of two aircraft per month had been achieved by this point. By November 2003, the assembly line was reportedly about to be put on hold following the completion of the RKAF's order; however, KAI aimed to restart production within two-three years based upon follow-on orders. However, a follow-on RKAF order for 20 aircraft was received that same month. The majority of the RKAF's fleet can be armed with both gun pods and rockets, which are intended to be used for weapons training.
One of the first export customers for the KT-1 was Indonesia. During early 2001, Indonesia exchanged 8 CASA/IPTN CN-235 transport aircraft for 12 KT-1 trainers. On 25 April 2003, the first KT-1 was delivered to Indonesia, a move which represented the first Korean aircraft export; commenting at the time, KAI stated that it was presently in negotiations for a 13-trainer follow-on order. During early 2011, reported emerged that Indonesia was interested in further acquisitions, but South Korean officials denied that any further barter deals had been agreed. During November 2018, three additional KT-1B aircraft were ordered for the Indonesian Air Force.
In addition to its use as a basic trainer, the IAF have equipped their Jupiter Aerobatic Team with the KT-1. On 15 March 2015, a serious midair collision occurred during a practice session for Malaysia's Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition. Initial reports stated that all four pilots survived the collision.
During June 2007, South Korea and Turkey successfully negotiated a KRW₩500,000,000,000 contract for 40 KT-1s; this exchange involved the modular armor technology of the K2 Black Panther main battle tank, which Turkey hopes to use upon its own future indigenous Atlay MBT. The last of these aircraft, which were designated KT-1T and jointly manufactured by the two nations, was delivered during late 2012. During April 2015, it was announced that Turkey would procure a further 15 KT-1Ts as a stop-gap measure until development of its indigenous TAI Hürkuş trainer aircraft could be completed.
On 6 November 2012, KAI and the Peruvian Air Force signed a contract for 20 KT-1Ps, comprising ten KT and ten KA versions as well as some offset and technology transfer arrangements, for an approximate amount of US$208 million. KAI was to provide the first four aircraft by the end of 2014, while the remainder were to be locally assembled by SEMAN, the maintenance air wing of the Peruvian Air Force. The type shall progressively replace the aging fleets of Aermacchi MB-339 and Embraer EMB 312 Tucano aircraft. During April 2015, the first locally manufactured KT-1P was delivered to the Peruvian Air Force.
During November 2018, Spain proposed a barter deal to South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration involving the KT-1 and other Korean aircraft, potentially involving up to 30 planes, which Spain wished to exchange for up to 6 Airbus A400M Atlas transport planes. If completed, this deal would be first export of the KT-1 to a European Union country.

Variants

;KTX-1 Yeo-myung
;KT-1
, 2010.
;KA-1
;KT-1B
;KT-1C
;KT-1T
;KT-1P
;KA-1P
;KA-1S

Operators

Citations