KF-20 Chamsuri: Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search
 
(20 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Infobox aircraft
{|{{Infobox aircraft begin
  |name= KF-20 Chamsuri
  |name           = KF-20 Chamsuri
  |image=File:OIG4 (2).jpg
  |image           = 1-1-2(F-15K).jpg
  |image_caption= RJAF KF-20, 1st Fighter Wing, 2020
  |caption        = RJAF KF-20, 1st Fighter Wing, 2030
  |aircraft_type= {{wp|Air superiority fighter}}
}}{{Infobox aircraft type
  |national_origin= [[Joseon]]
  |type            = {{wp|Multirole combat aircraft}}
  |manufacturer= Daesung Aerospace,. Inc.
  |national origin = {{flag|Joseon}}
  |designer= Daesung Aerospace,. Inc.
  |manufacturer   = Daesung Aerospace,. Inc.
  |first_flight= {{Start date and age|1995|06|25|df=yes}}
  |design group    =  
  |introduction= {{Start date and age|1998|02|04|df=yes}}
  |designer        =  
  |retired=
|builder        =
  |produced= 1995–2007
  |first flight    =  
  |number_built=
  |introduction    = 4 February 2008
  |status= In service
  |introduced      =  
  |primary_user= [[Royal Joseon Air Force]] <!--Limit one (1) primary user. Top 4 users listed in 'primary user' and 'more users' fields based on numbers in their fleets. -->
  |retired        =  
  |more_users=
  |status         = In service
  |developed_from=
  |primary user    = [[Royal Joseon Air Force]]
  |variants=  
|more users     =
  |developed_into=
|produced        =
|number built    =
  |program cost    =  
  |unit cost      =
  |developed from  =  
  |variants with their own articles =
}}
}}
|}


The '''Daesung Aerospace KF-20 Chamsuri''' is a [[Joseon]]'s twin-engine, all-weather fighter aircraft designed by Daesung Aerospace. The KF-20 is designed as an air superiority fighter but can also perform tasks like ground attacks as a multirole fighter.  
The '''Daesung Aerospace KF-20 Chamsuri''' is a [[Joseon]]'s twin-engine, all-weather fighter aircraft designed by Daesung Aerospace. The KF-20 is designed as an air superiority fighter but can also perform tasks like ground attacks as a multirole fighter.  


Since its successful first test flight in 1995, the KF-20 was introduced in 1998, and 1160 aircraft were manufactured. The [[Royal Joseon Air Force]](RJAF) had planned to replace all KF-20s with [[KF-24 Huinmae]] and [[KF-23 Chammae]] by the late 2020s, but at least 200 are expected to be active by the 2030s, in line with the Defense Committee of the [[National Assembly (Joseon)|National Assembly]]'s recommendation to maintain a certain number of non-stealth multirole fighter jets.
Since its successful first test flight in 2005, the KF-20 was introduced in 2008, and 1,280 aircraft were manufactured. The [[Royal Joseon Air Force]](RJAF) had planned to replace all KF-20s with [[KF-24 Huinmae]] and [[KF-23 Chammae]] by the late 2030s, but at least 200 are expected to be active by the 2040s, in line with the Defense Committee of the [[National Assembly (Joseon)|National Assembly]]'s recommendation to maintain a certain number of non-stealth multirole fighter jets.
 
Like all other combat equipment and vehicles of the Royal Joseon Armed Forces, the KF-20 is also integrated into the Joseon's Battle Management System(BMS), '[[Gongmyeong-2E]],' sharing real-time information about battlefields and changes in conditions with other units and aircraft, vehicles, and ships.


==Development==
==Development==


In 1989, the RJAF submitted a requirement institution to the Ministry of Defence for new fighter jets to secure the ability to respond to the Su-27 and its variant fighters, and to serve as a platform for various stand-off and ground-attack weapons.
In 1999, the RJAF submitted a requirement institution to the Ministry of Defence for new fighter jets to secure the ability to respond to the Su-27 and its variant fighters, and to serve as a platform for various stand-off and ground-attack weapons.


Two companies participated in the open bidding, with Daesung Aerospace proposing the XA-20 model and Korea Aerospace Industries(KAI) proposing the FX-21 model. The XA-20 had the advantage of being more high-performance, while the FX-21 was cheaper, and more scalable in system platforms. The bidding competition between the two companies changed in 1990 when [[Royal Joseon Navy]](RJN) submitted a requirement institution for a new aircraft carrier-based fighter jet. KAI ceded the Air Force's business to Daesung Aerospace, who ceded the Navy's business to KAI. This was because the requirements of the Air Force and Navy met KAI's proposal model, respectively, or Daesung Aerospace's proposal model.
Two companies participated in the open bidding, with Daesung Aerospace proposing the XA-20 model and Korea Aerospace Industries(KAI) proposing the FX-21 model. The XA-20 had the advantage of being more high-performance, while the FX-21 was cheaper, and more scalable in system platforms. The bidding competition between the two companies changed in 1990 when [[Royal Joseon Navy]](RJN) submitted a requirement institution for a new aircraft carrier-based fighter jet. KAI ceded the Air Force's business to Daesung Aerospace, who ceded the Navy's business to KAI. This was because the requirements of the Air Force and Navy met KAI's proposal model, respectively, or Daesung Aerospace's proposal model.
Line 32: Line 40:
Daesung Aerospace designed the KF-20 based on the XA-20 model, and KAI designed the {{wp|KAI KF-21 Boramae|KF-21}} based on the FX-21 model. Both aircraft models were named the next generation of fighter jets for the Air Force and the Navy.
Daesung Aerospace designed the KF-20 based on the XA-20 model, and KAI designed the {{wp|KAI KF-21 Boramae|KF-21}} based on the FX-21 model. Both aircraft models were named the next generation of fighter jets for the Air Force and the Navy.


The KF-20 succeeded in its first flight on June 25, 1995. A total of 10 prototype aircraft conducted flight tests and armed tests until 1998, and since the first aircraft was delivered to the Air Force in 1997, the KF-20 has been active since 1998.
The KF-20 succeeded in its first flight on June 25, 2005. A total of 10 prototype aircraft conducted flight tests and armed tests until 2008, and since the first aircraft was delivered to the Air Force in 2007, the KF-20 has been active since 2008.


==Design==
==Design==
Line 38: Line 46:
===Radar signature reduction measures===
===Radar signature reduction measures===


The KF-20 has applied several stealth designs to reduce the RCS(Radar cross-section), even though it is classified as a non-stealth aircraft, a 4.5th generation fighter. The KF-20 is designed to allow the {{wp|vertical stabilizer}}s to have a certain level of inclination, ensuring stealth capabilities on some aspects of the aircraft. The design of the engine inlets reduces the KF-20's frontal RCS. The alignment of the leading edges of the engine inlets is designed to scatter radiation to the sides. Fixed fanlike reflecting structures in the inlet tunnel divert radar energy away from the rotating fan blades. The KF-20 also makes considerable use of panel joint serration and edge alignment to direct reflected waves away from the aircraft in uniformly narrow angles. Considerable attention is paid to the removal or filling of unnecessary surface join gaps and resonant cavities. The KF-20 has a frontal RCS an order of magnitude smaller than prior generation fighters.  
The KF-20 is a 4.5th-generation fighter, and it does not have stealth capabilities. However, in 2023, RJAF painted the entire fuselage with paint with radar radio absorption to reduce the KF-20's (Radar cross-section). The design of the engine inlets reduces the KF-20's frontal RCS. The alignment of the leading edges of the engine inlets is designed to scatter radiation to the sides. The KF-20 also makes considerable use of panel joint serration and edge alignment to direct reflected waves away from the aircraft in uniformly narrow angles. Considerable attention is paid to the removal or filling of unnecessary surface join gaps and resonant cavities. The KF-20 has a frontal RCS an order of magnitude smaller than prior generation fighters. KF-20 is known to have more than five times less RCS than 4th-generation fighters of the same size.


===Avionics===
===Avionics===


The KF-20's AN/APG-01 {{wp|Active electronically scanned array|AESA}} radar can detect aircraft with an RCS 1m^2 size at 160km. Also, the AN/APG-02 radar also has high-resolution mapping, and moving target tracking capability (GMTI) capabilities. AN/APG-01 is highly resistant to DRFM jammer attacks due to enhanced electronic protection capabilities, can organically change frequencies or patterns of radio waves, and radio algorithms are also very complex, reducing the risk of exposure to locations through radio backtracking by enemy ESM equipment or Passive radar. The AN/APG-01 radar can also detect smaller targets, such as inbound missiles and can track air targets beyond the range of the aircraft's air-to-air missiles.
The KF-20's AN/APG-01 {{wp|Active electronically scanned array|AESA}} radar can detect aircraft with an RCS 1m^2 size at 190km. Also, the AN/APG-02 radar also has high-resolution mapping, and moving target tracking capability (GMTI) capabilities. AN/APG-01 is highly resistant to DRFM jammer attacks due to enhanced electronic protection capabilities, can organically change frequencies or patterns of radio waves, and radio algorithms are also very complex, reducing the risk of exposure to locations through radio backtracking by enemy ESM equipment or Passive radar. The AN/APG-01 radar can also detect smaller targets, such as inbound missiles and can track air targets beyond the range of the aircraft's air-to-air missiles.


The first KF-20 upgraded with the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) was delivered to VFA-213 on 18 May 2013. The JHMCS provides multi-purpose situational awareness, which includes high-off-boresight missile cuing. The Shared Reconnaissance Pod (SHARP) is a high-resolution, digital tactical aerial reconnaissance system that features advanced day/night and all-weather capability.
The first KF-20 upgraded with the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) was delivered to the RJAF on 18 May 2023. The JHMCS provides multi-purpose situational awareness, which includes high-off-boresight missile cuing. The Shared Reconnaissance Pod (SHARP) is a high-resolution, digital tactical aerial reconnaissance system that features advanced day/night and all-weather capability.


Since 2019, the KF-20 has been equipped with KAN/AAQ-04-S EOTS, a miniaturized version of the KAN/AAQ-04 EOTS mounted on the KF-23 and KF-24. KAN/AAQ-04-S EOTS is responsible for exploring the approximate location of enemy stealth targets detected by KF-24 using a X-Band radar in more detail, identifying detailed location information of enemy stealth targets, and guiding radar-guided missiles, including AIM-120D, to enemy stealth targets. The EOTS equipped on the KF-20 has a detection range of 150 kilometers, and if necessary, the KF-20 can perform BVR(Beyond-visual-range) air combat using only EOTS without radar operation.
Since 2019, the KF-20 has been equipped with KAN/AAQ-04-S EOTS, a miniaturized version of the KAN/AAQ-04 EOTS equipped on the KF-23 and KF-24. KAN/AAQ-04-S EOTS is responsible for exploring the approximate location of enemy stealth targets detected by KF-24 using an X-Band radar in more detail, identifying detailed location information of enemy stealth targets, and guiding radar-guided missiles, including AIM-120D, to enemy stealth targets. The EOTS equipped on the KF-20 has a detection range of 110 kilometers, and if necessary, the KF-20 can perform BVR(Beyond-visual-range) air combat using only EOTS without radar operation.


The KF-20 uses a fly-by-wire control system to improve the flight stability of the aircraft.
The KF-20 uses a fly-by-wire control system to improve the flight stability of the aircraft.
Line 52: Line 60:
===Engines===
===Engines===


The Hanwha Aerospace JT-144 is a low-bypass axial-flow afterburning turbofan. It has a 3-stage fan driven by a two-stage low-pressure turbine and a 9-stage compressor driven by a one-stage high-pressure turbine; overall pressure ratio is 30.4 and bypass ratio is 0.87. In contrast to the ambitious raw performance goals for the F100 of high thrust and low weight, the F110 placed a greater emphasis on balancing between reliability, operability, and performance. The fan and inlet guide vanes were designed to smooth airflow to increase resistance to compressor stalls. The engine has an electronic and hydromechanical control system that make it more forgiving of rapid throttle inputs.
The Hanwha Aerospace JT-144 is a low-bypass axial-flow afterburning turbofan. It has a 3-stage fan driven by a two-stage low-pressure turbine and a 9-stage compressor driven by a one-stage high-pressure turbine; overall pressure ratio is 30.4 and bypass ratio is 0.87. In contrast to the ambitious raw performance goals for the JT-144 of high thrust and low weight, the F110 placed a greater emphasis on balancing between reliability, operability, and performance. The fan and inlet guide vanes were designed to smooth airflow to increase resistance to compressor stalls. The engine has an electronic and hydromechanical control system that make it more forgiving of rapid throttle inputs.


The KF-20 is capable of supersonic cruise (supercruise) without using afterburners. RJAF evaluation a maximum supercruise speed of Mach 1.1 for the KF-20.
The KF-20 is capable of supersonic cruise (supercruise) without using afterburners. RJAF evaluation a maximum supercruise speed of Mach 1.5 for the KF-20.


===Helmet===
===Helmet===
Line 62: Line 70:
===Armaments===
===Armaments===


There are a total of 11 hard points in the KF-20, each of which can be equipped with short/medium/long range air-to-air missiles, stand-off weapons, ground attack weapons, and external fuel tanks.
There are a total of 11 hard points in the KF-20, each of which can be equipped with short/medium/long range air-to-air missiles, stand-off weapons, ground attack weapons, and external fuel tanks. KF-20 has 4 wing pylons and 2 fuselage pylons that can operate multiple armaments at once, and likewise, it has conformal fuel tank(CFT) pylons that can operate multiple armaments.


===Protection===
===Protection===
Line 69: Line 77:


The KF-20 has military-grade protection against non-nuclear and nuclear shock wave EMPs.
The KF-20 has military-grade protection against non-nuclear and nuclear shock wave EMPs.
==Operators==
[[File:Four F-15SE Silent Eagle fighters with Canard wings in flight over the skies of the South Korean city, light grey color.jpg|thumb|left|A squadron of KF-20 fighters flies over the skies of Yeosu city.]]
*{{flag|Joseon}}
**{{Armed forces|Joseon}}
***{{air force|Joseon}}


==Specifications==
==Specifications==
Line 75: Line 91:


* Crew: 2
* Crew: 2
* Length: 19.44 m
* Length: 19.44 m  
* Wingspan: 13.05 m
* Wingspan: 13.05 m
* Height: 5.63 m
* Height: 5.63 m
* Empty weight: 34,600 lb (15,694 kg)
* Empty weight: 31,634 lb (14,379 kg)
* Max takeoff weight: 81,000 lb (36,741 kg)
* Max takeoff weight: 81,000 lb (36,700 kg)
* Fuel capacity: 12,915 lb (5,858 kg) internal
* Fuel capacity: 12,915 lb (5,858 kg) internal
* Powerplant: 2 x Hanwha Aerospace JT-144 turbofans, 17,800 lb dry (79 kN); 29,160 lb (129.7 kN) with afterburner each
* Powerplant: 2 x Hanwha Aerospace JT-144 turbofans, 17,800 lb dry (79 kN); 29,160 lb (129.7 kN) with afterburner each
Line 91: Line 107:
* Range:  
* Range:  
**Combat range: 687 nmi (791 mi, 1,272 km)
**Combat range: 687 nmi (791 mi, 1,272 km)
**2,100 nmi (2,400 mi, 3,900 km) with conformal fuel tanks and three external fuel tanks
**3,077 nmi (3,541 mi, 5,700 km) with conformal fuel tanks(CFTs) and three external fuel tanks, 4,445km with CFTs
* Service ceiling: 60,000 ft (18,000 m)
* Service ceiling: 60,000 ft (18,000 m)
* g limits: +9.5
* g limits: +9.5
Line 97: Line 113:
===Armament===
===Armament===


* Gun: 1× 20 mm M61A2 Vulcan rotary cannon, 540 rounds
* Gun: 1× 20 mm M61A2 Vulcan rotary cannon, 500 rounds
* Air-to-air mission loadout(Internal weapons bays)
* Air-to-air mission loadout
** 8 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or [https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1859286 KAIM-3] + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
** 6 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or [https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1859286 KAIM-3] + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
** 12 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or [https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1859286 KAIM-3] + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
** 4 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or [https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1859286 KAIM-3] + 4 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
* Air-to-ground mission loadout(Internal weapons bays)
* Air-to-ground mission loadout
** 4 x 2,000 lb JDAM + 2 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or [https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1859286 KAIM-3] + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
** 7 x 2,000 lb JDAM + 2 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or [https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1859286 KAIM-3] + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
** 10 x 1,000 lb JDAM + 2 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or [https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1859286 KAIM-3] + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
** 7 x 1,000 lb JDAM + 2 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or [https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1859286 KAIM-3] + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
** 4 x 2,000 lb GBU-24 Paveway III + 2 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or [https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1859286 KAIM-3] + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
** 7 x 2,000 lb GBU-24 Paveway III + 2 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or [https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1859286 KAIM-3] + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
** 10 x 500 lb Paveway IV + 2 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or [https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1859286 KAIM-3] + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
** 1 x 2,000 lb GBU-10 + 8 x 500 lb Paveway IV + 2 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or [https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1859286 KAIM-3] + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
** 10 x 1,000 lb GBU-16 Paveway II + 2 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or [https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1859286 KAIM-3] + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
** 7 x 1,000 lb GBU-16 Paveway II + 2 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or [https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1859286 KAIM-3] + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
** 18 x 250 lb GBU-39 SDB + 2 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or [https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1859286 KAIM-3] + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
** 36 x 250 lb GBU-39 SDB + 2 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or [https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1859286 KAIM-3] + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
** 4 x AGM-158 JASSM + 4 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or [https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1859286 KAIM-3] + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
** 2 x AGM-158 JASSM + 4 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or [https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1859286 KAIM-3] + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
** 6 x AGM-65E/F Maverick + 2 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or [https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1859286 KAIM-3] + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
** 6 x AGM-65E/F Maverick + 2 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or [https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1859286 KAIM-3] + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
* Air-to-ship mission loadout(Internal weapons bays)
* Air-to-ship mission loadout
** 4 x [[Next-Generation Anti-ship Missile|NGAM]] + 2 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or [https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1859286 KAIM-3] + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
** 2 x [[Next-Generation Anti-ship Missile|NGAM]] + 2 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or [https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1859286 KAIM-3] + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
** 4 x [https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1887923 ASM-1100K] + 2 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or [https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1859286 KAIM-3] + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
** 2 x [https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1887923 ASM-1100K] + 2 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or [https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1859286 KAIM-3] + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
** 4 x AGM-158C LRASM + 2 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or [https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1859286 KAIM-3] + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
** 2 x AGM-158C LRASM + 2 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or [https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1859286 KAIM-3] + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
** 4 x Joint Strike Missile (JSM) + 2 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or [https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1859286 KAIM-3] + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
** 2 x Joint Strike Missile (JSM) + 2 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or [https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1859286 KAIM-3] + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder


===Avionics===
===Avionics===

Latest revision as of 02:27, 30 November 2024

KF-20 Chamsuri
1-1-2(F-15K).jpg
RJAF KF-20, 1st Fighter Wing, 2030
Role Multirole combat aircraft
National origin  Joseon
Manufacturer Daesung Aerospace,. Inc.
Introduction 4 February 2008
Status In service
Primary user Royal Joseon Air Force

The Daesung Aerospace KF-20 Chamsuri is a Joseon's twin-engine, all-weather fighter aircraft designed by Daesung Aerospace. The KF-20 is designed as an air superiority fighter but can also perform tasks like ground attacks as a multirole fighter.

Since its successful first test flight in 2005, the KF-20 was introduced in 2008, and 1,280 aircraft were manufactured. The Royal Joseon Air Force(RJAF) had planned to replace all KF-20s with KF-24 Huinmae and KF-23 Chammae by the late 2030s, but at least 200 are expected to be active by the 2040s, in line with the Defense Committee of the National Assembly's recommendation to maintain a certain number of non-stealth multirole fighter jets.

Like all other combat equipment and vehicles of the Royal Joseon Armed Forces, the KF-20 is also integrated into the Joseon's Battle Management System(BMS), 'Gongmyeong-2E,' sharing real-time information about battlefields and changes in conditions with other units and aircraft, vehicles, and ships.

Development

In 1999, the RJAF submitted a requirement institution to the Ministry of Defence for new fighter jets to secure the ability to respond to the Su-27 and its variant fighters, and to serve as a platform for various stand-off and ground-attack weapons.

Two companies participated in the open bidding, with Daesung Aerospace proposing the XA-20 model and Korea Aerospace Industries(KAI) proposing the FX-21 model. The XA-20 had the advantage of being more high-performance, while the FX-21 was cheaper, and more scalable in system platforms. The bidding competition between the two companies changed in 1990 when Royal Joseon Navy(RJN) submitted a requirement institution for a new aircraft carrier-based fighter jet. KAI ceded the Air Force's business to Daesung Aerospace, who ceded the Navy's business to KAI. This was because the requirements of the Air Force and Navy met KAI's proposal model, respectively, or Daesung Aerospace's proposal model.

Daesung Aerospace designed the KF-20 based on the XA-20 model, and KAI designed the KF-21 based on the FX-21 model. Both aircraft models were named the next generation of fighter jets for the Air Force and the Navy.

The KF-20 succeeded in its first flight on June 25, 2005. A total of 10 prototype aircraft conducted flight tests and armed tests until 2008, and since the first aircraft was delivered to the Air Force in 2007, the KF-20 has been active since 2008.

Design

Radar signature reduction measures

The KF-20 is a 4.5th-generation fighter, and it does not have stealth capabilities. However, in 2023, RJAF painted the entire fuselage with paint with radar radio absorption to reduce the KF-20's (Radar cross-section). The design of the engine inlets reduces the KF-20's frontal RCS. The alignment of the leading edges of the engine inlets is designed to scatter radiation to the sides. The KF-20 also makes considerable use of panel joint serration and edge alignment to direct reflected waves away from the aircraft in uniformly narrow angles. Considerable attention is paid to the removal or filling of unnecessary surface join gaps and resonant cavities. The KF-20 has a frontal RCS an order of magnitude smaller than prior generation fighters. KF-20 is known to have more than five times less RCS than 4th-generation fighters of the same size.

Avionics

The KF-20's AN/APG-01 AESA radar can detect aircraft with an RCS 1m^2 size at 190km. Also, the AN/APG-02 radar also has high-resolution mapping, and moving target tracking capability (GMTI) capabilities. AN/APG-01 is highly resistant to DRFM jammer attacks due to enhanced electronic protection capabilities, can organically change frequencies or patterns of radio waves, and radio algorithms are also very complex, reducing the risk of exposure to locations through radio backtracking by enemy ESM equipment or Passive radar. The AN/APG-01 radar can also detect smaller targets, such as inbound missiles and can track air targets beyond the range of the aircraft's air-to-air missiles.

The first KF-20 upgraded with the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) was delivered to the RJAF on 18 May 2023. The JHMCS provides multi-purpose situational awareness, which includes high-off-boresight missile cuing. The Shared Reconnaissance Pod (SHARP) is a high-resolution, digital tactical aerial reconnaissance system that features advanced day/night and all-weather capability.

Since 2019, the KF-20 has been equipped with KAN/AAQ-04-S EOTS, a miniaturized version of the KAN/AAQ-04 EOTS equipped on the KF-23 and KF-24. KAN/AAQ-04-S EOTS is responsible for exploring the approximate location of enemy stealth targets detected by KF-24 using an X-Band radar in more detail, identifying detailed location information of enemy stealth targets, and guiding radar-guided missiles, including AIM-120D, to enemy stealth targets. The EOTS equipped on the KF-20 has a detection range of 110 kilometers, and if necessary, the KF-20 can perform BVR(Beyond-visual-range) air combat using only EOTS without radar operation.

The KF-20 uses a fly-by-wire control system to improve the flight stability of the aircraft.

Engines

The Hanwha Aerospace JT-144 is a low-bypass axial-flow afterburning turbofan. It has a 3-stage fan driven by a two-stage low-pressure turbine and a 9-stage compressor driven by a one-stage high-pressure turbine; overall pressure ratio is 30.4 and bypass ratio is 0.87. In contrast to the ambitious raw performance goals for the JT-144 of high thrust and low weight, the F110 placed a greater emphasis on balancing between reliability, operability, and performance. The fan and inlet guide vanes were designed to smooth airflow to increase resistance to compressor stalls. The engine has an electronic and hydromechanical control system that make it more forgiving of rapid throttle inputs.

The KF-20 is capable of supersonic cruise (supercruise) without using afterburners. RJAF evaluation a maximum supercruise speed of Mach 1.5 for the KF-20.

Helmet

The Vision Systems International helmet display has been integrated into KF-20 since 2015. The Vision Systems International helmet display is a key piece of the KF-20's human-machine interface. Instead of the head-up display mounted atop the dashboard of earlier fighters, the HMDS puts flight and combat information on the helmet visor, allowing the pilot to see it no matter which way they are facing. Infrared and night vision imagery from the Distributed Aperture System can be displayed directly on the HMDS and enables the pilot to "see through" the aircraft. The HMDS allows a KF-20 pilot to fire missiles at targets even when the nose of the aircraft is pointing elsewhere by cuing missile seekers at high angles off-boresight.

Armaments

There are a total of 11 hard points in the KF-20, each of which can be equipped with short/medium/long range air-to-air missiles, stand-off weapons, ground attack weapons, and external fuel tanks. KF-20 has 4 wing pylons and 2 fuselage pylons that can operate multiple armaments at once, and likewise, it has conformal fuel tank(CFT) pylons that can operate multiple armaments.

Protection

The defensive countermeasures of the KF-20 includes the AN/ALR-67(V)3 radar warning receiver, the AN/ALE-47 countermeasures dispenser, the ALE-55 towed decoys and the AN/ALQ-214 Integrated Defensive Countermeasures (IDECM) system.

The KF-20 has military-grade protection against non-nuclear and nuclear shock wave EMPs.

Operators

A squadron of KF-20 fighters flies over the skies of Yeosu city.

Specifications

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 19.44 m
  • Wingspan: 13.05 m
  • Height: 5.63 m
  • Empty weight: 31,634 lb (14,379 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 81,000 lb (36,700 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 12,915 lb (5,858 kg) internal
  • Powerplant: 2 x Hanwha Aerospace JT-144 turbofans, 17,800 lb dry (79 kN); 29,160 lb (129.7 kN) with afterburner each

Performance

  • Maximum speed:
    • Mach 2.5, 1,650 mph (2,655 km/h) at high altitude
    • Mach 1.2 / 800 kn (921 mph; 1,482 km/h) at low altitude
    • Supercruise: Mach 1.5
  • Range:
    • Combat range: 687 nmi (791 mi, 1,272 km)
    • 3,077 nmi (3,541 mi, 5,700 km) with conformal fuel tanks(CFTs) and three external fuel tanks, 4,445km with CFTs
  • Service ceiling: 60,000 ft (18,000 m)
  • g limits: +9.5

Armament

  • Gun: 1× 20 mm M61A2 Vulcan rotary cannon, 500 rounds
  • Air-to-air mission loadout
    • 6 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or KAIM-3 + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
    • 4 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or KAIM-3 + 4 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
  • Air-to-ground mission loadout
    • 7 x 2,000 lb JDAM + 2 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or KAIM-3 + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
    • 7 x 1,000 lb JDAM + 2 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or KAIM-3 + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
    • 7 x 2,000 lb GBU-24 Paveway III + 2 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or KAIM-3 + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
    • 1 x 2,000 lb GBU-10 + 8 x 500 lb Paveway IV + 2 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or KAIM-3 + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
    • 7 x 1,000 lb GBU-16 Paveway II + 2 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or KAIM-3 + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
    • 36 x 250 lb GBU-39 SDB + 2 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or KAIM-3 + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
    • 2 x AGM-158 JASSM + 4 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or KAIM-3 + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
    • 6 x AGM-65E/F Maverick + 2 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or KAIM-3 + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
  • Air-to-ship mission loadout
    • 2 x NGAM + 2 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or KAIM-3 + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
    • 2 x ASM-1100K + 2 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or KAIM-3 + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
    • 2 x AGM-158C LRASM + 2 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or KAIM-3 + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder
    • 2 x Joint Strike Missile (JSM) + 2 x AIM-120C/D AMRAAM or KAIM-3 + 2 x AIM-9M/X Sidewinder

Avionics

  • AN/APG-01 X-Band AESA Radar
  • AN/ALR-94 RWR
  • KAN/AAQ-04-S EOTS
  • KAN/ASQ-23 "Witch" Electronic Warfare System
Retrieved from "https://iiwiki.us/mediawiki/index.php?title=KF-20_Chamsuri&oldid=861352"