South Korea's KF-21 Boramae Up Close

Graham Warwick April 14, 2021
Credit: DAPA

The KF-21 is a 4.5-generation fighter, with features that reduce radar cross-section such as fuselage shaping, canted tails and edge alignment, but it lacks internal weapons bays and is not designed to be low observable as is the F-35.

Credit: DAPA

At 25,400 kg (56,000 lb.) maximum takeoff weight, the KF-21 is sized between the F-16C and F-35A. It will replace the McDonnell Douglas F-4E and Northrop F-5E/F in Republic of Korea Air Force service. Korea plans to buy 120 KF-21s, and Indonesia plans to buy 50.

Credit: DAPA

The KF-21 has an active electronically scanned array radar developed by Hanwa Systems with assistance from Israel’s Elta Systems. Israel’s Elbit Systems is supplying the terrain-following/terrain-avoidance system to Hanwha, which is also developing the nose-mounted infrared search and track sensor, based on Leonardo’s SkyWard system, as well as the KF-21’s electro-optical targeting pod.

Credit: DAPA

The KF-21’s two General Electric F414-400K engines, each producing 22,000 lb. of afterburning thrust, will be assembled and supported locally by Hanwha Techwin. The engines have conventional axisymmetric nozzles, with no visible low-observable treatment.

Credit: DAPA

South Korea’s LIG Nex1 is developing the KF-21’s integrated electronic-warfare suite, which includes radar warning, jamming and chaff/flare systems. LIG Nex1 is also developing the digital flight control computer, stores management computer and embedded training unit as well as the low-profile heads up display, which uses BAE Systems’ waveguide-optics technology.

Credit: DAPA

The KF-21 will carry its weapons externally: MBDA Meteor beyond-visual-range and Diehl IRIS-T within-visual-range air-to-air missiles on the Block 1 version. The Block 2 variant is to carry precision-guided munitions and a planned domestically developed standoff cruise missile.

Credit: U.S. Air Force

Lockheed Martin provided early design assistance to KAI, and the KF-21 shares a resemblance to the F-22. Where the later F-35 has more-stealthy diverterless supersonic inlets, the KF-21 has F-22-style caret inlets with boundary-layer diverters.

Korea Aerospace Industries rolled out the KF-21 Boramae, previously called the KF-X, on April 9 in Sacheon, South Korea. First flight is planned for the second quarter of 2022. The Block 1 air-superiority version is scheduled to enter service in 2026, to be followed in 2029 by the Block 2 multirole variant.

Graham Warwick

Graham leads Aviation Week's coverage of technology, focusing on engineering and technology across the aerospace industry, with a special focus on identifying technologies of strategic importance to aviation, aerospace and defense.

Comments

3 Comments
gwroble
Wed, 04/14/2021 - 12:47
What is the purpose of designing a reduced radar profile aircraft that lacks an internal weapons bay? To complete its mission the KF-21 will have to carry external munitions which will enhance its radar return. This seems like paying for stealth which will be immediately compromised.
charlie_c
Wed, 04/14/2021 - 12:55
Looks like a low budget F22.
kenmacleod
Wed, 04/14/2021 - 15:16
KAI has stated they plan to add an internal weapons bay in the future, and they have protected that potential location. They expect this fighter has good bones, and will be the basis for decades of improvements and updates.

License-built units on the St Louis production line will probably have internal bays from the beginning.

OK, that was way speculative. But the KF-21 is a rather natural replacement for the F/A-18 series, with greater growth potential, right?