South Korea's KF-21 Boramae Up Close

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.