First Production Golden Eagle Unveiled

Released on Friday, September 02, 2005

Training systems for military aircraft pilots entered a new era on August 30, 2005, when Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) rolled out the first production version of the T-50 Golden Eagle advanced jet trainer.

The T-50 Golden Eagle advanced jet trainer program is rapidly transitioning from the Full Scale Development phase into the production phase. The aircraft was developed and is being marketed worldwide with the assistance of Lockheed Martin.

The T-50 provides the opportunity to enhance pilot training at lower overall costs due to reduced flying time in operational fighter qualifications. Other benefits include a robust integrated logistics support system with a worldwide support network.

KAI is the prime contractor for the T-50, and Lockheed Martin is the principal subcontractor assisting with development of the new high-performance trainer. The two companies are joint participants in international marketing of the T-50.

The supersonic T-50 will have the maneuverability, endurance and systems to prepare pilots to fly current advanced fighters such as the Lockheed Martin advanced F-16 and fifth generation fighters such as the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. These same characteristics give it an excellent capability as a lead in fighter and light combat aircraft in many air forces. The lead-in fighter trainer version of the Golden Eagle is designated as the A-50. Its main differences are the addition of an armament system and a fire control radar.

South Korea is currently ordering 50 T-50 and 44 A-50 aircraft, while an additional 200 A-50s could be ordered in the 2007 to 2012 timeframe to replace the country's aging F-5 fighters. KAI and Lockheed Martin see the potential for the sale of another 600 aircraft to other international customers.