KAI T-50 Golden Eagle
The KAI T-50 Golden Eagle is a supersonic advanced trainer and light combat aircraft developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in collaboration with Lockheed Martin. First flown in 2002 and introduced in 2005, the T-50 is designed for pilot training, light attack, and reconnaissance missions. It is South Korea’s first domestically developed supersonic aircraft and has been exported to several countries.
Fact Sheet
| Role | Advanced trainer and light combat aircraft |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) |
| First Flight | 2002 |
| Service Entry | 2005 |
| Crew | 2 (pilot and instructor) |
Specifications
| Length | 13.14 m (43 ft 1 in) |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 9.45 m (31 ft) |
| Height | 4.94 m (16 ft 2 in) |
| Empty Weight | 6,470 kg (14,270 lb) |
| Max Takeoff Weight | 12,300 kg (27,120 lb) |
| Powerplant | 1 × General Electric F404-GE-102 turbofan |
| Thrust | 17,700 lbf (78.7 kN) with afterburner |
| Max Speed | Mach 1.5 (1,837 km/h; 1,142 mph) |
| Service Ceiling | 14,630 m (48,000 ft) |
| Range | 1,150 mi (1,850 km) ferry range |
| Rate of Climb | ~39,370 ft/min (200 m/s) |
Avionics & Armament
| Main Radar | EL/M-2032 radar (optional for combat variants) |
|---|---|
| Avionics | Advanced avionics suite, glass cockpit |
| Armament | One 20-mm M61 Vulcan rotary cannon; Up to 7 external hardpoints for: – Air-to-air missiles (AIM-9 Sidewinder) – Air-to-ground munitions (bombs, rockets) – Precision-guided bombs – External fuel tanks |
Notable Features
- Supersonic capability for advanced pilot training.
- Multirole design for training, light attack, and reconnaissance missions.
- Advanced avionics for simulating modern combat scenarios.
- Export success with operators including Indonesia, Iraq, and the Philippines.
- Continuously upgraded with variants like the FA-50 for combat roles.
KAI T-50 Golden Eagle: South Korea’s Supersonic Trainer & Light Fighter
The KAI T-50 Golden Eagle (Korean: 골든이글) is a family of supersonic advanced jet trainers and light combat aircraft developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) with significant technical assistance from Lockheed Martin. It is South Korea’s first indigenous supersonic aircraft and one of the world’s few supersonic trainers, designed to prepare pilots for advanced 4th and 5th generation fighter jets.
T-50 Development & Program History
The T-50 program, initially codenamed KTX-2, began in the late 1990s (around 1992, with formal designation in 2000) with the goal of replacing the Republic of Korea Air Force’s (ROKAF) aging trainers like the T-38 and A-37. Lockheed Martin played a crucial role, assisting with avionics and the fly-by-wire (FBW) flight control system. The first T-50 prototype made its maiden flight in August 2002, and the aircraft entered active service with the ROKAF in 2005.
T-50 Design Features: Supersonic Performance & Advanced Cockpit
The T-50 Golden Eagle features a sleek, aerodynamic design with a tandem-seat cockpit for two pilots, offering excellent visibility. It is designed for high performance and supersonic flight.
- Single Engine Powerplant: The T-50 is powered by a single General Electric F404-GE-102 afterburning turbofan engine, license-produced by Samsung Techwin. This engine delivers approximately 78.7 kN (17,700 lbf) of thrust with afterburner, enabling a maximum speed of Mach 1.5 (around 1,837 km/h or 1,141 mph).
- High Performance Metrics: The aircraft boasts a rapid rate of climb (39,000 ft/min) and can reach 30,000 ft in less than two minutes. Its airframe is designed for an 8,000-hour service life.
- Digital Fly-by-Wire (FBW) Controls: It is the first trainer to feature a triple-redundant digital fly-by-wire system with Hands-On Throttle-And-Stick (HOTAS) controls for precision and care-free maneuvering.
- Modern Avionics Suite: The cockpit features a wide field-of-view HUD and color Multi-Function Displays (MFDs). It includes a Honeywell H-764G embedded GPS/Inertial Navigation System (INS) and an HG9550 radar altimeter.
T-50 Variants: Trainer, Attack & Fighter Designations
The T-50 family has evolved into several specialized variants beyond the basic trainer:
- T-50 Golden Eagle: The baseline advanced jet trainer for the ROKAF.
- T-50B: A specialized version for the ROKAF’s Black Eagles aerobatic display team.
- TA-50 Lead-in Fighter Trainer (LIFT): This variant is designed for lead-in fighter training and light attack roles. It incorporates a fire control radar (Elta EL/M-2032), an internal 20mm cannon, and combat avionics, allowing it to carry air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles.
- FA-50 Fighting Eagle: The most advanced light combat aircraft (LCA) variant. It features more internal fuel capacity, enhanced avionics, a longer radome, and a tactical datalink. The FA-50 is equipped with a modified Elta EL/M-2032 pulse-Doppler radar (with Korean modifications by LIG Nex1, offering a greater range than the TA-50’s radar). It can carry a wider range of precision-guided munitions (PGMs) and advanced missiles.
- FA-50 Block 10/20: These are upgraded versions, with the Block 20 (for export) including capabilities such as AESA radar (e.g., RTX PhantomStrike or LIG Nex1 ESR-500A), aerial refueling probe, and integration of advanced weapons like AIM-120 AMRAAM, MBDA Brimstone, SPEAR 3, and JSM (Joint Strike Missile).
T-50 Operators & Global Presence
The KAI T-50 family has achieved significant export success, operating with several air forces worldwide:
- South Korea (Republic of Korea Air Force – ROKAF): The primary operator, using T-50s for advanced pilot training, TA-50s for LIFT and light attack, and FA-50s for light combat duties.
- Indonesia (Indonesian Air Force): Operates the TA-50 LIFT variant.
- Iraq (Iraqi Air Force): Operates the T-50IQ, a training variant.
- Philippines (Philippine Air Force): Operates the FA-50PH light combat aircraft. The Philippines recently signed a $700 million contract in June 2025 for 12 new FA-50PH Block 20 jets, increasing their total fleet to 23.
- Thailand (Royal Thai Air Force): Operates the T-50TH, a variant of the T-50.
- Malaysia (Royal Malaysian Air Force): Ordered 18 FA-50 Block 20 aircraft in 2023.
- Poland (Polish Air Force): A major recent customer, ordering 48 FA-50 aircraft in 2022. The first FA-50GF (Gap Filler) aircraft have been delivered, with subsequent FA-50PL variants tailored to Polish specifications. As of July 2025, Poland is integrating AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles onto its FA-50GFs for immediate air defense capabilities, though the full FA-50PL operational capability is delayed to beyond 2028.
T-50 Operational History & Combat Service
The KAI T-50 Golden Eagle family has seen active operational use, though primarily in training and light attack roles:
- Philippine Air Force: FA-50PHs saw combat for the first time in 2017 during operations against Islamic fundamentalist groups on the island of Mindanao, conducting ground-attack missions.
- Iraqi Air Force: T-50IQ aircraft have been used in combat operations against ISIS.
- ROKAF & Other Operators: T-50 variants are extensively used for advanced jet pilot training, lead-in fighter training, and air policing missions.
The KAI T-50 Golden Eagle family continues to be a highly competitive offering in the global market for advanced jet trainers and light combat aircraft, balancing high performance with cost-effectiveness and adaptability for various mission profiles.
