Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has presented the concept of the KF-21N, a naval version of its new KF-21 Boramae, for operations on aircraft carriers. The model was unveiled during a fair in South Korea, alongside another interesting aeronautical project.
The model was unveiled at DX Korea 22 in Goyang. Among the most striking features of the KF-21N are the reinforced landing gear and the folding wings, used on naval aircraft to increase the already limited space on the decks of aircraft carriers.
KAI representatives claim that the development of the naval KF-21 depends on the needs of the South Korean Navy. In February 2021, South Korea formalized its intention to build an aircraft carrier through the CVX project, which raised questions about the country's need to invest in such an expensive vessel.
KAI, KF-21'in uçak gemisi modeli olan KF-21N'yi tanıttı. Katlanır tipteki kanat yapısına ilaveten mancınık fırlatma sistemine uygun iniş takımı dikkat çekiyor. Tanıtım levhasında CATOBAR ve STOBAR piste uygun olduğu yazılı.https://t.co/rOTNRsqpcr pic.twitter.com/aJyLhM0P9S
ADVERTISING — Arda Mevlutoglu (@orko_8) September 21, 2022
The country would then have abandoned the idea of having an aircraft carrier. The Ministry of Defense delivered its budget proposal for fiscal year 2023 in early September, without any mention of the CLC project in the document.
Still, the presence of the KF-21N at the expo may indicate that the South Korean desire for an aircraft carrier may not have died completely.
According to KAI, the KF-21N will be 17 meters long, 5,2 meters high, and 12,3 meters wide. The payload is in the order of 7,6 tonnes, with a top speed of Mach 1.6. According to KAI, “The KF-21N would require 20% larger wings than the conventional KF-21 to ensure the safety and stabilization of the aircraft when taking off and landing on an aircraft carrier. The KF-21N would also require the development and integration of a catapult system and other structural changes.”
📸 Güney Koreli KAI, KF-21N avcı uçağının uçak gemisi tabanlı versiyonunu tanıttı.
📸 Savunma İşleri pic.twitter.com/NvyH8tcjwD— Savunma İşleri. (@savunmaisleri) September 21, 2022
The KF-21N shown at DX Korea features a configuration for a CATOBAR aircraft carrier, with catapult-assisted take-off. KAI, however, claims that a STOBAR (ramp takeoff) version is also among the options, although this method is known to limit the payload of aircraft.
The KF-21 Boramae (Falcon) is a 4.5 Generation fighter, developed by South Korea in the KF-X project. Despite having a similar design to stealth fighters (5th generation) like the F-22 and F-35, the KF-21 is not stealthy and carries its weapons externally. The aircraft has two F414-GE-400K engines, similar to those used on the JAS-39E Gripen and F/A-18 Super Hornet.
The first of six prototypes took flight for the first time in July. The plane is expected to enter production from 2026 to replace the South Korean Air Force's veteran F-4 Phantom II and F-5 Tiger II fighters.
With information Naval News, EurasianTimes.
