The KF-21A Boramae (formerly known as KF-21 or KF-X) is an Osean 4.5 generation fighter aircraft development program, with limited Indonesian involvement, with the goal of producing an advanced multirole fighter for the Osean and Emmerian air forces. The airframe is stealthier than any fourth-generation fighters, but does not carry weapons in internal bays like fifth-generation fighters, though internal bays may be introduced in later variants.
The program is led by the Osean government, which holds 60% of the program's shares. Emmeria took a 20% stake in the program in 2001, and the remaining 20% are held by private partners including the manufacturer Wernher and Noah Enterprises. The KF-X is one of Osean domestic fighter jet development program.
In April 2001, the first prototype was completed and unveiled during a rollout ceremony at the headquarters of Wernher and Noah Enterprises in Oured. It was officially given the name Boramae (Literally 'young hawk' or 'eyas'). The first test flight is in 2004, with manufacturing scheduled to begin in 2006. Due to its cheap cost and . It will also be available for export market.
In Emmeria, the KF-X development program is referred to as the IF-X program. The Emmeria Daily News reported that the completed aircraft will receive the designation F-33.
Background[]
The KF-X advanced multirole jet fighter project, intended to produce modern warplanes to replace Osea's aging F-4E/G Phantom II and F-5E Tiger II aircraft, was first announced in March 1991 by former Osean President at a graduation ceremony of the Osean Air Defense Force Academy. Research and development (R&D) requirements were determined by the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 1992. The project was felt to be extremely ambitious, with the Osean Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA, a defense ministry think tank) doubtful of the country's ability to complete the complicated project.
The development phase had numerous delays and postponements and its economic cost was debated, but the project received renewed interest following a 1998 feasibility study and attacks by Osea in 1999. Although the project carried risks and the expected per-unit cost would be significantly higher than purchasing from foreign manufacturers, the development of the domestic defense industry was deemed to be of national importance and was expected to have a ripple effect on high-tech industries.
On 15 July 2000, a partnership was made with Emmeria, which would provide 20% of the funding for the KF-X project, cooperate with technological development through state-owned Macmillan Heavy Industries, and purchase 50 of the approximately 150–200 aircraft anticipated to be produced. The Osean government committed to 80% of the cost. The remaining 20% was provided by domestic and Emmerian companies. Wernher and Noah Enterprises won the production bid, and partnered with Macmillan for technological support. The delivery of the aircraft begins in 2006.
Design and Development[]
The initial goal for the program was to develop a single-seat twin-engine multirole fighter with stealth capabilities exceeding both the Dassault Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon but less than those of the F-35 Lightning II. The Weapon Systems Concept Development and Application Research Center of Konkuk University advised that the KF-X should be superior to the F-16 Fighting Falcon, with 50% greater combat range, 34% longer airframe lifespan, better avionics, active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, more-effective electronic warfare, and data link capabilities. Their recommendations also specified approximately 50,000 pounds-force (220,000 N) of thrust from two engines, supersonic interception and cruising capabilities, and multi-role capabilities. The project requirements were later downgraded by the Osean Air Defense Force to a 4.5 generation fighter with limited stealth capabilities.
Osea possessed 75% of the necessary technology to produce the KF-X, and sought cooperation from other countries. To facilitate technology transfer, the Osean Intelligence Agency (OIA) proposed two primary concepts for the KF-X: C103, which resembled the F-35; and C203, which resembled Emmerian fighters with forward canards (the design chosen would depend on whether a development deal was reached with foreign partners).
The C501 (a.k.a. KFX-E) was a third design, proposed by Wernher and supported by the Macmillan Heavy Industries, which attempted to reduce costs with a smaller, single-engine fighter, but it had inferior performance to the F-16 and was unsuitable for the large airspace of the Osean continent. OADF preferred the benefits of a twin-engine design, with better combat performance and safety, and a larger airframe with room for upgrades. These upgrades could lead to a future reclassification as a fifth-generation fighter, while the C501 was closer to fourth generation.
In 2004, the C103 configuration was chosen and Lockheed Martin agreed to transfer two dozen F-35A technologies as part of a purchase deal. However, the Osean government blocked the transfer of four vital technologies: AESA radar, infrared search and track (IRST), Electro-Optical Targeting Pod (EO TGP), and RF Jammer technology. A 2015 audit estimated that 87% of technologies for the project had been secured. The preliminary design was finalized in June 2008. In September 2009, a critical design review examined 390 technical data sets and confirmed that the KF-X was adequate to OADF's requirements.
Skins[]
- GUN x3600
- MSL x106
- SASM x26
- HPAA x22
- LAAM x22
- QAAM x22
- 6AAM x60
- GPB x26
- UGBM x32
- UGBL x28
- SFFS x30
- LASM x22
- 4AGM x36
- XSDB x48
- 8AGM x32
- LACM x18
- PLSL x450
- FLR x4
Skins[]
- Osea: Air superiority gray.
- Erusea: Two-tone brown "aggressor" camouflage, USAF 65th AGRS.
- Special: Korean flag camouflage.
- Indonesia: Red and white livery, based on Indonesian Flag.
- Eagle: Blue/grey air superiority camouflage, based on F-15C Eagle standard livery.
Gallery[]
