FARNBOROUGH, England, July 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Just 24 months
after receiving the low-rate initial production contract, Korea Aerospace
Industries (KAI) delivered its first T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic trainers
to the Republic of Korea Air Force. Today, this supersonic aircraft
continues as the most cost-effective training solution available for air
forces worldwide.
The success of this development program was highlighted by KAI and team
partner Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) during a briefing to the press at the
2006 Farnborough International Air Show here today.
"As the world's only high performance supersonic trainer in production,
the T-50 has the unique capability of allowing new fighter pilots the
ability to smoothly transition into advanced aircraft such as the F-16 and
5TH Generation F-35 Joint Strike," said Dr. Alex Jun, vice president of
marketing for KAI. "The T-50 integrated training system provides pilots
with the best training solution available. It incorporates a high
performance supersonic fast jet trainer, a modern ground-based training
system, and a fully integrated logistics support package -- all designed to
provide the most efficient training environment at lowest life cycle cost."
Last month, program officials announced the opening of a new marketing
office in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. This facility gives KAI greater
proximity to potential customers in the Middle East and Europe and allows
the Korean-based company an opportunity to grow its business-base.
"The T-50 program's transition from a flight testing program to
production and delivery in less than two years is quite phenomenal," said
JR Wildridge, Lockheed Martin's T-50 international marketing director. "The
ability to deliver the aircraft to the customer in such a short period
clearly illustrates the well thought out design of this aircraft."
The supersonic T-50, with its maneuverability, endurance and systems
integration, provides excellent capability as a lead-in fighter trainer
(LIFT). The main differences from the fast jet trainer are the addition of
armament and an all-weather, day and night multimode fire control radar.
Plans are currently in development for a light combat variant for air
forces worldwide.
Operational pilots who received the T-50 after acceptance flights at
KAI's Sacheon, South Korea, production facility noted that the
technological advances and capabilities of the trainer exceeded their
expectations. Company officials also expressed pride in the delivery of the
advanced aircraft to schedule.
"Several experienced pilots have flown the T-50. Each time a new pilot
flies the T-50 they all seem to have the same comments about the Golden
Eagle's high performance, excellent handling qualities and modern cockpit
and avionics. The T-50's capabilities provide flexibility like no other
trainer aircraft on the international market," Wildridge added.
Currently, the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) is using the T-50s
delivered last year for instructor pilot training. Plans are to deliver a
total of eight T-50s to the ROKAF in 2006 and one per month afterwards. To
date five aircraft have been delivered to the ROKAF, all on schedule.
KAI and Lockheed Martin agree that both the advanced jet trainer and
LIFT versions will enable student pilots to progress from primary trainers
to high- performance, modern operational fighters in a very cost-effective
manner, providing an ideal solution for the training needs of many air
forces around the world.
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.
Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. is the Republic of Korea's national
aerospace company, established in 1999 with the consolidation of Samsung
Aerospace, Daewoo Heavy Industries and Hyundai Space and Aircraft Co. KAI
lines of business include fixed-wing aircraft, helicopter aircraft and
satellites. Its major products are the KF-16, KT-1 basic trainer, T-50,
SB427 helicopter, UAVs, aerostructures and KOMPSAT satellite program.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin Corp. employs about
135,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research,
design, development, manufacture integration and sustainment of advanced
technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2005
sales of $37.2 billion.
For additional information, visit the following websites:
http://www.lockheedmartin.com
http://www.koreaaero.com
SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
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