South Korea's Stealth Fighter Will Cost More Than The F-35

Eurasian Times: South Korea To Unveil Its Stealth Aircraft By 2021; Prices It Higher Than US’ F-35 Jets

South Korea’s new KF-X multirole stealth fighter has finally begun its assembly of the first prototype. The development of the twin-engine aircraft began in 2015 and it is expected to be unveiled in April 2021.

KF-X multirole jets will take its first flight in 2022. However, experts have pointed out that the cost of the fighter jet may go well beyond the cost of the American F-35.

The KF-X (Korean Fighter eXperimental) is expected to reach a top speed of about 1,400 mph (or about Mach 1.83), have a range of about 2,900 km, a maximum take-off weight of 25,580 kg, and be capable of carrying up to 7,700 kg of payload, according to Janes.

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) reported that the aircraft will be produced in both single- and tandem-seat variants, will feature three hardpoints under each wing for weapons and/or external fuel tanks and will also be capable of carrying four missiles under the fuselage.

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Update: South Korea's KF-X Stealth Aircraft Could Cost More Than an F-35 (National Interest)

WNU Editor: The fighter will not only cost more than the F-35, but it has been branded as a 4.5 generation fighter .... a definite step backward over the F-35.

South Korea’s Next-Generation Fighter Jet Is Rapidly Taking Shape

Warzone/The Drive: Photos Show South Korea’s Next-Generation Fighter Jet Rapidly Taking Shape

Production of the first of South Korea’s KF-X advanced fighter prototypes has advanced to an impressive degree.

Recently released photos and video show the initial prototype of the KF-X next-generation indigenous fighter — which is being built by Korea Aerospace Industries, or KAI, in Sacheon — starting to take shape. KAI is also receiving assistance from Lockheed Martin on the project, which has an estimated total value of $7.4 billion, and is aiming to roll out the completed prototype by April of next year.

So far, the bulk of the fuselage and the wings have been completed and major subassemblies are now in the process of being mated together on the production line. The fuselage seems to have been completed in three major components: forward fuselage including the cockpit, center fuselage ‘barrel’ with integral wings, and a tail unit, to which the flying surfaces have not yet been added.

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WNU Editor: It looks impressive. They still have a long way to go before having a functional fighter.

More News On South Korea’s Next-Generation Fighter Jet

Korea’s KF-X stealth fighter takes a big leap -- Asia Times
Behold South Korea’s Very Expensive Stealth Fighter -- Forbes
South Korea unveils the first prototype of new KF-X fighter jet -- Defence Blog
South Korea embarks on final assembly of KF-X prototype -- Flight Global