(Source: Korea Aerospace Industries; issued Mar. 22, 2004, Link unavailable as was initially an internal email)
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Lockheed Martin have invited Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to test fly their new T-50 advanced trainer later this year.
Industry sources say Israel and the UAE, two of several countries being targeted as possible export launch customers, are the first to be offered an opportunity to fly the T-50. The South Korean air force is now test flying four prototype aircraft and has been asked by KAI to host demonstration flights later this year.
Sources say Israel has expressed interest in testing the aircraft, but has yet to reply formally to its invitation. The UAE has not yet given any indication whether it will test fly the aircraft.
Israel is looking to acquire 20-30 advanced trainers from 2010. KAI is offering a power-by-the-hour arrangement, but so far has held only preliminary discussions with the Israel air force.
The UAE is still developing a requirement for advanced trainers. KAI and Lockheed Martin unveiled a new export variant dubbed the T-50U for the UAE at the Dubai air show in December, but an acquisition is not expected until at least 2005.
With a 2010 in-service requirement, Israel also does not have to make a selection until 2007. Other contenders in both competitions include the Aermarcchi M346, Aero Vodochody L-159, BAE Systems Hawk and EADS Mako.
South Korea will take delivery of its first T-50 in the third quarter of 2005. The first export slot is available in late 2006, but given the requirement of Israel, the UAE and other potential operators such an early delivery is unlikely.
So far only South Korea has purchased the aircraft. KAI is hoping the initial production contract, signed in December for 25 aircraft, will increase interest from export operators. “We have a lot of interest, much more than last year,†says KAI. ‘
“There’s a market for at least 800 trainer aircraft over the next 20 years.†The joint KAI/Lockheed Martin marketing team estimates a domestic market for up to 300 aircraft in South Korea.
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Lockheed Martin have invited Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to test fly their new T-50 advanced trainer later this year.
Industry sources say Israel and the UAE, two of several countries being targeted as possible export launch customers, are the first to be offered an opportunity to fly the T-50. The South Korean air force is now test flying four prototype aircraft and has been asked by KAI to host demonstration flights later this year.
Sources say Israel has expressed interest in testing the aircraft, but has yet to reply formally to its invitation. The UAE has not yet given any indication whether it will test fly the aircraft.
Israel is looking to acquire 20-30 advanced trainers from 2010. KAI is offering a power-by-the-hour arrangement, but so far has held only preliminary discussions with the Israel air force.
The UAE is still developing a requirement for advanced trainers. KAI and Lockheed Martin unveiled a new export variant dubbed the T-50U for the UAE at the Dubai air show in December, but an acquisition is not expected until at least 2005.
With a 2010 in-service requirement, Israel also does not have to make a selection until 2007. Other contenders in both competitions include the Aermarcchi M346, Aero Vodochody L-159, BAE Systems Hawk and EADS Mako.
South Korea will take delivery of its first T-50 in the third quarter of 2005. The first export slot is available in late 2006, but given the requirement of Israel, the UAE and other potential operators such an early delivery is unlikely.
So far only South Korea has purchased the aircraft. KAI is hoping the initial production contract, signed in December for 25 aircraft, will increase interest from export operators. “We have a lot of interest, much more than last year,†says KAI. ‘
“There’s a market for at least 800 trainer aircraft over the next 20 years.†The joint KAI/Lockheed Martin marketing team estimates a domestic market for up to 300 aircraft in South Korea.
