Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) has passed another important milestone in the next-generation fighter project, called KF-21 Boramae. The third prototype completed its first flight on January 5, 2023. According to the Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) of the country, the weight and some characteristics of the platform are almost similar to the serial production model. The company is planning to produce another test aircraft as well.
Korea is planning 2,000 flights with prototypes. These include qualification and certification efforts. The program costs around USD 6.9 billion, and Boramae is expected to replace the F-4E Phantom and other aircraft at the end of their sustainable life.
Although reduced radar cross section fuselage of the platform, there are no internal weapon stations. Because of this reason, KF-21 is classified as 4.5 generation aircraft. Korea is expecting fifth generation fighter jet in the next phase.
Real weight is essential for aerodynamic and flight characteristics trials. The performance and aerodynamic capabilities of all kinds of aircraft are directly dependent on weight. In these terms, Korea can conduct full-scale flight characteristics tests from the third Boramae prototype.
