By Kim Tae-gyu, Kang Seung-woo
The Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) said Thursday that it is in talks with Lockheed Martin for the transfer of in-flight refueling technology for the T-50 Golden Eagle.
KAI, which developed the supersonic trainer with the U.S. defense firm, said the move is aimed at winning a U.S. Air Force contract to replace the long-serving Northrop T-38C Talon with new trainers.
“To win the $10 billion U.S. Air Force deal, we need to meet its requirements for a next-generation trainer. That means that upgrades are necessary for the T-50,” a KAI official said.
“The most important of these is in-flight refueling. We are discussing the issue plus the sharing of the $10 million cost with Lockheed Martin.”
The U.S. Air Force released a set of requirements for its prospective jet trainer project, procurement of which will commence next year and finish in 2016.
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