In October the South Korean Air Force accepted into service the first squadron of 20 locally made FA-50 fighter-bombers. These were ordered in 2012, cost $30 million each and are equipped with South Korean, American, and Israeli electronics. The first FA-50 was delivered in 2013 and the rest arrived by mid-2014. The single engine, single seat aircraft is intended to eventually replace South Korea's aging fleet of F-5 fighters. But the first FA-50 squadron will have to show what they can do in active service.
The FA-50 is the combat version of the South Korean designed and manufactured T-50 jet trainer. This aircraft began development after 2000 and all this cost of over two billion dollars. The first test flight of the T-50 took place in 2002. The 13 ton aircraft is actually a light fighter and can fly at supersonic speeds. With some added equipment (radars and fire control) the T-50 becomes the FA-50, a combat aircraft. This version carries a 20mm auto-cannon and up to 4.5 tons of smart bombs and missiles. The T-50 can stay in the air about four hours per sortie and has a service life of 8,000 hours in the air.
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