Additional FA-50 for the Philippines Update – 10/22/19

Reports of additional FA-50 for the Philippines came up a year or so ago, but no updates have come up since then, until now. An Executive of the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) confirmed that they are currently in talks with the Philippines and other countries on the acquisition of additional FA-50 aircraft.

KAI said that the Philippines could potentially ask for another 12 aircraft, but is waiting for updates on the aircraft before making a decision. The updates include the integration of the Lockheed Martin Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP), Laser Guided Bomb (LGB) capability and the ability to carry 300-gallon Fuel Tanks on the wings (twice the current capacity).

As reported also earlier this month in other news reports, the integration of the ATP is expected to be completed by the end of 2020. On an additional note, it seems that the planned Air to Air Refueling Probe on the FA-50 is still a long ways off, KAI said it will only be ready by 2025.

As for the addition of an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar on the FA-50, KAI said that it will be a “complicated issue” and will depend on Customer Demand and some Export License issue also might occur.

SOURCE: KAI stays focused on FA-50 despite T-X setback

Like my page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/philippinedefensebulletin
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhilDefNews
Subscribe to me on Blogger: https://therhk111philippinedefenseupdates.blogspot.com
Visit me on Wordpress: https://rhk111smilitaryandarmspage.wordpress.com
Watch my Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPoTzGfu0iP9VPaQQ9EOjVQ/videos

Sniper ATP integration into the FA-50

As reported by the South Korean media earlier, Lockheed Martin (LM) is integrating their Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) to the FA-50. They aim to complete the integration by August 2020 and pass all certifications by the end of 2020.

Note that LM also helped develop the FA-50 of which the FA-50PH Fighting Eagle aircraft of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) is derived. The Sniper ATP has a Thermal Imager and Laser Rangefinder and Designator enabling it to do Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Target Designation.

Infographic courtesy of Lockheed Martin

SOURCE: Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod Marks Critical Milestone For FA-50 Integration

Check out my Links: https://linktr.ee/rhk111

FA-50 and KT-1 Updates – 09/14/19

Some updates about the FA-50 and KT-1 released by the South Korean news publication Segye Ilbo from last month (September 14, 2019):

* Some of the technology used in the T-50A aircraft proposed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) to the United States Air Force (USAF) will be used to improve the FA-50.