Role Basic trainer and light attack aircraft
National origin South Korea
Manufacturer Korea Aerospace Industries
First flight November 1991
Introduction 2000
Status In service
Primary users Republic of Korea Air Force
Indonesian Air Force
Turkish Air Force
Peruvian Air Force
Produced 1999–present
The origins of the KT-1 can be found within the KTX programme, which had been launched during 1988 on behalf of the Republic of Korea Air Force (RKAF). The programme, which sought to develop an indigenously designed trainer aircraft, was a joint effort between aircraft manufacturer Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and government body Agency for Defence Development (ADD); the latter was responsible for overseeing the project, while the former performed the detailed design work as well as the majority of manufacturing activity. CATIA computer aided design (CAD) software was used to produce the design
The KT-1 can be equipped with either an analog or 'glass' cockpit configuration. Some variants feature additional avionics and systems, such as a night vision goggles (NVG)-compatible cockpit, head-up display (HUD), multi-function displays (MFD), GPS/inertial navigation system, mission computer, onboard oxygen generation system, a vapour-cycle environmental control system and hands-on-throttle-and-stick (HOTAS)-compatible controls. Avionics are provided by various foreign companies, including Elbit, Flight Vision and Thales.
For light attack missions, the aircraft can carry various types of guns, bombs, rockets and missiles dependent upon customer requirements. Other equipment can include external fuel tanks, a centrally mounted forward-looking infrared (FLIRA) sensor and a laser range finderCeiling
Range
Aircraft Speed
Max Crew
During April 2015, it was announced that Turkey would procure a further 15 KT-1Ts as a stop-gap measure until development of its indigenous TAI Hürkuş trainer aircraft could be completed.
Furthermore, the project would deliver a capable fighter jet that would complement the French Rafale fighters, bolstering the country’s security.
With the emergence of near-peer adversaries and the ever-increasing cost of tactical aircraft acquisition costs, Read more
