KF-21 fighter performs maiden flight in South Korea
The KF-21 Boramae can be seen here soaring into the sky on its 33-minute flight. (Photo: ROKAF)
South Korea's most expensive defence project ever achieved a milestone when the KF-21 fighter took to the air for the first time in July.
The KF-21 Boramae fighter from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) achieved its maiden flight from Sacheon, home of the 3rd Flying Training Wing of the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF), on 19 July.
The KF-21’s maiden flight, with a ROKAF major from the 52nd Test and Evaluation Squadron at the controls, lasted precisely 33 minutes. The 4.5-generation fighter achieved a maximum speed of 215kt in its first low-speed foray into the air.
A video of the event showed the pilot wearing a JHMCS II helmet produced by Elbit Systems. Two T-50 aircraft served as chase planes during the flight.
This
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![Trump’s drone directives win US industry support but questions remain over ability to challenge Chinese market dominance]()
Trump’s drone directives win US industry support but questions remain over ability to challenge Chinese market dominance
New presidential directives for UAV production are intended to remove bureaucratic barriers and support suppliers.
-
![Enhancing education: How CAE is embracing new technology to boost military training]()
Enhancing education: How CAE is embracing new technology to boost military training
In Conversation... Shephard's Gerrard Cowan talks to CAE's Marc-Olivier Sabourin about how the training and simulation industry can help militaries achieve essential levels of readiness by leveraging new technology, innovative procurement methods and a truly collaborative approach.
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: New capabilities, partnerships and next-gen programmes remain priority for industry]()
Paris Air Show 2025: New capabilities, partnerships and next-gen programmes remain priority for industry
As European countries increase their defence budgets, the Paris Air Show will look to how the aerospace industry’s responds, with programme progression, new technology and industrial partnerships all expected to take centre stage at Le Bourget.
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: Airbus Helicopters unveils new crewed-uncrewed teaming solution]()
Paris Air Show 2025: Airbus Helicopters unveils new crewed-uncrewed teaming solution
The solution, named HTeaming, has already been tested in flight with a Spanish Navy H135 helicopter and an Airbus Flexrotor uncrewed aerial system (UAS).
