I guess so, why spend all those money on high tech R&D when the market for KFX is limited. Who else is going to buy and pay for the planes besides the Korean government.

http://www.asiafinest.com/forum/index.php?...t&p=3461518

It might be cancelled. There is no certainty on whether or not if the program will go t!t$ up because, if ROK decides to ditch the KF-X, then they won't be able to fill in the third phase of the F-X program with a fighter that matches their requirements for at least another decade, unless the F-22 is offered for export, which is next to impossible due to both U.S. Congress having a tight hold on this as well as the fact that it would be an economic disaster.

No, I don't think the program was canceled. It was prosponded for while since F-35/F-22 was the better option for S Korea.

what does Korean use for jet engines?

Kimchi juice.

You mean the actual engine?

I think it's Pratt&Whitney engines.

For KF-16s, Samsung AEROSPACE licensed version of F-100-P&W-229, or F-100-SSA-229 was used. For F-15K, F-110-GE-129 was choosen. Our T/A-50 trainer uses F404-GE-102 with after-burner. For potential candidate for the KFX, EJ-220 or F414 was considered. F414 still has potential for license production should KAI get the nod for FA-50 improvement or F-50 program.

Problem with the f-35 is that it does not meet all the necessary requirements and is considered mid-class.

There are rumors though that with foreign companies investing in the fx project it might be economically feasible, with a structure similar to the US's f-35 program.

I think Corea should continue the KFX. Corea is already a leading country in technology and we definitely have enough experience to make a Korean-like F-22 or F-35. To cover some costs, I think Corea should try to get at least one F-22 or F-35 and try to take them apart and study them and make them better than the American planes. While it may be hard, I think we can do it!

Try to understand that there are laws and regulations in place to SPECIFICALLY prevent such things from happening. That and of course that America may immediately put the rest of American arms in Korea in embargo, making practically our entire airforce scrap metal within few years. We can neither afford nor accept that. The rest of the world is just as good at protecting their technology.

And no, we have neither the technology, know-how or the funding to pursue a fighter program equal to that of F-22. Tell me one place that makes independently designed jet-engine in Korea and I'll shut up.

I don't like bashing on these topics as much as I do, but some people just needs to WAKE UP, and find a realistic approach or a solution. 'We can do it' attitude is good and all, but needs to find 1) why should we do it 2) how should we do it. I know why we should pursue the program, but how, I have no idea, and neither does most other people who's actually in the business it seems.

What could the Norks possibly put in the sky that would be much of a threat to upgraded 1980s-models aircraft?

I think we're past caring about North Korean air force. The primary concern is now ground-attack capability to demolish KPA field army and their hardened artillery positions, and the air force of surrounding nations.

The Norks are almost a joke for the South Corean military. Our air force is being developed NOT with the Norks in mind, but more like our neighbors China and Japan. Currently, we have probably the strongest air force in Asia. Our F-15Ks are way better than what the Chinese and Japanese can field (much better than their crap SU-30s and F-2s). At the rate Corean military modernization is going, we will without doubt, become the strongest military in Asia. Cheers to that!

I heard US quaranteed the old bird, F-15 cause they are starting fall apart in the sky.

Yes, that's because of older F-15s have structural and engine problems.
Rest of F-15E types are good.

Korea's F-15K is based on latest production of F-15E model.

Source: Boeing

The F-15K strike fighter is the newest variant of the combat-proven F-15E. Equipped with the latest technological upgrades, it is more lethal, survivable, and maintainable than its predecessor.

Flight and Weapon Systems

The F-15K is the only U.S.-produced fighter capable of long-range precision strike missions without escort, day or night, in any weather.

* Maximum gross takeoff weight and payload: 81,000 pounds and 23,000 pounds
* Maximum combat radius without refueling: over 1,000 nautical miles (1,800 km)
* Minimum altitude and maximum speed of terrain-following flight: 600 knots at 100 feet
* Power: two GE F110 turbofan engines (29,000 lb thrust class with afterburning)
* A mix of air-to-air weaponry: 20mm cannon; AIM-120, AIM-9, AIM-7, and AGM-130 missiles
* A mix of air-to-ground ordnance, including precision-guided munitions

Computer and Targeting Systems

The F-15K possesses advanced computer, display, protection, radar, and targeting systems:

* Avionics suite: Honeywell advanced display core processor (ADCP)
* Cockpit-display technologies: seven-color liquid-crystal displays, two upfront control panels (flat-panel), joint helmet-mounted cueing system (JHMCS), and wide-field-of-view head-up display
* On-board protection systems: Lockheed Martin ALR-56C(v)1 early warning receiver and Northrop Grumman ALQ-135M jammer
* Radar: Raytheon AN/APG-63(v)1 radar:
o Air-to-air and air-to-ground modes of APG-70 radar with additional sea-surface searching/tracking, ground-moving target tracking, and enhanced high-resolution ground mapping for long-distance target identification
o Improved reliability and maintainability
* Third-generation targeting and navigation systems: forward-looking infrared (FLIR) and infrared search and track (IRST)

Performance

The F-15 family has a combat record of 101 victories and zero losses, and the F-15E predecessor flew thousands of combat missions during Operation Desert Storm and in the Balkans.

Their 30 to 20 year old F-15A/B/C/D. Do I really have to tell you that F-15K, the oldest being just about 2 years off production line, will NOT be having the same problem?

Longeron problem that's plaguing the F-15A/B/C/D are not issue with F-15E and its variants, since longerons on F-15E and its variants have four times the strength than those on the older air superiority models.

Strongest air force Asia? first of all where is the F-15K produced and made in? it's one thing if you build it yourself with your own parts, technology, and production , another thing of just buying it.

Japan and china airforce is not crap. su-30s and f-2 aren't exactly crap either.