KAI KT 1 Woongbi

Design and development

Development was initiated under the KTX program for the Republic of Korea Air Force in 1988 using the CATIA computer program to completely develop the aircraft, the first of its class. Nine prototypes were built on June 1991 with the first flight of the KT-1 occurring on November 1991 for static and fatigue testing. In 1995, the project was officially named 'Woongbi'. In 1998 the final test flight was performed. In 1999, a contract was signed for eighty-five aircraft with provisions for an additional twenty between Korea Aerospace Industries and the Republic of Korea. The first KT-1 Woongbi was handed over to the Republic of Korea Air Force in 2000 with the delivery of the eighty-five aircraft being completed in 2002.

The KT-1 can be equipped with either an analog or 'glass' cockpit configuration. Both types are employed by the Republic of Korea Air Force. In terms of appearance, the KT-1 is visually reminiscent of the Pilatus PC-9.

Operational history

KAI exported seven aircraft plus spare parts to Indonesia in April 2003 under a 60 million USD contract, and five more in May 2005. In a press release held in Sacheon, South Korea on March 8, 2006, KAI stated that it will export more than 150 improved versions of the KT-1 to various countries in Central America and Southeast Asia. The improved export version of the KT-1 will be called KT-1C.

As of June, 2007, South Korea and Turkey have successfully negotiated for a contract for exporting 40 (+15) KT-1, as well as modular armor technology of K2 Black Panther for Turkey's future indigenous MBT, to Turkey for KRW₩500,000,000,000 (approximately US$540,000,000).

On 6 November 2012, KAI and the Peruvian Air Force signed a contract for 20 KT-1Ps (ten KT and ten KA versions) including some offset and technology transfers for an approximate amount of US$208 million. KAI was to provide the first four aircraft by 2014 and the rest were to be assembled at SEMAN (maintenance air wing of the Peruvian Air Force).

On 15 March 2015, Indonesia's Jupiter Aerobatic Team, which flies the KAI KT-1, experienced a serious midair collision during a practice session for Malaysia's Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition. Initial reports stated that all four pilots survived the collision.

Variants

KTX-1 Yeo-myung

Prototype primary trainer each with a different engine fitted, six built. KTX-1 turboprop trainer in 1988, and the first prototype flew in 1991. The first two prototypes were powered by the 550-shp. Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-25A turboprop.

KT-1

KT-1 is the basic trainer of the ROKAF. The KT-1 is bigger, heavier, the tail surfaces are relocated and it has a more powerful P&W Canada PT6A-62.(950-shp)

KA-1

An armed advanced trainer with light-attack and forward air control capabilities. Several new features unique to the KA-1 are a head-up display and up-front control panel, MFD panels, and five hardpoints, two under each wing and one under the fuselage. The hardpoints may be equipped with rocket launchers, gun pods or AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.

KT-1B

Export version for Indonesia.

KT-1C

Improved, armed export version equipped with a centreline forward looking infrared pod. The KT-1C may also be equipped with a 12.7 mm gun pod, chaffes, flares, training missiles, rockets or unguided bombs.

KT-1T

Export version for Turkey.

KT-1P

Export version for Peru.

KA-1P

Armed export version for Peru.

Operators

 Indonesia

Indonesian Air Force received 17 KT-1Bs. A KT-1B was lost during training 24-Jun-2010 On 15 March 2015, two KT-1Bs collided in midair in Malaysia during a practice for the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition, four pilots ejected safely.

 Republic of Korea

Republic of Korea Air Force received 85 KT-1s and 20 KA-1s

 Peru

Peruvian Air Force received a total of 20 aircraft (10 KT-1P and 10 KA-1P). These aircraft are in service with Escuadrón Aéreo 512, based at Pisco. The Peruvian Air Force decided to call the KT-1P with the nickname Torito (little Bull) in honor to the aircraft used by Peruvian air force hero Jose Quiñones Gonzales that was the North American NA-50.

 Senegal

Senegalese Air Force - four on order.

 Turkey

Turkish Air Force 40 KT-1Ts

Specifications (KT-1)

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004

General characteristics

Crew: two in tandem

Length: 10.26 m (33 ft 8 in)

Wingspan: 10.59 m (34 ft 9 in)

Height: 3.68 m (12 ft 1 in)

Wing area: 16.01 m² (172.3 sq ft)

Empty weight: 1,910 kg (4,210 lb)

Loaded weight: 2,540 kg (5,600 lb)

Max. takeoff weight: 3,311 kg (7,300 lb)

Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-62, 950 hp (708 kW)

Performance

Maximum speed: 574 km/h (310 knots, 357 mph) (IAS)

Range: 1,333 km (720 nmi, 828 mi) at 7,620 m (25,000 ft), max internal fuel

Service ceiling: 11,580 m (38,000 ft)

Rate of climb: 16.2 m/s (3,180 ft/min)