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FA-50

T-50 Golden Eagle
ROK Air Force TA-50(06-008) (4340109745).jpg
Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) TA-50 in 2010, in Republic of Singapore Air Force markings for Singapore Airshow 2010
Role Advanced trainer (T-50), Lead-in fighter trainer/Light combat aircraft (TA-50, FA-50)
Manufacturer Korea Aerospace Industries (with technical support from Lockheed Martin)
First flight 20 August 2002
Introduction 22 February 2005
Status In service
Primary users Republic of Korea Air Force
Indonesian Air Force
Philippine Air Force
Iraqi Air Force
Produced 2001–present
Number built 82
Unit cost
T-50: US$21 million (2008)
TA-50: US$25 million (2011)
FA-50: US$30 million (2012)

The KAI T-50 Golden Eagle (골든이글) is a family of South Korean supersonic advanced trainers and light combat aircraft, developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) with Lockheed Martin. The T-50 is South Korea's first indigenous supersonic aircraft and one of the world's few supersonic trainers. Development began in the late 1990s, and its maiden flight occurred in 2002. The aircraft entered active service with the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) in 2005.

The T-50 has been further developed into aerobatic and combat variants, namely T-50B, TA-50, and FA-50. The F-50 single-seat multirole fighter variant was considered. The T-50B serves with the South Korean air force's aerobatics team. The TA-50 light attack variant has been ordered by Indonesia. The Philippines ordered 12 units of the FA-50 variant. The T-50A is being marketed as a candidate for the United States Air Force's next-generation T-X trainer program. Thailand ordered 12 units of the T-50 advanced trainer variant.

The T-50 program was originally intended to develop an indigenous trainer aircraft capable of supersonic flight, to train and prepare pilots for the KF-16 and F-15K, replacing trainers such as T-38 and A-37 that were then in service with the ROKAF. Prior South Korean aircraft programs include the turboprop KT-1 basic trainer produced by Daewoo Aerospace (now part of KAI), and license-manufactured KF-16. In general, the T-50 series of aircraft closely resembles the KF-16 in configuration.


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