Seoul
Air Show 2005, 5th biennial international aerospace and defense
exhibition, was
held at Seoul Airport in Seongnam, South Korea between Oct.18 and 23. With
the participation of 225 companies from 24 countries and recording 1.12
billion
on-site deals signed before closing, this year's exhibition was the
largest and most successful in its nine year history. Top on the agenda
was first two Boeing F-15Ks from first production batch disclosed to
public. Born out of F-X program to acquire next generation multi-role
fighter for ROKAF, F-15K was finalized after fierce competition with
Rafale, Typhoon and Su-35 and contract with Boeing for 40 F-15Ks was made
in 2002. Two F-15Ks straight from Boeing St. Louis facilities flew over
the Pacific via Hawaii and island of Guam, being refuelled 6 times by USAF
KC-10 tanker and landed at Seoul Airport with over 20 flight hours. Mighty
F-15Ks will reinforce ROKAF KF-16C, F-16C and F-4E fighters with
considerably longer combat radius and heavier, more advanced armaments
like JDAM, SLAM-ER, AMRAAM and AIM-9X.
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By
courtesy of Monthly Aerospace Korea |
Two
brand new aircraft developed and manufactured by local aerospace manufacturer
KAI (Korea Aerospace Industries) were center of public attention throughout
exhibition and flight demos. Highly polished KAI T-50 supersonic advanced
trainer and KT-1 basic trainer were surrounded by flashlights of media corps in
pavilion A. T-50 advanced trainer and lead-in-fighter had been co-developed by
KAI and Lockheed Martin to replace aging fleet of T-38s and T-59s (BAe Hawks) in
ROKAF. Featuring digital fly-by-wire for precision maneuver, variable camber
wing with strakes, HUD, MFD, HOTAS at speed of Mach 1.4, T-50 facilitates
pilots' rapid transfer to 4th and 5th generation fighters such as F-16 block 60
plus, Typhoon, Rafale, Gripen, F-22 and F-35. As current jet trainers from '50s
and '60s are approaching limit of service life, both KIA and Lockheed Martin
expect robust sales in international trainer market. UAE, Greece and a few other
Middle East countries showed interest in purchasing T-50s after Dubai Air Show
2005 where T-50 made its successful international debut. UAE was most
enthusiastic over the purchase of 40 to 60 T-50s as advanced trainer/lead-in-fighter
in near future. A-50 light attack fighter based on T-50 was evaluated by KAI and
will be in service with ROKAF for close air support with phase-out of old F-5Es.
ROKAF has operated indigenous KT-1s as basic trainer since 2000 and acquired
over a hundred KT-1s. A small number of KT-1s saw first export to Indonesia in
recent years. KO-1 forward airborne controller evolved from KT-1
can be armed with conventional weapons and has light strike and COIN
capability. A number of Latin
American and Southeast Asian nations are negotiating with KAI on sales of KT-1
and KO-1. Another luck favored KAI in the exhibition as Airbus S.A.S. nominated
KAI as co-developement partner of A350.
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By
courtesy of Boeing Korea |
By
courtesy of Defence Korea |
Behind
local manufacturers' area in pavilion A, huge 1:1 scale A380 cabin mockup
towered over Airbus booth. Cutaway passenger cabin open to visitors was a very
popular attraction in indoor hall. Endless lines of foreign exhibitor booths and
shells continued through hall E and major US, Canadian and Israeli companies
were ahead of others. The $1.9 billion E-X program to procure four airborne
surveillance aircraft for ROKAF stirred silent tension between US and Israeli
companies because Boeing and IAI became last contenders in last phase of E-X.
Boeing's E-737 with Northrop Grumman Mesa radar was proven AEW & C solution
adopted by Australian and Turkish air forces. Whereas Israeli's IAI-Elta
proposed compact and less costly
G-550 combining Gulfstream airframe and Elta Phalcon radar. Eurocopter,
Augusta-Westland and Bell-Textron put newest helicopter models on display with
KHP in mind. KHP is another big ticket local procurement program to replace
aging military helicopters with new generation machines. Raytheon proudly
displayed whole range of leading products, i.e., JSOW, Maverick, Paveway II,
AMRAAM, AIM-9X, HARM, Stinger, Hellfire, Javelin and up-to-date LANTIRN pod. In
last hall E, US Embassy Aerospace Executive Service (AES) and AMCHAM (American
Chamber of Commerce) Korea offered a resting area and small bar for corporate
staffs to have a break and relax out of crowded hall. Quite an American touch!
Many US and Korean aircraft were displayed out on runway. RAAF E-737
Wedgetail and Lockeed Martin F-35 full-size mockup were
most popular attractions in static display area. F-35 was the only 5th
generation fighter in the exhibition and many foreign and local visitors
gathered around F-35 out of curiosity and climbed ladder up to look into future
fighter's cockpit
Local
aerospace news and products dominated Seoul Air Show this year but
European and Russian presence was minor compared to past exhibitions.
Daily flight demo was a big part of Seoul Air Show as in the past. Unfortunately
I could not see much of flights due to bad weather. I especially missed flights
of ROKAF Black Eagles Cessna A-37Bs, T-50 and USAF U-2S. Though I happened to be
lucky enough to watch the FAA world Grand Prix champion and Sukhoi test
pilot Jurgis Kairys' splendid aerobatic in his Su-31. Once I spotted a little
Su-31 in distant runway, Su-31 in Jurgis' unique silver and white scheme quickly
sprang into air after an extremely short take-off run and presented us with
exquisite and delightful maneuvers for 15 minutes. While on the venue on 20th
and 21st, I thoroughly enjoyed everything and so did many visitors as astounding
200,000 public visitors came to the venue during the 6 days. I definately will
be back in 2007 and look forward to F-22 and Typhoon.
Special
thanks to Korea Aerospace Industries, Boeing Korea, Monthly Aerospace Korea,
Defence Korea and http://bemil.chosun.com for
permission to use excellent photos in my article. Pictures are protected by
copyrights.
Links
to local sources are below.
Jay
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