The Woongbi is a Korean single-engine turboprop, basic training aircraft.
The KT-1 is the first completely indigenous Korean aircraft ever developed.
The origins of the KT-1 can be found within the KTX programme, which had been launched during 1988 on behalf of the Republic of Korea Air Force (RKAF).
The programme, which sought to develop an indigenously designed trainer aircraft, was a joint effort between aircraft manufacturer Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) and government body Agency for Defence Development (ADD); the latter was responsible for overseeing the project, while the former performed the detailed design work as well as the majority of manufacturing activity.
Unusually, CATIA computer aided design (CAD) software was used to produce the design, being the first use of such techniques for an aircraft in its class.
A series of nine prototypes were constructed, the first being complete during June 1991.
During November 1991, the maiden flight of the KT-1 took place, after which the flight-testing programme formally commenced.
During 1995, the aircraft was officially named ‘Woongbi’.
In 1998, it was announced that the final test flight had been performed.
During the following year, an initial production contract was signed for eighty-five aircraft, with provisions for an additional twenty, between manufacturer Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and the RKAF.
The KT-1 can be equipped with either an analogue or ‘glass’ cockpit configuration.
Some variants feature additional avionics and systems, such as a night vision goggles (NVG)-compatible cockpit, head-up display (HUD), multi-function displays (MFD), GPS/inertial navigation system, mission computer, onboard oxygen generation system, a vapour-cycle environmental control system and hands-on-throttle-and-stick (HOTAS)-compatible controls.
Avionics are provided by various foreign companies, including Elbit, Flight Vision and Thales.
For light attack missions, the aircraft can carry various types of guns, bombs, rockets and missiles dependent upon customer requirements.
Other equipment can include external fuel tanks, a centrally mounted forward-looking infrared (FLIRA) sensor and a laser range finder.
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.
Compared to the KTX-1 prototype, 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 hard points may be equipped with rocket launchers, gun pods or AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.
KT-1B
Export version for Indonesia.
Main differences are in terms of avionics, some of which have been excluded or have had commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) alternatives used instead.
KT-1C
Improved, armed export version equipped with a centreline forward looking infrared pod.
The KT-1C can also be equipped with a 12.7 mm gun pod, chaffs, 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.
KA-1S
Armed export version for Senegal.
Specifications
Crew
2
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)
Aspect ratio
7
Airfoil
Root
NACA 63-218
Tip
NACA 63-212
Empty weight
1,910 kg (4,211 lb)
Gross weight
2,540 kg (5,600 lb)
Maximum fuel weight
408 kg (899 lb)
Max take-off weight
3,311 kg (7,300 lb) (and Maximum Landing Weight) with external stores
3,205 kg (7,066 lb) training/utility
2,540 kg (5,600 lb) aerobatic
Fuel capacity
551 l (146 US gal; 121 imp gal) in two wing tanks with provision for two 189 l (50 US gal; 42 imp gal) drop-tanks on the inboard pylons
