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 Korea Aerospace Industries and Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company began static loads testing on the T-50 Golden Eagle advanced jet trainer in January. The testing is an essential step on the path to first flight later this year. Test results will be used to certify the flight worthiness of the aircraft and to validate the aircraft structural computer model used in the design of the airframe. The supersonic T-50 will have the maneuverability, endurance, and systems to prepare future pilots to fly current and next-generation fighters, such as advanced F-16s, the F-22, and the JSF. These same characteristics give the T-50 an excellent capability as a fighter lead-in trainer and light-combat aircraft in many air forces.
“We are very pleased with the progress of the T-50 development thus far, and we are continuing our program tradition of meeting program milestones,” said M.K. Chang, senior vice president of KAI and T-50 program director. “We completed the first aircraft 100 days ahead of schedule last fall and recently completed the ground vibration testing and structural coupling testing.”
The lead-in fighter trainer/light-combat version of the Golden Eagle is designated the A-50. The main differences are the addition of an armament system and a fire control radar. The T-50 structure has been designed to accommodate the loads requirements of the A-50, including combat maneuvers with stores.
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