South Korea Takes Delivery of Final T-50 Training Jet

The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has taken delivery of the 50th and final advanced T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic training jet from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI).

Each $25m single-engine aircraft has a speed of up to Mach 1.5, and features digital flight controls and a modern ground-based training system.

Its training system will enable a smooth transition to advanced fighters such the F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II and the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

The ROKAF has ordered 82 T-50 variants including 50 advanced jet trainers, 22 TA-50 light armed aircraft and ten other T-50Bs modified for aerobatic performances, according to the Korea Times.

The T-50, jointly developed by Lockheed Martin and KAI, saw its first delivery to the ROKAF in December 2005.