Hanwha is displaying an engine concept for the KF-21 on its stand at Farnborough Airshow.
FARNBOROUGH—The South Korean government is expected to decide the direction of an indigenous engine program for the KF-21 fighter aircraft by the end of November to help shape the development’s future path.
Among the principal issues that Seoul will need to decide on is whether the project will be an entirely domestic program or if it should bring in a seasoned Western engine-maker as a co-development partner, says Won-Wook Kim, head of advanced engine development at Hanwha Aerospace.
If the government opts for the entirely indigenous option, development will likely take more than 10 years. With a partner, it could come in sooner than that, Kim says. “We are ready to go either way.”
Hanwha would run the competition for an engine partner, Kim says. The co-development effort would likely see South Korean industry have a majority stake in the project and the foreign partner holding the rest.
South Korea’s aerospace and defense industry has become increasingly ambitious after notching a number of successes. The indigenous fighter engine project represents one of the most ambitious efforts yet, given the technology’s complexity.
Speaking at the Farnborough Airshow, Kim says talks with potential partners, which he declined to name, are already underway to help avoid delays. The potential partners are likely to include GE Aerospace, which makes the F414 currently powering the KF-21, as well as Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce and Safran.
The engine being designed for what is being considered the KF-21 Block 3 will likely be in the 15,000-18,000-lb. thrust class. The company will have to live within the design constraints of the KF-21, restricting the ability to increase fan size to boost efficiency. Designers are considering shrinking the hub to gain better airflow and boost specific fuel consumption, Kim indicates.
Under current plans, the engine development would start in 2026. The first engine to test could come five to six years later, depending on the development path.
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