KAI FA-50 Fighting Eagle

The light combat aircraft built from an advanced trainer platform.

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RoKAF FA 50 Golden Eagle – © 대한민국 국군 Republic of Korea Armed Forces

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Overview

Korea Aerospace Industries Korea, South ICAO: FA50 2011–Present Active $30 million (2012)

The KAI FA-50 Fighting Eagle is a light combat variant of the T-50 Golden Eagle. Introduced in the 2010s, it provides air defense and strike capability. The aircraft combines training heritage with operational flexibility.

Live Fleet Activity (FA50)

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Specifications

Units
Engine
1 × Eurojet EJ200 or General Electric F414
Engine type
Turbofan
Thrust
22,000 lbf · 98 kN
Avionics
Israeli EL/M-2032 pulse-Doppler radar
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
2
Crew
—
Cabin width
—
Cabin height
—
Cabin length
—
Exterior length
43 ft 1 in  ·  13.14 m
Tail height
16 ft 2 in  ·  4.94 m
Fuselage diameter
3 ft 3 in  ·  1.00 m
Wing span
31 ft 0 in  ·  9.45 m
Baggage volume
—
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
27,100 lb  ·  12,300 kg
Max landing weight
22,400 lb  ·  10,200 kg
Max payload
12,900 lb  ·  5,850 kg
Fuel capacity
790 gal · 3,000 L · 2,400 kg (Jet A)
Max cruise speed
992 kt  ·  1,142 mph  ·  1,837 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
130 kt  ·  150 mph  ·  241 km/h
Range
1,000 nm  ·  1,150 mi  ·  1,850 km
Fuel burn
—
Ceiling
48,000 ft  ·  14,600 m
Rate of climb
36,000 ft/min  ·  183 m/s
Takeoff distance
—
Landing distance
—
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FA 50 Fighting Eagle

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Operational Context

KAI FA-50 Fighting Eagle — light combat aircraft

The FA-50 first flew in 2011 and entered service in 2013. Derived from the T-50 trainer, it incorporates radar and weapons systems for combat roles. The aircraft retains a swept wing and single-engine configuration optimized for performance.

Powered by a General Electric F404 turbofan engine producing approximately 17,700 pounds of thrust (78.7 kN) with afterburner, the FA-50 exceeds Mach 1.5. Maximum takeoff weight exceeds 27,000 pounds (12,247 kg). The aircraft carries air-to-air missiles and precision-guided munitions.

The FA-50 has been exported to several air forces seeking affordable multirole capability. It provides a balance between advanced trainers and full-scale fighters. Production continues for both domestic and export customers.