"Your dreams will come true. Happy challenge, successful takeoff of the KF-21."
On September 15, at the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) production facility in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province, a large sign in the KF-21 assembly area caught the eye. Below it, workers were busy preparing for the delivery of the first mass-produced aircraft this month.
The production line featured KF-21 jets in various stages, from those with exposed interiors to nearly completed models. Workers were connecting internal piping and installing various equipment on each aircraft. As the jets progressed through assembly, internal work, and painting, they increasingly resembled the familiar KF-21 design.
The fourth mass-produced unit was positioned at the front of the line, with most of the major equipment already installed and final piping connections underway. KAI's Sacheon facility has begun production on the 23rd unit out of an initial contract for 40 aircraft.
The simultaneous production of the KF-21 and FA-50 also drew attention. While they may appear similar at first glance, the differences became clear as they neared completion. Unlike the single-engine FA-50, the KF-21 features two engines side by side at the rear. KAI can produce about two KF-21s per month, with the capacity to increase to three if needed.
As I passed through the final assembly area and entered the hangar, the first mass-produced unit, set for delivery to the Air Force this month, came into view. Red tags reading 'REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT' were attached to various parts of the fully assembled aircraft. The first mass-produced unit will be delivered to the Air Force after undergoing acceptance tests through actual flights.
For the workers who have been involved in the KF-21 project since the prototype stage, the first mass-produced unit holds special significance. Ahm Hyun-jae, a team leader in KAI's fixed-wing final assembly technology, said, "I shed tears when the prototype first flew. At that moment, I felt that our hard work was finally paying off, but with the first mass-produced unit, it feels like the real journey is just beginning."
From Fighter Jets to Helicopters: Busy Production of LAH
As I left the fighter jet production line and headed toward the rotary-wing section, the scene changed dramatically. Instead of sleek fighter jets, the production line was filled with small armed helicopters (LAH) equipped with large rotors. Several aircraft, from those already taking shape to others with exposed interiors, were lined up at various stages of production.
On one side, workers were engaged in the 'fuselage mating' process, combining the forward and central fuselage sections. Once joined, the aircraft received landing gear and various electronic equipment. Inside the fuselage, three to four workers were meticulously connecting complex wiring and equipment.
Despite their large size, helicopter components placed on one side of the production line were surprisingly lightweight, thanks to the use of composite materials like carbon fiber. KAI is expanding its technological capabilities with the LAH production, preparing for future battlefields with a manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) system.
KAI Expands Beyond Fighter Jets into Space
After passing through the fighter jet and helicopter production lines, I arrived at the space center, where the atmosphere shifted once again. The South Korean flag and KAI logo were prominently displayed at the top of the production line walls. Unlike the aircraft manufacturing facility, the interior was much more organized and quiet, with strict controls on temperature, humidity, and airborne particles for satellite production.
KAI's space center includes assembly areas for satellites, as well as orbit environment testing rooms, launch environment testing rooms, and electromagnetic testing rooms. A separate acoustic testing room is also available to simulate the vibrations and loud sounds generated during launch, as well as the vacuum and rapid temperature changes of space, ensuring that satellites can withstand extreme conditions.
Since starting the development of the multipurpose practical satellite in 1994, KAI has accumulated expertise in satellite system and body development through subsequent projects. Inside the center, medium and large satellites, along with a small synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite currently under development by KAI, were being assembled.
This satellite, weighing around 150 kg, is being developed as part of KAI's bid for the government's small satellite system SAR constellation project. It is equipped with SAR technology for ground observation regardless of day or night and weather conditions, as well as an automatic identification system (AIS) signal receiver to track maritime vessels. The exterior is wrapped in a gold multi-layer insulation (MLI) to protect internal equipment from extreme temperature fluctuations in space.
Park Yong-hyun, head of KAI's space industry development team, stated, "We can assemble about 20 small SAR satellites simultaneously, and if we utilize idle space, we could produce over 100 units annually. We have established a one-stop solution that allows us to handle everything from design to production, assembly, and testing in one location once orders come in."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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