KAI unveils electric basic trainer

SEOUL — Korea Aerospace Industries, or KAI, showcased this week a concept model of an electrically powered basic trainer aircraft during the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition 2021 at an airbase in Seongnam, just south of Seoul.

Nicknamed “Black Kite,” the twin-seat concept aircraft features an electric propulsion system powering a total of four propellers mounted on the wings. It is expected to replace the KT-1 basic trainer in service with the South Korean Air Force.

“The output of engine power for the next-generation basic trainer is to be increased to at least 1,600 horsepower, and the aircraft is to be equipped with a digital cockpit and pressurization system, which will result in greater operational convenience for the pilot,” the aerospace company said in a press release.

The low-emission aircraft is expected to be 4.7 meters (15.4 feet) high and 11.6 meters long with a wingspan of 11.2 meters. The aircraft is also to leverage augmented reality and virtual reality to enhance the pilot’s training experience.

KAI officials anticipate the fleet of KT-1 basic trainer aircraft will be replaced by newer models in the mid-2030s, as the South Korean Air Force has been flying the KT-1 for primary and basic training and forward air control missions since 2000.

KAI also developed the T-50 supersonic trainer jet, with some 80 T-50 variants being delivered to the South Korean Air Force and 20 more on order for pilot training, acrobatic and combat support missions.

Brian Kim was a South Korea correspondent for Defense News.

首尔——韩国航空航天工业公司（KAI）本周在首尔以南城南的一个空军基地举行的2021年首尔国际航空航天与国防展览会上，展示了一款电动初级教练机的概念模型。

这款绰号为“黑风筝”的双座概念飞机采用电力推进系统，驱动安装在机翼上的四个螺旋桨。预计它将取代韩国空军现役的KT-1初级教练机。

“下一代初级教练机的发动机功率输出将至少提高到 1600 马力，并且该飞机将配备数字驾驶舱和增压系统，这将为飞行员带来更大的操作便利，”这家航空航天公司在一份新闻稿中表示。

这款低排放飞机预计高4.7米（15.4英尺），长11.6米，翼展11.2米。该飞机还将利用增强现实和虚拟现实技术来提升飞行员的训练体验。

韩国航空工业公司 (KAI) 官员预计，KT-1 初级教练机机队将在 2030 年代中期被更新的型号取代，因为自 2000 年以来，韩国空军一直使用 KT-1 进行初级和基础训练以及前线空中管制任务。

韩国航空航天工业公司（KAI）还开发了T-50超音速教练机，其中约80架T-50型飞机已交付给韩国空军，另有20架订单用于飞行员训练、特技飞行和战斗支援任务。

Brian Kim曾是《防务新闻》驻韩国记者。