The third prototype of the KAI KF-21 Boramae test program had its first flight during noon on January 5, 2023.
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced yesterday the successful first flight of the third prototype of the South Korean-developed 4.5-generation fighter, the KF-21 Boramae, which lasted 37 minutes.
See also: F-15K modernization and more tanker aircraft for the South Korean Air Force
Korea Aerospace Industries will continue the campaign of flight tests with the three prototypes already flying. By mid-year, prototypes n° 4 and n° 5 are also expected to take off the ground for the first time.
The third prototype is set to measure the robustness of the fuselage structure during acceleration and violent maneuvers that generate high G-load values.
South Korea hopes to complete development of the KF-21 Boramae by 2026 and begin serial production to replace the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II and Northrop F-5 E/F Tiger, which are still in service with the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF).
See also: South Korea seeks to replace its aging F-4 and F-5 fighters as soon as possible
