Capability of the FA-50 Light Combat Aircraft, the FA-50 PH is a modified version of the FA-50
Fact check about the FA-50PH.
"Albeit the reports that it serve as a light MRF, it holds truthfulness to that, if and only if Israeli weapons are to be fitted in the jets in a form of an upgrade which make it by par with Gripen C/D block. Moreover, the PAF's designation to this jet is Lead-in Fighter Trainer (LIFT). Considerably, the reason for this designation is for PAF to convince lawmakers to fund more for the MRF project.
FA-50PH + Israel Upgrade = Light MRF.
If it becomes a de facto MRF, no doubt, the "tama na yan" attitude sets in and the MRF program will be in total jeopardy once it happens. So, for the people who believe that FA-50PH is a light MRF, yes. You may be correct, but beware. Categorizing it as such will have a bad consequence to the MRF program." - Tirpitz
The FA-50 PH is like our AS-211, but even better, modern, faster, and advance. The real purpose of the Lead In Fighter Trainer (LIFT) acquisition program was to acquire "fighter trainers" for our Multi-Role Fighter (MRF) acquisition program on phase II/horizon II of the AFP modernization program but because of the reason that we do not have jet fighters during the Aquino administration, the Department of National Defense (DND), after the selection and declaration of the TA-50 as the winning aircraft on year 2012, negotiated with KIA for an upgrade.
FA-50 PH, 001 and 002, Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines
The Purpose of the FA-50
The FA-50 PH is like a twin bladed sword, it has a dual purpose and function; its first purpose and function as a Lead In Fighter Trainer aircraft is to train Philippine Air Force (PAF) pilots on operating 4th generation to 4.5th generation jet fighters, as a interim fighter it serves as a preparation for our Multi-Role Fighter acquisition program.
Its second purpose; and as a Light Combat Aircraft/Light-MRF, it should be expected that it will perform without any bit of doubt Light Combat Aircraft/Light-MRF roles such as:
Interception;
Reconnaissance;
Close-Air-Support (CAS);
Escort Missions;
Fighter vs Fighter engagements (Dog Fighting);
Etc.
Because it is not a Lead In Fighter Trainer nor it is design as such, it is primarily a Light Combat Aircraft/Light-MRF intended to replace the F-5 squadrons of the South Korean air force, its avionics, and weapons system are that of a jet fighter.
FA-50 PH in action
News report about the FA-50 PH
Let us compare the two
AS-211
"The S-211 is a small tandem two-seat shoulder-wing monoplane with a retractable tricycle landing gear and powered by a single Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-4C turbofan. Also, the aircraft was designed for a secondary close air support capability with four underwing hardpoints for the carriage of weapons and other external stores"
Upgrades:
Project Falcon: Optical sights from the retired F-5s were installed; Project Falcon Uniform: 2-Tone light and dark ghost gray paint scheme along with low visibility markings was painted on the aircraft to reduce their overall visibility; Project Falcon Hear: AN/ARC-34 UHF radios from the F-5A/B, Belly Gun Pod designed, developed and manufactured by Philippine company Aerotech Industries Philippines, Inc. (AIPI) with a M3 .50 cal Machine Gun, an automatic charger, and approximately 240 rounds of .50 cal ammunition were installed. Max speed is Mac 0.8. Source
AS-211 of the PAF, in action, AS-211 vs F-18 in a dog fight (just a friendly exercise)
FA-50 PH
"The KAI T-50 Golden Eagle is a family of South Korean supersonic advanced trainers and light combat aircraft, developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) with Lockheed Martin. The T-50 is South Korea's first indigenous supersonic aircraft and one of the world's few supersonic trainers."
"The FA-50 is the most advanced version of the T-50, possessing more internal fuel capacity, enhanced avionics, a longer radome and a tactical data link"
Possibilities: "Plans call for 3 to 4 of 12 aircraft to be fitted with capability for beyond visual range (BVR) intercept. In March 2015, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reported that the Philippines plans to order additional FA-50s, which is supported by the PAF flight plan 2028 that lists another 12 FA-50s planned for the future.
Maximum Speed Mac 1.5, it has a A-50 3 barrel rotary cannon, 7 Hard points. Source
Conclusion, the FA-50 PH is not only for ceremonies or for displays, if the government have armed it with the much needed weapons already then we could have used it already to its full potential, the time will come that we will witness and experience, with national pride, the full capabilities of the FA-50 a Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)/ Light Multi-Role Fighter (L-MRF) that just functions as a Lead In Fighter Trainer (LIFT) of the Philippine Air Force (PAF).
1 comments:
TA/50 is the LIFT aircraft. Tha FA/50 is an LCA. As defined by KAI. Having the requirement in the contract written as LIFT. Does not mean that the aircraft is indeed a LIFT aircraft. It was mentioned in the Wikipedia page that the DND switched to the FA/50 rather than acquiring the originally planned TA/50 which is the actual LIFT aircraft. The FA/50 is not configured for training. Despite not being upgraded with Israel systems yet. It is already capable of performing strike missions and close range air combat. Given the stock configuration and systems of the FA/50.
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