AIDC F-CK-1 Ching-kuo
F-CK-1 Ching-Kuo | |
---|---|
An ROCAF F-CK-1A on approach | |
Role | Multirole fighter[1] |
National origin | Taiwan |
Manufacturer | Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation[2] |
First flight | May 28, 1989 |
Introduction | 1992[3][4] |
Status | In service |
Primary user | Republic of China Air Force |
Produced | 1990–2000 (A/B models) |
Number built | 137 (6 Prototypes and 131 serials)[5] |
Developed into | AIDC T-5
|
The AIDC F-CK-1 Ching-Kuo (Chinese: 經國號戰機; pinyin: Jīngguó Hào Zhànjī), commonly known as the Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF), is a multirole combat aircraft named after Chiang Ching-kuo, the late President of the Republic of China. The aircraft made its first flight in 1989. It entered service with Republic of China Air Force (Taiwan) in 1992.[3] All 130 production aircraft were manufactured by 1999.[6]
Taiwan initiated the IDF program when the
Development
Background
The preliminary search for a replacement for the ROCAF's
The signing of the 1982 US-China
Design phase
The AIDC officially began the IDF development project in May 1982 following the ROCAF's failure to purchase new fighters from the United States as a result of Chinese diplomatic pressure. The project, led by Hsi-Chun Mike Hua, later known as the father of the Indigenous Defense Fighter,[10] was named An-Hsiang (安翔, Safe Flight)[11] and divided into four sections in 1983:
- Ying-Yang (鷹揚): "Soaring Eagle". Development of the airframe. Some cooperation with General Dynamics.
- Yun-Han (雲漢): "Galaxy". Development of the aircraft powerplant and propulsion. Cooperation with Garrett (Now Honeywell).
- Tien-Lei (天雷): "Thunder". Development of the avionics systems. Some cooperation with Smiths Industries, with some components purchased directly from Lear Astronics (today a subsidiary of BAE), Litton (today a subsidiary of Northrop Grumman) and Martin-Baker.
- Tien-Chien (天劍): "Sky Sword". Development of air-to-air missiles.
In April 1997 American company Litton's Applied Technology division was awarded a production contract and options totaling $116.2 million by the Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation for Improved Radar Warning Receivers (IRWR) to be installed aboard.[6]
Yun Han: engine research
Exports of advanced engines such as the General Electric F404 or the Pratt & Whitney F100 were not available to Taiwan and both the General Electric J85 and General Electric J79 were considered unsuitable in their performance, and most European and American engine companies declined to cooperate with the project. Joint investment with Garrett became the only practical solution.
In 1978, following the success of the
ITEC completely redesigned the TFE1042-7 into the TFE1042-70 – for example, the bypass ratio was changed from 0.84 to 0.4, and the investment had increased from US$180 million to about US$320 million. However, to avoid pressures from China, the US government had asked all American companies cooperating with the Taiwan on the IDF project to remain low-key. Therefore, the perception that "the TFE1042 is merely the civilian engine TFE731 with an afterburner" was never completely dispelled.[citation needed]
In 1985, the preliminary review of the IDF's design revealed some performance requirement shortfalls, and it was determined that an upgrade of engine thrust by 10% was the simplest solution. Due to American export license restrictions, ITEC used FADEC to artificially limit the thrust below a certain altitude (the restriction was not removed until 1990). Although the upgrade essentially used the TFE1088-11 configuration, to reduce political interference ITEC renamed the original, lower-thrust version as the TFE1042-X70 and retained the TFE1042-70 designation for the upgraded version.[citation needed]
In 1988, ITEC decided to invest in the 12,000 lbf (53 kN) thrust TFE1088-12, which was re-designated as the TFE1042-70A for political reason as well. Preliminary studies had shown that the IDF could
Ying Yang: aerodynamic design
The cooperation between AIDC and General Dynamics (GD) was divided into four phases:
- GD analyzed the ROCAF's aircraft performance and force requirements.
- Taiwan assessed GD's reports and chose between AIDC's original design and GD's new design.
- AIDC sent personnel to GD for the preliminary design phase.
- GD sent personnel to Taiwan to complete the project.
GD's assistance was restricted by the US State Department's arms export control, which limited GD's work to initial design consulting but not further development, production, or marketing.[13]
Many different airframe design concepts were explored (e.g. the 2D Thrust-Vectoring nozzle of XX-201, the double delta wings/twin tailed 401). After the General Electric J79 was officially abandoned as the potential engine solution in 1983, three configurations emerged from AIDC.[citation needed]
- Configuration A was similar to the F-5E.
- Configuration B was similar to the Saab Gripen.
- Configuration C was similar to the F-15.
At the same time, GD worked on the G configuration in parallel. Eventually the G-4 was selected, but with many features of the C-2 integrated. During this time, the project was named the "Light Weight Defense Fighter". In 1985, the configuration conceptual design had evolved into the SE-1 preliminary design. By the end of 1985, AIDC decided to skip the prototype stage and go into Full Scale Development (FSD) directly, in order to reduce time and save money. The project was again renamed into the "Indigenous Defense Fighter". Four FSD aircraft were made, with three single-seaters and one double-seater.[14]
Tien Lei: Avionics Integration
The IDF is equipped with a GD-53 Golden Dragon multi-mode monopulse pulse-Doppler radar, which is based on the General Electric AN/APG-67 X band radar developed for the F-20 while sharing some components and technologies of the AN/APG-66 radar of the F-16A, and using a larger antenna than used by the F-20.[15] and this adaptation resulted in the look-down and shoot-down capability of GD-53 being greatly enhanced in comparison to that of the original AN/APG-67, reaching that of the AN/APG-66. The radar can simultaneously track 10 targets and engage two of the 10 targets tracked with TC-2 active radar seeker BVRAAMs.[citation needed]
The design is inherently unstable in pitch, so the IDF incorporated a modern triple-redundant full authority fly-by-wire control system. The avionics suite was based on modular architecture with dual redundant MIL-STD-1553B digital databuses. The Honeywell H423 inertial navigation system, the TWS-95 RHAWS, and a Bendix-King head-up display were selected.[15] Some capabilities may have been delayed or dropped in order to meet the performance requirement, since the engine limitation has resulted in the necessity of strict weight control.[citation needed]
Tien Chien: Missile R&D
The
The first test firing of the TC-1 missile was performed by an F-5E in April 1986, with the Beech target drone successfully destroyed. Initial production of the TC-1 began in 1989, and it entered service in 1991. Both the AIM-9 and the TC-1 have been seen in use on operational IDFs.[16]
CSIST is believed to have cooperated with Motorola and Raytheon on the TC-2's active seeker, which is believed to be based on their seeker design which was proposed for the AIM-120. 40 pre-production TC-2 missiles were produced before 1995, and were the only BVR AAMs that the ROCAF had in its inventory during the 1995–96 Taiwan Strait Missile Crisis. Over 200 production TC-2s were originally planned.[citation needed]
Upgrades
During the F-CK-1's development, it was tapped as the secondary delivery vehicle for the
The first stage of upgrades to the fleet was originally planned to be completed by 2013, and was planned to include improved avionics, radar, electronics, weapons capabilities and lifespan extensions.[18] In May 2014, the ROC Air Force made photos of the fighters with enhanced Wan Chien long-range missile capabilities public.[19] The upgrade program was finally completed in 2018.[20]
Variants
Prototypes
Four[21] "Full Scale Development" units were produced; three single-seaters followed by a two-seater. The first successful test flight by single-seater FSD A1 was made on May 28, 1989.[22] The two-seater FSD B1 conducted its first flight on July 10, 1990.[22][23]
Pre-production
Production of ten pre-production units began in October 1990.[24] The first four were delivered in March 1992[21] and the last in 1993.[25]
Mechanical defects caused two crashes, one in 1991 and one in 1993, during pre-production.[26]
F-CK-1 A/B Ching-Kuo
The ROCAF's initial order for 256 aircraft was cut to 130 in 1991, following deals for the purchase of 150 F-16 Block 20 A/B and 60 Mirage 2000-5Ei/Di with the US and France.[27] The 130 included 28 two-seaters[24][21] and the 10 pre-production units.[21]
The first production units were delivered in early 1994,[21] and the program concluded in 2000.[28]
The first squadron entered service during the latter part of the 1994.[29]
Mid-life updates to the aircraft were initiated in 2011.[30][31]
F-CK-1 C/D Hsiang Sheng
The
- Upgrades of the AT-3, IDF, and F-5 would be assigned to AIDC in the future.
- The Army Utility Helicopter, the Navy's long range ASW aircraft, a helicopter for the Marines, and an Air Force medium transport will all be produced and assembled by qualifying domestic firms in conjunction with the foreign firms that originally designed them.
- NCSIST and AIDC will jointly assemble a team for the early planning of the ROCAF's next generation fighter, in order to assess procurement methods and suggest concepts.
- AIDC's joint ventures with foreign firms or alliances with domestic firms will be given high priority in military aircraft service and maintenance.
- In the future, the military will give responsibility for weapons system flight tests, electronic warfare exercises, air towing drones, avionics maintenance, and weapons procurement planning to AIDC, in situations where AIDC has the professional capacity that the military lack.FY2001~FY2007), which allocates 10 million New Taiwanese Dollars (NTD) annually for a total of 70 million NTD for both CSIST and AIDC. Initial media reports indicated that the upgraded IDF would be called the "Joint Countermeasure Platform".[33]
In 2001, it was reported that development of a new "
- Increase the carrying capacity for the TC-2 beyond-visual range air-to-air missile from two to four. Integrate the TC-2A anti-radiation missile and the Wan Chien cluster bomb. In addition, two conformal fuel tanks were seen on the two newly built prototype aircraft, these are not seen on production upgrades.[35]
- Upgrade the mission computers, the Identification Friend or Foe (AIFF) system and the terrain-following radar.
- Ground and air testing.[36][37]
The development contract for the upgraded 32-bit IDF C/D flight control computer was awarded in 2002 to BAE Systems. AIDC said that the improvements of the flight computer will result in "a safer, higher-performing aircraft.”
The first test flight of the upgraded IDF was reportedly successfully completed a few days ahead of schedule in early October.[40][41][42]
On March 27, 2007, President
As of 12/2009, 71 F-CK-1 A/B are upgrading to F-CK-1 C/D over 4 years span for over US$500 million, according to AIDC CEO, under Project Hsiang Chan (翔展), as AIDC and ROCAF had signed a contract for the expected upgrade program.[44]
In 2018 AIDC delivered the last upgraded F-CK-1 C/D to the Republic of China Air Force.[45]
IDF Lead-in Fighter Trainer
This section needs to be updated.(February 2020) |
According to the media, the AIDC IDF trainer concept apparently involved the removal of the fire control radar and combat systems with the retention of rear-seat flight controls, so that the IDF could be used as a
In 2003, the former AIDC Chairman Huang Jung-Te said that AIDC still hoped the ROCAF would consider using a simplified version of the IDF for LIFT, and that such a concept could have a cost as low as US$16 million per unit, compared to the
In May 2006, Lt. General Cheng Shih-Yu testified that the MND indeed plans to retire the F-5E/F by 2010 and allow the in-service IDFs to take over training missions.[49] It is unclear what modifications (if any) will be made to IDFs after they become trainers.
The trainers produced by the program would later named AIDC T-5 Brave Eagle, and four prototypes were rolled out in 2019.
Operators
- Republic of China (Taiwan) Air Force – 137 aircraft, including 6 prototypes.[5]
Specifications (F-CK-1A)
Data from GlobalSecurity.org[6] Milavia,[50] TaiwanAirPower.org[51][52]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 14.21 m (46 ft 7 in)
- Wingspan: 9 m (29 ft 6 in)
- Height: 4.42 m (14 ft 6 in)
- Wing area: 24.2 m2 (260 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 6,486 kg (14,299 lb)
- Gross weight: 9,072 kg (20,000 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 12,247 kg (27,000 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Honeywell/ITEC F125-GA-100 turbofan, 27 kN (6,100 lbf) thrust each dry, 42.1 kN (9,500 lbf) with afterburner
Performance
- Maximum speed: Mach 1.8 (1379mph, 2,220 km/h)[53]
- Range: 1,100 km (680 mi, 590 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 16,800 m (55,100 ft)
- Thrust/weight: 0.946(clean)/0.701(maximum load)
Armament
- Guns: 1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M61A1 6-barreled Gatling cannon
- Missiles:
- 4× Sky Sword I
- 4× Sky Sword II
- 4× AIM-9 Sidewinder
- 4× AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface missiles
- 2× Hsiung Feng II Anti-ship missiles
- 2x Wan Chien air-to-ground cruise missile
- Bombs:
- 10x Mark 82 bomb
- 10x Mk-20 Rockeye II
- 3x Mark 84 bomb
Avionics
- Radar: 1× GD-53 X-bandpulse doppler
- Effective scanning range:
- Look up: 57 kilometres (35 mi)
- Look down: 39 km (24 mi)
See also
Related development
Related lists
References
- Notes
- ISBN 978-0-16-091386-0. Archived(PDF) from the original on 2017-07-12.
- ^ Taylor 1999, pp. 98–99.
- ^ a b 漢翔航空工業股份有限公司 (2018-10-18). "漢翔航空工業股份有限公司". Aidc.com.tw. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
- ^ "【武備巡禮】IDF經國號戰鬥機 國機國造捍衛領空". air.mnd.gov.tw.
- ^ a b 漢翔航空工業股份有限公司 (2017-02-23). "漢翔航空工業股份有限公司". Aidc.com.tw. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
- ^ a b c "Ching-kuo (Hsiung Ying) Indigenous Defense Fighter". Global Security. 2005-04-27. Retrieved 2006-05-14.
- ^ Hua Hsi-Chun (1999). Fighter's Sky (in Chinese). Commonwealth publishing.
- ^ Lake 1996, pp. 29–30.
- ^ Lake 1996, p. 30.
- ^ "Aeronautics developer Mike Hua dies aged 92". Taipei Times. 2017-01-26. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
- ^ Lake 1996, pp. 30–31.
- ^ Hua, Hsi-Chun (1997). Story of Yun Han (in Chinese). China Productivity Center.
- ^ IDF 20th year roll out recollection. Retrieved Sept 14, 2009.
- ^ Yang, Pao-Chih. Soaring Eagle: A Development Story of Taiwan's Indigenous Defense Fighter (in Chinese). Yun Hao Publishing.
- ^ a b Lake 1996, pp. 34–35.
- ^ a b Lake 1996, pp. 35–36.
- ISBN 978-1727337334. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
- ^ "Taiwan to complete 1st upgrades to locally made fighters in 2013". www.globalsecurity.org.
- ^ Joseph Yeh (2014-05-22). "Military's upgraded IDF jet fleet photos go public". The China Post. Retrieved 2014-05-23.
- ^ Chuanren, Chen. "Taiwan's Ching-kuo Upgrade Complete, SEAD Role Next". www.ainonline.com. AIN Online. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Taylor, John W.R.; Munson, Kenneth (February 1995). "Gallery of South Asian Airpower". Air Force Magazine. Vol. 78, no. 2. Arlington, Virginia, USA: Air Force Association. pp. 48–63.
- ^ a b Lake 1996, p. 39.
- ^ "IDF Ching-Kuo Fighter Product Introduction" (in Chinese). AIDC. Archived from the original on 2006-10-10. Retrieved 2006-10-15.
- ^ a b Doke, DeeDee (August 11, 1999). "Weathering the storm: Taiwan's aerospace industry faces formidable hurdles on the road to privatisation". Flight International. DVV Media International Ltd. p. 36.
- ISBN 9780262560856.
- ISBN 0-8330-2591-0. CF-137-CAPP.
- ^ Lake 1996, pp. 40–41.
- ^ Penney, Stewart (August 15, 2000). "Taiwan to develop IDF variant". Flight International. DVV Media International Ltd. p. 14.
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- ^ Cole, J. Michael (1 July 2011). "Air force receives first upgraded fighters". Taipei Times. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- ^ Cole, J. Michael (13 August 2011). "Jet deals to keep state-owned firm busy". Taipei Times. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- ^ Yeh Kun-Lang (2000-08-12). "Improve Ching-Kuo Fighter Performance, FY90 Allocate Ten Million Budget" (in Chinese). ETtoday.
- ^ "IDF R&D for defensive counterattack capability" (in Chinese). United Daily. 2000-07-31.
- ISBN 978-1-55587992-1.
- ^ a b Yeo, Mike (21 December 2017). "Taiwan fighter jets get new electronic warfare capabilities in latest upgrade". defensenews.com. Defense News. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
- ^ "Jane's says Taiwan ready to test upgraded fighters". Taiwan News. 2006-04-17. Archived from the original on 2006-04-28. Retrieved 2006-10-18.
- ^ "Improved version of Indigenous Defense Fighter to be tested". Taipei Times. 2006-04-17. Archived from the original on 10 September 2006. Retrieved 2006-10-18.
- ^ "BAE SYSTEMS Flight Control Computer Flies on Taiwan's Newest Fighter". BAE press release via Business Wire. 2006-11-06. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2006-11-06.
- ^ Pocock, Chris. "AIDC aims for greater role as aerospace sector supplier". www.ainonline.com. AIN Online. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
- ^ "Upgraded fighter jet test flight said completed - report". Taiwan News. 2006-10-06. Archived from the original on 2008-03-20. Retrieved 2006-10-06.
- ^ "First 12 Mass Production Enters Service, J-10's Zhe-Jiang Deployment Threatens Our Fighters" (in Chinese). China Times online edition. 2007-01-21.[dead link]
- ^ Hsu Shao-Hsuan (2007-03-16). "Hsiang Sheng Two Seat Aircraft, successful first flight yesterday" (in Chinese). Liberty Times. Archived from the original on 2012-10-23.
- ^ Chen Yi-Wei (2007-03-27). "Hsiang Sheng Result Displayed, President Named The New Fighter As Hsiung Ying" (in Chinese). Central News Agency. Archived from the original on 2012-07-12. Retrieved 2007-03-27.
- ^ "AIDC CEO confirms signing of IDF Hsigang Sheng upgrade project". China Times. 2009-12-08. Archived from the original on 13 December 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-08.
- ^ "AIDC Delivers the Last Advanced Function IDF C/D Models to ROCAF". aidc.com.tw. AIDC. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
- ^ Lu Chao-Lung (2000-07-15). "AIDC Urges The Birth of IDF Variant" (in Chinese). China Times.
- ^ ROC Ministry of National Defense (2000-08-14), "ROC Executive Yuan Letter #904492, ROC Legislative Yuan Letter #4-3-32-4280", ROC Legislative Yuan Communiqué Vol 89 #50 Yuan Record (in Chinese), ROC Legislative Yuan
- ^ Cheng Chi-Wen (2003-04-04). "Interview: AIDC Chairman, General Huang Jung-Te" (in Chinese). DIIC Magazine via AIDC website. Archived from the original on 2007-05-10.
- ^ "MND Plans To Buy New Fighter Planes". Central News Agency. 2006-05-18. Archived from the original on 2007-08-29. Retrieved 2006-10-16.
- ^ Hillebrand, Niels (2005-09-06). "AIDC Ching-Kuo F-CK-1 (IDF)". Milavia. Retrieved 2006-05-14.
- ^ Wei-Bin Chang (2006-05-27). "AIDC F-CK-1A/B Ching Kuo Indigenous Defense Fighter". Taiwan Air Power. Retrieved 2006-06-18.
- ^ Karsten Palt (2019-10-27). "AIDC F-CK-1 Ching-Kuo - Specifications - Technical Data / Description". Flugzeuginfo.net. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
- ^ "AIDC F-CK-1 Ching-kuo Specification & Technical Data - Defence Aviation". 17 June 2010.
- Bibliography
- Eden, Paul (ed.). The Encyclopedia of Modern Military Aircraft. London, UK: Amber Books, 2004. ISBN 1-904687-84-9.
- Wilson, Stewart (2000). Combat Aircraft since 1945. London: Aerospace Publications, 2000. ISBN 1-875671-50-1.
- Lake, Jon (Autumn 1996). "AIDC Ching-Kuo: The Indigenous Defence Fighter". World Air Power Journal. 26. London:Aerospace Publishing: 28–41. ISSN 0959-7050.
- Taylor, Michael (1999). Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000. London: Brassey's. ISBN 1-85753-245-7.