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KAI FA-50M Golden Eagle - Phantom Strike
Hi and welcome to my 117th, which is about the Malaysian FA-50M, hope you like it. 
First of all:
- Feel free to share more Information and / or correct me if something is wrong
- Discuss respectfully, any aggressive kind or verbal abuse will be reported, the Forum rules also apply here
Background History
The T-50 program was all about creating an indigenous trainer that could fly at supersonic speeds. Its main purpose was to get pilots ready for planes like the F-16 and F-15, taking over from the old T-38 and A-37 trainers the ROKAF was using. The lineage of the T-50 series, particularly the FA-50 variant, bears a striking resemblance to the configuration of the KF-16. The groundwork for this endeavor, termed the KTX-2 program and initiated in 1992, faced a setback in 1995 when financial constraints led to its suspension by the Ministry of Finance and Economy. Nonetheless, the basic design for the aircraft was established by 1999.
Funding came mostly from the South Korean government (70%), with KAI chipping in (17%) and Lockheed Martin (13%). The T-50 got its official name, the “T-50 Golden Eagle,” in February 2000. The U.S. military saved the “T-50A” name to avoid mix-ups. The first T-50 has been assembled between in 2001 and took its first flight in August 2002. KAI and Lockheed Martin were working together to sell the T-50 globally. In December 2003, the ROKAF signed up for 25 T-50s, expecting them between 2005 and 2009.
The first T-50s had Lockheed Martin’s AN/APG-67(v)4 radar and a F404-GE-102 engine with Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) made by Samsung Techwin under license.
Malaysia is currently modernizing its air force with the procurement of 18 FA-50M light combat aircraft from the South Korean manufacturer Korea Aerospace Industries. The contract, signed in 2023, is worth nearly four billion ringgit. The first six aircraft are scheduled to be delivered to the Royal Malaysian Air Force by the end of this year. Four aircraft are expected in October, with two more in December. The remaining twelve aircraft are scheduled to be delivered in stages over the following year.
The Malaysian version of the KAI FA-50 is currently considered the most modern and capable variant within the FA-50 family, the only comparable variant is the FA-50PL, developed for the Polish Air Force. With the planned second procurement phase, Malaysia could acquire an additional 18 aircraft, thereby increasing its total fleet to 36 aircraft. This would significantly strengthen the operational capabilities of the Malaysian Air Force while further deepening security cooperation with South Korea.
Armament of the FA-50M
The armament of the FA-50M is relatively similar to that of the other Golden Eagles from the ASEAN region, at least on the basic stuff. The Malaysian variant however, may’ve received AIM-120s.
The on-board armament remains a three-barreled M61A1 with 205 rounds.
Air-to-Air Missiles
- 2x AIM-9M
- ?x AIM-120 (?)
Dumb-Bombs / Rockets
- 4-?x GBU-12
- 6-8x Mk.82
- 4x LAU-3
Air-to-Ground Missiles
- 4x AGM-65G
Specifications, Electronics and Internal
Unlike the other ASEAN Golden Eagles, however, the FA-50M is equipped with newer electronics and features such as the PhantomStrike AESA radar, an in-flight refueling system, and Link 16 Block 2.
- Crew: 2
- Length: 13.13 m
- Wingspan: 9.45 m
- Height: 4.85 m
- Max. takeoff weight: 12.383 kg
- Powerplant: 1x F404-GE-102
- Dry thrust: 53.07 kN
- Afterburner thrust: 78.7 kN
- Maximum speed: Mach 1.5
- Service ceiling: 16.700 m
- Rate of climb: 198 m/s
- Thrust to weight: 0.96
- Maximum g-load: +8g / -3g
Thanks for your time, hope you liked it 
[Will add more if there are some (more) important / declassified things]
[PM or comment if a Link or Picture isn´t working]
Sources:
Links
Malaysia’s FA-50M Fighter Enters Final Assembly: Air Force Chief Visits South Korea as Delivery Countdown Begins - Defence Security Asia
https://m.koreaaero.com/en/business/FA50.aspx
Six FA-50M Fighters to Arrive by 2026: KAI Confirms Accelerated Delivery Timeline for RMAF - Defence Security Asia
Redirecting...
South Korea develops new single-seat variant of its FA-50 light attack aircraft to match US F-16 roles at lower acquisition cost
List of Suggestions of ASEAN region