The origins of the KT-1 can be found within the KTX programme, which had been launched during 1988 on behalf of the Republic of Korea Air Force (RKAF). The programme, which sought to develop an indigenously designed trainer aircraft, was a joint effort between aircraft manufacturer Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and government body Agency for Defence Development (ADD); the latter was responsible for overseeing the project, while the former performed the detailed design work as well as the majority of manufacturing activity.[1]
A series of nine prototypes were constructed, the first being complete during June 1991. During 1995, the aircraft was officially named 'Woongbi'. In 1998, it was announced that the final test flight had been performed.
During 2002, KAI revealed that they were working on the production of an upgraded and armed version of the KT-1 basic trainer.[2] This variant, designated KO-1, was intended to be used in the forward air control and counter-insurgency (COIN) roles. Development was conducted in cooperation with the Agency for Defence Development (ADD) and had been undertaken in response to an existing RKAF requirement for 20-40 aircraft.[2] According to a KAI representative, the KO-1 is ideally suited for drug interdiction operations and that the company was pitching the variant towards countries in Latin America.[3]
On 8 March 2006, a KAI spokesperson announced that the company intended to export more than 150 improved versions of the KT-1 to various countries across both Central America and Southeast Asia. During 2005, KAI had begun marketing the KT-1 as one element of an integrated training package, having paired it with their newer jet-powered KAI T-50 Golden Eagle trainer.[4] The company also stated that it believes a partnership with Americanaerospace company Lockheed Martin shall encourage confidence in its training platforms.[5]
The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) is the primary customer for the type. During 2000, the first KT-1 Woongbi was handed over to the ROKAF; deliveries had originally been scheduled to commence two years earlier.[9] By the end of that year, eight aircraft had been delivered to the service; reportedly, a rate of production of two aircraft per month had been achieved by this point.[10] By November 2003, the assembly line was reportedly about to be put on hold following the completion of the ROKAF's order; however, KAI aimed to restart production within two-three years based upon follow-on orders.[11][12] However, a follow-on ROKAF order for 20 aircraft was received that same month.[13] The majority of the ROKAF's fleet can be armed with both gun pods and rockets, which are intended to be used for weapons training.[14]
One of the first export customers for the KT-1 was Indonesia. During early 2001, Indonesia exchanged 8 CASA/IPTN CN-235 transport aircraft for 12 KT-1 trainers.[15][16] On 25 April 2003, the first KT-1 was delivered to Indonesia, a move which represented the first Korean aircraft export; commenting at the time, KAI stated that it was presently in negotiations for a 13-trainer follow-on order.[17] During early 2011, reported emerged that Indonesia was interested in further acquisitions, but South Korean officials denied that any further barter deals had been agreed.[15] During November 2018, three additional KT-1B aircraft were ordered for the Indonesian Air Force (IDAF).[18]
During June 2007, South Korea and Turkey successfully negotiated a ₩500 billion (equivalent to ₩626.09 billion or US$553.86 million in 2017)[21] contract for 40 (+15) KT-1s; this exchange involved the modular armor technology of the K2 Black Panthermain battle tank (MBT), which Turkey hopes to use upon its own future indigenous Atlay MBT.[22][23] The last of these aircraft, which were designated KT-1T and jointly manufactured by the two nations, was delivered during late 2012.[24] During April 2015, it was announced that Turkey would procure a further 15 KT-1Ts as a stop-gap measure until development of its indigenous TAI Hürkuş trainer aircraft could be completed.[25][26]
On 6 November 2012, KAI and the Peruvian Air Force signed a contract for 20 KT-1Ps, comprising ten KT and ten KA versions as well as some offset and technology transfer arrangements, for an approximate amount of US$208 million. KAI was to provide the first four aircraft by the end of 2014, while the remainder were to be locally assembled by SEMAN, the maintenance air wing of the Peruvian Air Force.[27][28] The type shall progressively replace the aging fleets of Aermacchi MB-339 and Embraer EMB 312 Tucano aircraft. During April 2015, the first locally manufactured KT-1P was delivered to the Peruvian Air Force.[29]
During November 2018, Spain proposed a barter deal to South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) involving the KT-1 and other Korean aircraft, potentially involving up to 30 planes, which Spain wished to exchange for up to 6 Airbus A400M Atlas transport planes. If completed, this deal would be first export of the KT-1 to a European Union country.[30]
Prototype primary trainer each with a different engine fitted, six built.[31] KTX-1 turboprop trainer in 1988, and the first prototype flew in 1991. The first two prototypes were powered by the 550-shp. Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-25A turboprop.
KT-1
KT-1 is the basic trainer of the ROKAF. Compared to the KTX-1 prototype, the KT-1 is bigger, heavier, the tail surfaces are relocated and it has a more powerful P&W Canada PT6A-62.(950-shp)[32]
An armed advanced trainer with light-attack and forward air control capabilities. Several new features unique to the KA-1 are a head-up display and up-front control panel, MFD panels, and five hardpoints, two under each wing and one under the fuselage. The hardpoints may be equipped with rocket launchers, gun pods or AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.
KT-1B
Indonesian Air Force KT-1B WoongbiExport version for Indonesia. Main differences are in terms of avionics, some of which have been excluded or have had commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) alternatives used instead.[6]
On 9 April 2021, a KT-1 trainer aircraft had crashed to the Aegean Sea. Both pilots were recovered by search and rescue teams tasked by the Turkish Air Force. While one of the pilots had ejected himself, the remaining pilot managed to crash-land the KT-1 and preserved the structural integrity of the aircraft.[36][37]
On 1 April 2022, four ROKAF pilots were killed after a pair of KT-1s crashed into each other over a mountain northeast of Sacheon.[38]
On 26 December 2022, a KA-1 crashed soon after takeoff after being dispatched in response to North Korean drones violating South Korean airspace. The crew escaped unharmed.[39]
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