D
Air ForcesSouth Korea

FA-50 Golden Eagle

Light combat aircraftFielded 2012Pending verification
Air ForcesKOR
FA-50 Golden Eagle
Photo: 대한민국 국군 Republic of Korea Armed Forces · CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
TypeLight combat aircraft
Date of introduction2012
ProliferationAt least 3 countries
ManufacturerKorea Aerospace Industries / Lockheed MartinMed[1]
Crew2Med[1]
Dimensions and weight
Length13.14 m43 ftMed[1]
Wingspan9.45 m31 ftMed[1]
Height4.82 m16 ftMed[1]
Empty weight5,870 kg12,941 lbMed[1]
Max takeoff weight11,158 kg24,599 lbMed[1]
Flight performance
Engine1 x General Electric F404-GE-102Med[1]
Thrust / power5,409 kg, 53.07 kN static thrustMed[1]
SpeedMach 1.4Med[1]
Range1,853 km1,151 mi · 1,001 nmiMed[1]
Rate of climb137 m/secMed[1]
Service ceiling14,630 m47,999 ftMed[1]
Protection
Chaff / flaresYesMed[1]
Armament and payload
HardpointsTotal of 7 with 4 underwing 2 wingtip and one under fuselage; holding up to 4,500 kg of payload.Med[1]
Missile Systems: wingtip pylonAIM-9 SidewinderMed[1]
Missile Systems: undertip/centerlineMk 82/83/84 bombs or rocket launchersMed[1]
ArmamentM61 Vulcan; Mk 82Med[1]
Fire control
Navigation RadarHoneywell H-764G global positioning/inertial navigation system; HG9550 radar altimeter; Rockwell Collins VIR-130A integrated VOR/instrument landing system; ARN-153V advanced…Med[1]
Fire Control Radar1 x AN/APG-67(V)4Med[1]
CommunicationsRaytheon ARC-232 VHF radioMed[1]
Variants
T-50Advanced trainer version.[1]
T-50iVersion of the T-50 for Indonesian Air Force.[1]
T-50THVersion of the T-50 for Royal Thai Air Force.[1]
T-50AFailed candidate for the US Air Force T-X program, based on the FA-50.[1]
T-50BAerobatic specialized T-50 version for Korea Air Force's aerobatic display team, the Black Eagles.[1]
TA-50Lead-in fighter trainer and light attack version.[1]
FA-50Light attack/fighter version, originally named A-50. A prototype from a converted T-50 first flew in 2011.[1]
FA-50PHVersion of the FA-50 for the Philippine Air Force.[1]
Weapons and payload options · 2Confidence · Source
M61 VulcanRotary Cannon
Med[1]
Quantity
205 Rounds
Type
Rotary Cannon
Caliber
20 mm
Rate of fire
6,000 rounds per minute
Mk 82Weapon
Med[1]
Summary

The FA-50 is a light combat aircraft manufactured by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF). It is a light combat version of KAI T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
South KoreaPhilippinesThailand
Sources
  1. FA-50 Golden Eagle South Korean Light Combat Aircraft, U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
    Published/updated 2026-03-20 · Tier 1 · checked 2026-10-10
Change log
  • 2026-10-10 Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import
  • 2026-10-10 Added photo (CC BY-SA 2.0)