Korean Air KUS-FS

The Korean Air KUS‑FS is a high‑performance, twin‑engine supersonic trainer and light combat aircraft developed by South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development (ADD) in collaboration with Korean Air Aerospace Division. The program began in 2014 as a response to the nation’s need for an indigenous platform that could replace aging training fleets and provide a cost‑effective option for auxiliary strike missions. The first prototype rolled out in March 2018 and made its maiden flight in September 2019, followed by a series of rigorous flight‑test campaigns that culminated in certification in late 2022. Powered by two FADEC‑controlled turbofan engines delivering 16 kN of thrust each, the KUS‑FS reaches a maximum speed of Mach 1.6 and a service ceiling of 15 000 m. Its airframe incorporates composite skins and a digital fly‑by‑wire system, while the cockpit features a glass panel with multifunction displays compatible with NATO‑standard data links. The aircraft’s modular hardpoint configuration allows carriage of a variety of air‑to‑ground weapons, reconnaissance pods, and fuel tanks. As South Korea’s first indigenously designed supersonic trainer, the KUS‑FS strengthens domestic aerospace capability, reduces dependence on foreign suppliers, and positions the country as a potential exporter of advanced military trainers.

Agency for Defense Development

Classification

Production & History

Design & Classification