KF-21 Boramae, produced by Korea Aerospace Industry, has successfully completed its first night flight test, following the first prototype’s maiden flight in July of last year, with a gap of seven months. The KF-21 program is a major step forward for South Korea’s domestic aerospace industry, as it aims to develop a domestically produced advanced multi-role fighter aircraft, which can replace its aging fleet of F-4 fighter jets currently in service.
KF-21 prototypes 3 and 4 departed from the South Korean Air Force’s 3rd Training Flight Center on the evening of March 9th, flying over the southern region of the Korean peninsula for about an hour. The aircraft maintained an altitude of 20,000 feet and a speed of approximately 248 knots.
The purpose of these test flights was to verify the proper operation of KF-21’s internal and external lighting systems in scenarios where visibility is limited. The lighting systems of the aircraft serve a crucial role in mitigating the risks of collisions during night flights and illuminating the pilot’s instrument panel.
These successful night flight tests represent a significant milestone for the KF-21 program, demonstrating the aircraft’s capabilities in low-visibility environments and increasing confidence in its overall performance.