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KAI T-50 vs M-346 Trainer Aircraft Comparison

KAI T-50 vs M-346 Trainer Aircraft Comparison

	KAI T-50 Golden Eagle M-346 Trainer Jet

Price
Our Rating	6.2 7.0
Manufacturer	KAI (Korea Aerospace Industries) Leonardo
Category	Fighter Jets Fighter Jets

General Information

Name	KAI T-50 Golden Eagle M-346 Master
Manufacturer	Korea Aerospace Industries Leonardo
Country of Origin	South Korea Italy
Type / Role	Advanced Jet Trainer / Light Fighter Advanced Jet Trainer / Light Combat
Generation	4th Gen Trainer 4th Gen trainer
Status	In Service In Production
First Flight	2002 2004
Introduction / In Service Since	2005 2014
Number Built	200+ 100+
Operators	South Korea, Philippines, Iraq, Thailand, Indonesia Italy, Israel, Poland, Singapore, Qatar, Greece

Dimensions & Structure

Length	13.14 m 11.49 m
Wingspan	9.45 m 9.72 m
Height	4.82 m 4.76 m
Wing Area	23.69 m² 23.5 m²
Empty Weight	6,454 kg 4,600 kg
Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW)	12,300 kg 9,500 kg
Internal Weapons Bay	None None
External Hardpoints	7 Up to 7

Performance

Maximum Speed	Mach 1.5 1,090 km/h
Range	1,851 km 1,980 km
Combat Radius	444 km Mission dependent
Service Ceiling	55,000 ft 45,000 ft
Rate of Climb	39,000 ft/min 22,000 ft/min
Thrust-to-Weight Ratio	0.96 Approx. 0.84
G Limits	+8 / -3 +8 / -3

Powerplant

Engine Type	GE F404 Turbofan Honeywell F124-GA-200 turbofan
No. of Engines	1 2
Thrust (each)	17,700 lbf 6,280 lbf
Thrust Vectoring	No No
Fuel Capacity	Approx. 2,690 kg Internal plus external tanks

Armament

Gun	20 mm cannon Optional gun pod
Missiles (Air-to-Air)	AIM-9 Short range missiles
Missiles (Air-to-Ground)	AGM-65 Guided munitions on FA variant
Bombs	Mk 82/83/84, JDAM General purpose / guided bombs
Hardpoints	7 Up to 7
Payload Capacity	3,700+ kg Approx. 3,000 kg

Avionics & Systems

Radar	APG-67 / EL/M-2032 / AESA options Optional Grifo radar (FA variant)
Radar Range	100+ km Mission dependent
Electronic Warfare (EW) System	Defensive suite available Defensive aids suite optional
Targeting System	Sniper pod compatible Optional pods
Helmet Display	Optional Yes
Navigation	INS/GPS INS/GPS
Autopilot / AI Assistance	Digital flight controls Digital flight controls
Communication	Secure datalink Secure military datalink capable

Stealth & Technology

Radar Cross Section (RCS)	Conventional Conventional
Stealth Features	Limited Limited
Infrared Signature Reduction	Standard measures Standard exhaust management
Sensor Fusion	Partial Training simulation based
Networking Capabilities	Yes Yes

Variants

Special Export Versions

T-50, TA-50, FA-50, FA-50 Block 20 M-346 AJT, M-346FA, T-346A

Operational History

Major Conflicts / Deployments	Border patrol, strike missions Primarily training roles
Notable Operators	South Korea, Philippines Italy, Israel, Poland
Combat Proven?	Yes Limited in armed variants
Mission Types	Training, CAS, Air Defense Training, aggressor, light strike

Cost & Program

Unit Cost	$25M to $35M+ $25M to $35M estimated
Development Cost	Multi-billion program Undisclosed
Program Name	T-50 Golden Eagle M-346 Master
Funding Countries	South Korea Italy, export customers

Additional Information

Upgrades Planned	AESA radar, BVR weapons Sensors, networking, FA growth
Future Replacement	Ongoing evolution None announced
Export Restrictions	U.S. component approvals may apply Case by case
Notable Achievements	First South Korean supersonic aircraft Global trainer export success
Competitors	M-346, L-15, Hawk AJT T-50, Hawk, Yak-130

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