During the Republic of Korea Air Force Black Eagles airshow held at Clark Airbase last March 4, I was impressed by how the T-50B performed. I even heard people in the crowd saying, “Sana may gano’n din ang Pilipinas,” without realizing that the Philippine Air Force actually has the fighter and attack version of the T-50, which is the FA-50. And the best part of it, the FA-50 somewhat resembles an F-16, or maybe a lighter and twin-seat version of it.
The iconic Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon, originally created and designed by General Dynamics, has carved its name in aviation history, renowned for its versatility, maneuverability, and combat prowess. Decades after its introduction, the influence of the F-16 is evident in the KAI FA-50 Fighting Eagle, a South Korean-developed light fighter. While they are distinct programs with their own development goals, the F-16 and FA-50 share a surprising number of similarities.
The F-16’s story began in the 1960s, with a focus on creating a lightweight, agile fighter for air-to-air combat. Its success led to numerous variants, including multirole capabilities, solidifying its position as a dominant force for decades. The FA-50, developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) together with Lockheed Martin, emerged in the late 1990s with a clear inspiration: the F-16. KAI leveraged its experience co-producing the F-16 for the South Korean Air Force and incorporated many of its successful elements into the FA-50 design. This resulted in a light fighter with capabilities that echo its predecessor, while also catering to modern battlefield requirements.
Aerodynamics and Performance
The physical similarities between the F-16 and the FA-50 are evident. Both aircraft share a single-engine, cropped delta-wing design, contributing to their agility and maneuverability. These design elements provide exceptional control during high-G maneuvers, a hallmark of the F-16 and a crucial trait adopted by the FA-50. Both also have wingtip hardpoints and similar-looking landing gears.
While both aircraft utilize single turbofan engines, their specific choices differ. The F-16 relies on the powerful Pratt & Whitney F100 engine series, offering impressive thrust-to-weight ratio and high performance. The FA-50, on the other hand, utilizes the General Electric F404 engine, a derivative of the F100. While offering slightly less power, the F404 provides sufficient thrust for the FA-50’s mission profile and boasts lower fuel consumption, a factor increasingly important in modern aviation.
Diverging Paths and Modernization
Despite their shared heritage, the F-16 and FA-50 have diverged in some key areas:
- Mission Focus: The F-16, initially designed for air-to-air combat, has evolved into a multirole fighter with exceptional ground attack capabilities. The FA-50, however, retains a stronger focus on light attack and close air support missions.
- Avionics and Technology: As technology has advanced, so too have the avionics suites of both aircraft. The F-16 has undergone numerous upgrades, incorporating advanced radar systems, weapon integration capabilities, and sophisticated digital cockpits. The FA-50, while featuring modern avionics, might not reach the same level of complexity as the latest F-16 variants.
- Cost and Acquisition: The F-16, due to its long production run and numerous variants, has a wider range of acquisition costs based on model and upgrades. The FA-50, being a newer aircraft with a smaller production run, tends to have a lower acquisition cost compared to the F-16, a factor attractive to cost-conscious air forces.
Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon | KAI FA-50 Fighting Eagle |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Single-engine multirole fighter | Single-engine light combat aircraft/light attack aircraft |
| Length | 49.4 ft (15.06 m) | 43.1 ft (14.36 m) |
| Wingspan | 32.9 ft (10.0 m) | 31.0 ft (9.45 m) |
| Height | 16.8 ft (5.12 m) | 16.5 ft (5.03 m) |
| Empty Weight | 18,900 lb (8,573 kg) | 12,345 lb (5,600 kg) |
| Maximum Takeoff Weight | 42,300 lb (19,187 kg) | 29,980 lb (13,600 kg) |
| Engine | Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-200 series turbofan | General Electric F404-GE-402 afterburning turbofan |
| Thrust | 29,000 lbf (129 kN) with afterburner | 17,000 lbf (75.6 kN) with afterburner |
| Maximum Speed | Mach 2.05 (1,250 mph, 2,010 km/h) | Mach 1.5 (913 mph, 1,469 km/h) |
| Combat Radius | 340 mi (550 km) – 680 mi (1,095 km) depending on variant and payload | 310 mi (500 km) |
| Ferry Range | 2,400 mi (3,860 km) with external fuel tanks | 1,860 mi (3,000 km) with external fuel tanks |
| Service Ceiling | 50,000 ft (15,240 m) | 48,000 ft (14,630 m) |
| G-limit | +9g / -3g | +8g / -3g |
| Internal Cannon | M61 Vulcan 20 mm rotary cannon | M61 Vulcan 20 mm rotary cannon |
| Hardpoints | 9 external hardpoints for various weapon configurations | 7 external hardpoints for various weapon configurations |
| Avionics | Varies depending on variant, can include advanced radar, targeting systems, and electronic warfare suite | Modern avionics suite including radar, fire control system, and mission computer |
It’s then somewhat safe to say that the F-16, a proven success story, provided the foundation for the FA-50’s development. The FA-50, in turn, offers a modern and potentially more cost-effective alternative for air forces seeking a light fighter with potent capabilities. Given the budget constraints at the time, the Philippine Air Force still found itself returning to the supersonic age with the FA-50PH, operating 12 of these light fighters.
Currently, the FA-50PH remains the main fighter aircraft of the Philippine Air Force, until such time that the country acquires a bigger and much more capable Multi-Role Fighter (MRF), with the Saab JAS39 Gripen and the Lockheed Martin F-16V Viper, trying to make their way into the PAF.
Both the F-16 and FA-50 continue to play significant roles in the air forces of numerous countries. The F-16, even after decades of service, is undergoing further upgrades and modernization programs, ensuring its continued relevance in the face of evolving threats. The FA-50, with its focus on affordability and modern avionics, is finding favor with air forces seeking a capable and cost-effective light fighter solution.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
