South Korean agency KAI unveiled a refined roadmap for the event of the MC-X multirole tactical transport plane.

Final week noticed Seoul’s biennial airshow, ADEX 2023, occur on the largest scale so far. Whereas many South Korean indigenous platforms such because the KF-21 and LAH took the highlight, a small prototype went largely unnoticed by most people. Through the occasion that came about from Oct. 17 to Oct 22, 2023, Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) unveiled its new growth roadmap for its future multirole transport, the MC-X. With this, the efforts for the non-public agency’s dedication to the challenge grew to become strong.

The MC-X is a twin engine, tactical airlift platform presently within the early design phases.

KAI has began inner growth of the MC-X in 2021 in anticipation of changing the Republic Of Korean Airforce’s (ROKAF) CN-235 and C-130H fleet. At present the ROKAF operates a complete of 4 C-130J-30, 12 C-130H (of which 4 are C-130H-30), and 18 CN-235 as their airlift power. It’s presently anticipated that the C-130H fleet will retire in 2035 and the CN-235 to comply with shortly in 2040. As of now there are not any official plans set by the Ministry of Nationwide Defence to discover a alternative. Nonetheless, KAI appears to be eyeing on the ageing fleet and hopes that its indigenous answer can be a extra engaging reply than buying a overseas platform.

Whereas the primary scale mannequin of the MC-X design was unveiled on the DX Korea 2022 exhibition, a number of design modifications have been made to the plane since.

At present, the plane is deliberate as a twin jet engine tactical airlift platform with a most take-off weight (MTOW) of 103 tons (22,7000 lbs). most payload capability of 30 tons (66,140 lbs). The cargo bay dimensions are 3.5m large, 3.4m excessive, and 17m lengthy. This may accommodate a complete of 9 463L Grasp Pallets.

When it comes to plane measurement, the airframe is predicted to be in between the Embraer C-390 and Kawasaki C-2. The MC-X is ready to have a variety of over 7,000km, making it the longest reaching plane in its class. The plane is predicted to utilise a powerplant roughly equating to the Common Electrical CF6. When it comes to cargo, the plane has a capability of 92 fight troops or 72 paratroopers. Whereas the utmost payload weight prohibits the platform to hold the K9 howitzer, the cargo maintain can home the smaller M109 primarily based K55A1. Alternatively, the cargo maintain has sufficient capability for the transport of both a single AH-64 or UH-60 helicopter with its rotor blades eliminated.

Deliberate variants embrace a Distant Drone Provider, Air Launched Ballistic Missile service, and maritime patrol variant.

It’s apparent that the market that MC-X is aiming to interrupt via is already saturated with rivals. The worldwide market is essentially dominated by the Lockheed C-130J, and an more and more rising portion is being taken by the Embraer C-390. Even Japan’s Kawasaki C-1 and C-2 by no means made any gross sales exterior the JASDF, settling at a meagre 31 and 22 airframes respectively. Thus, KAI has been taking a look at different makes use of for its MC-X, in hopes of accelerating gross sales figures.

Recommended variants of the MC-X launched this airshow embrace an air tanker, maritime patrol, an AWACS, digital warfare platform, aerial water bomber, distant drone service, and most ambitiously an Air Launched Ballistic Missile (ALBM) service. Very similar to the C-130 launched Gremlin drones, KAI appears to be aiming for the MC-X to behave as an aerial mothership for a smaller sized drone. Talked about of their presentation, there are plans for deploying as much as 19 150kg-class drones from the MC-X’s cargo bay.

Of all of the variants, the ALBM service appears to be probably the most bold of tasks.

Very similar to the earlier USAF efforts of an air launched Minuteman missile, the plan is to make use of the platform as an answer for a rocket launcher. Whereas the payload may develop into both a satellite tv for pc carrying rocket or a ballistic missile, the benefits of having an air launched rocket exists for each instances. For satellites, there are a lot of current check instances such because the Northrop Grumman Stargazer, Virgin Orbit, and Virgin Galactic.

By reaching a better launch altitude, the heaviest Stage 1 of a launch car might be neglecting, permitting for a less expensive launch. Moreover, in comparison with floor launches, the geographic location of the launch website doesn’t restrict the orbit of a satellite tv for pc because the launch car can transfer to accommodate for the meant orbit. On high of those advantages, an ALBM platform give the missile added vary for a fraction of the price. Nonetheless, the added technical complexities to such a platform, mixed with the survivability of a transport plane on the battlefield raises the query of whether or not such a distinct segment variant is absolutely wanted.

Once more, one other new strike missile for the South Korea?
I posted in regards to the Air-launched ballistic missile(ALBM) or Strong propellant rocket launch system from MCX cargo aircraft. and now, within the ‘ADEX 2023’, the KAI confirmed varied varieties of MCX varieties. these have been, Satellite tv for pc launch… pic.twitter.com/aiD9XFELWT

— ハク Mason (@mason_8718) October 21, 2023

The newly introduced roadmap for the MC-X means that after the baseline platform is developed inside 12 years of signing of an preliminary contract. With the ROKAF C-130H fleet anticipated to retire in 2035, a future transport plane acquisition program is predicted to be launched shortly from the South Korean authorities. In line with KAI’s growth plans, the preliminary Block 1 MC-X can be developed purely for troop and cargo transport. The Block 2 is ready to introduce multirole functionality to the platform. This consists of MEDEVAC pods, probe-and-drogue sort aerial refuelling pods, an aerial firefighting equipment, airborne UAV launcher, and air launched microsatellites. From the Block 2, completely different variants are deliberate equivalent to a devoted flying growth sort air tanker, a UAV service and restoration plane, and fight search and rescue (CSAR).

Moreover, concerns for modifying the fuselage have already been made. Very similar to the Hercules -30 variants, a stretched cargo model with prolonged wings are deliberate for a Mid Life Improve additional down the road. Modifications to take away the rear cargo door in change for a Low Drag Empennage exists to permit variants for different utility variants. These embrace a maritime patrol plane, airborne early warning and management (AEW&C), airborne communications relay, indicators intelligence, and a stand-off digital jammer plane.

KAI signed an MoU with the UAE for co-development of the MC-X

KAI has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the UAE authorities to co-develop the MC-X again in January 2023. With the UAE defence and safety acquisition authority Tawazun council onboard the challenge, efforts to develop the MC-X has develop into extra strong. Very similar to the KF-X deal between South Korea and Indonesia, it seems that the South Korean agency can be in control of the event of the plane and the UAE funding a portion of the challenge in return for know-how change and some airframes.

With the ROKAF having a comparatively small fleet of cargo plane in comparison with the remainder of its power, it seems that KAI is securing overseas gross sales to interrupt even its growth prices. Having watched intently the event of the neighbouring JASDF and their C-1, C-2 program, South Korea appears to have recognised the cruel actuality of the worldwide cargo plane market and its decrease demand. Extra just lately, the Korean authorities has been reaching out to Saudi Arabia for land-based weapons gross sales.

With relations with center japanese clients drastically bettering within the final decade, it seems the Korean authorities has moved exterior of southeast Asia in appears to be like of a greater associate for its aerospace division as nicely. Briefly, the worldwide medium sized airlift market is quickly to count on yet one more competitor within the coming decade. Nonetheless, how a lot traction the non-public agency’s challenge will achieve inside the Korean authorities is but to stay in query.

Wonwoo is a pupil journalist and contributor to The Aviationist primarily based in London, United Kingdom. At present learning MEng in Aeronautical Engineering with a eager curiosity in OSINT, aircraft recognizing and plane design. He’s a former Sergeant of the Republic of Korea Military, having served as an artillery Fireplace Course Centre Automobile Radio Operator.