The head of the Ministry of National Defense Mariusz Błaszczak said that “the tests of the FA-50 combat aircraft have been successfully completed”. He added that this is the last step before handing over new aircraft to the Polish Armed Forces.
Information about the tests was provided by the head of the Ministry of National Defense on Twitter. “The FA-50 tests have been successfully completed,” he wrote Mariusz Blaszczak. “Flights in Polish airspace were performed by Polish and Korean pilots” – he added. “This is the last step before handing over the new FA-50 combat aircraft to the Polish Armed Forces” – he informed.
“The first examples of combat aircraft ordered in 2022, equipped with advanced imaging and control systems, as well as modern avionics and fire control radar, were delivered to Poland in July” – reminded the minister. “We are consistently strengthening the capabilities of the Polish Army by using solutions offered by Polish and foreign defense companies” – he noted.
FA-50 combat aircraft
The FA-50 Fighting Eagle is a South Korean light two-seater combat aircraft. According to the Armament Agency, its basic armament is a 20 mm cannon and a wide range of airborne armament, including AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface missiles, as well as several types of various types of air bombs.
It is powered by a 17,700 lb (79 kN) turbofan engine with afterburner. The maximum speed is Mach 1.5 (1837.5 km/h). The operational range of the aircraft is 1,800 km, and its maximum ceiling is 14.6 km. The curb weight of the aircraft is 6.47 t, with a maximum take-off weight of 12.3 t, which allows it to carry armament weighing up to 4.5 t
Main photo source: Twitter/@mblaszczak