AIDC F-CK Indigenous Defence Fighter
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The AIDC F-CK Indigenous Defence Fighter (also known as Ching-kuo 經國, after late ROC President Chiang Ching-kuo), is a military aircraft produced by the Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation based in Taichung for the Republic of China Air Force in 1994 along the same general lines as the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Its cost is believed to be US$24 million per plane.
Characteristics
- Type:
- Single seat fighter
- Two seat fighter
- Role: Interceptor/ground attack
- Size
- Wingspan: 9.46 m (31 ft 0 in)
- Length: 14.21 m (46 ft 7 in)
- Height: 4.42 m (14 ft 6 in)
- Wing area: 260 ft² (24.2 m²)
- Weight
- Empty: 14,300 lb (6,500 kg)
- Maximum: 27,000 lb (12,250 kg)
- Maximum Speed: Mach 1.8
- Ceiling: 55,000 ft (16,800 m)
- Range: 600 n mi (1100 km) (combat patrol)
- Powerplant: 2× TFE1042-70 at 27 kN (military), 9,500 lbf (42 kN) (afterburner)
- Thrust/weight ratio: 1.01 N/kg (?) combat loading
- Armament:
- Sky Sword I x 2
- Sky Sword II x 2
- M61A1 20 mm cannon
- Radar
- Type: GD-53 X-band pulse doppler
- Effective scanning range: 39 km (look down), 57 km (look up)
- In service date: 1994
History
AIDC began the IDF devlopment project in 1982 following the ROCAF's failure to purchase the F-16 from the United States as a result of PRC diplomatic pressure. The project was divided into four sections in 1983:
- Ying-yang (鷹揚): Development of the airframe. Cooperation with General Dynamics.
- Yun-han (雲漢): Development of the aircraft powerplant and propulsion. Cooperation with Hughes Aircraft.
- Tien-lei (天雷): Development of the avionics system. Cooperation with Westinghouse Corporation.
- Tien-jian (天劍): Development of air-to-air missiles. AIDC in-house project.
The IDF was designed with the J-8 in mind as a possible foe, and was intended to have performance on par with the F-16 and Mirage-2000. The greatest difficulties were encountered between 1986 and 1989 by the propulsion group in attempting to develop or acquire advanced jet engines suitable for a fighter aircraft. There is also speculation that the use of weaker engines was due to political rather then technical reasons. Regardless of the reason, the final version of the F-CK was relatively underpowered, despite its light weight.
The first successful test flight was made in 1989, and the first successful firing of the Tien-Jian II (Sky Sword II) air to air missile in 1992. The ROCAF established its first F-CK squadron the following year.
The ROCAF's initial order of 250 aircraft was cut to 130 in 1991 following jet fighter deals with the U.S. and France. The last IDF rolled off the production lines in 1999.
External links & references
Global Security article on F-CK IDF (http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/taiwan/idf.htm)
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