Aerial Combat Mastered

~Prepare for a long description~

Original Aircraft
First Forum Post
Second Forum Post
Teaser

The FK-28M is a Korean Air Superiority Fighter, developed with knowledge from the Sukhoi Su-27 and Mikoyan MiG-29

History

The origins of the FK-28 family come from the seizure or a Soviet MiG-29 in 1980. The Fulcrum's Pilot, Major Vitaly Belov, wanted to defect to a west-affiliated nation, using his aircraft, brand new at the time, as a guarantee to gain asylum far from the USSR. Flying low and fast to avoid radar detection, the pilot landed in a KPAF base, 12 miles from the border with China. Belov was soon detained and his aircraft captured by Korean aviation authorities, and later given to the Korean Aviation Institute (KAI).
After Maj.Belov was given asylum in Korean territory, KAI began reverse engineering the MiG-29 that had been captured, in a program called, in english, TURMOIL, with the intent of applying their newly gained knowledge in the construction of the KPAF's first domestically produced fighter to replace their aging fleet of F-4E Phantom IIs and F-8E Crusader IIs.
KAI's work originated the YFK-20, a direct copy to the Fulcrum, with minimal changes. However, unlike it's Soviet counterpart, the YFK-20 had major performance and reliability problems, with engines 10% less powerful and more thirsty for fuel, poorer construction and electronic systems prone to failure. With the failure of the YFK-20, the TURMOIL program was shelved and the fully rebuilt Fulcrum was sent back to the USSR. This meant that the KPAF's aging fleet of aircraft, had more time to serve.
With the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, many former Soviet owned pieces of military hardware started floating around in the international market, including new, Sukhoi Su-27 "Flanker" Fighters. The KPAF, in 1992, ordered two airframes for testing and studies, and in a very similar to TURMOIL from 12 years prior. With that, Project ICARUS began in late 1992, with the intent in understanding the construction of the Flanker, combining it with what was learned from the MiG-29, and possibly creating a proper domestic fighter jet.
In 1995, Project ICARUS originated the YFK-28, combing elements from both Soviet aircraft. In trials, the plane proved competitive to the Su-27 when flown against it, with the latter managing to match it on energy retention and radar effectiveness, and beating the YFK-28 in top speed and acceleration at speeds above Mach 1.2. Further testing proved the YFK-28's reliability and surprising fuel efficiency, it was also proven to be cheaper than other alternatives for military air superiority aircraft at the time, while also being domestically produced. In 1997, the YFK-28 was cleared for service and mass production, being designated the FK-28A "Icarus", named after the program that originated it.
Seeing service in the South Asia Conflict (1999-2000), a small scale, low intensity skirmish between Chinese and Korean forces over shipping lanes, the FK-28As of the KPAF scored 17 confirmed kills on Chinese fighters, including several J-11s and J-8s.
The current model of the Icarus is the FK-28M, a comprehensive update on the airframe, adding more efficient engines, compatibility with more weapons, a new 25mm autocannon with 500 rounds, a new radar based on the F-15's AN/APG-63, leading edge slats and a totally revamped cockpit.
Shown is the FK-28M from Captain Kim Ha'un, Callsign "Vixen", leader of Regal Squadron, 2nd Air Combat Wing, 3rd Tactical Fighter Squadron. She is the top scoring pilot in this aircraft, shooting down 6 enemy aircraft during the South Asia Conflict. After her service there, she moved from a FK-28A to the new FK-28M

Specifications

• General
  
  
  
  • Name: FK-28M "Icarus"
  
  
  • Manufacturer: KAI
  
  
  • Operators: Korean Peninsula Air Force
  
  
• Airframe
  
  
  
  • Engines: 2x KAI KTF-1001M Afterburning Turbofans, 53kN Thrust Dry/99kN With Afterburners
  
  
  • Max Speed With Weapons: Mach 1.25 at Sea Level/Mach 1.55 at 6000 Meters°
  
  
  • Max Speed Without Weapons: Mach 1.3 at Sea Level/Mach 1.64 at 6000 Meters°
  
  
  • Capable of reaching Mach 1.02 at 6000 Meters with lower fuel quantities and with no weapon loads without Afterburners
  
  
  • Fuel Load: 10703L
  
  
  • Empty Weight: 13000kg
  
  
  • Max Takeoff Weight: 19000kg
  
  
  • Max G Load: 15G in short bursts
  
  
• Weapon Systems
  
  
  
  • Gun: Samsung P-25SM 25mm Gatling Autocannon
  
  
  • Missiles:
    
    
    
    
    
    1. 2x M-115E "Conquest" Long Range Semi Active Radar Homing Air-to-Air Missiles
    
    
    
    2. 6x M-38C "Starfire" Medium Range Active Radar Guided Air-to-Air Missiles
    
    
    
    3. 4x M-210F "Tempest" Dogfight Infrared Guided Air-to-Air Missiles
    
    
    
  
  
  • Radar: Samsung RA-63K Pulse-Doppler Multimode X-Band Radar Set, based of the Raytheon AN/APG-63
  
  
  • Countermeasures: 2x Flare Dispensers, 2x Chaff Dispensers, 60x uses each
  
  

°Max Speed tests done with as close to a full tank of fuel as possible, speeds will increase with lower fuel loads

Gallery

Controls

• Basic Flight Controls:
  
  
  
  • Pitch=Flight Stick
  
  
  • Roll=Flight Stick
  
  
  • Yaw=Flight Stick
  
  
  • Throttle=Either Fighter Throttle
  
  
  • Flaps (VTOL Down)=White Custom Lever
  
  
  • Trim=Green Custom Lever, TR Button for Trim Reset
  
  
  • Brakes=Red Custom Lever
  
  
  • Gun, Missiles and Countermeasures on Flight Stick
  
  
• Activation Groups
  
  
  
  • AG1=Lights
  
  
  • AG2=Arm Autocannon
  
  
  • AG3=Arm Missiles
  
  
  • AG4=Drogue Chute
  
  
  • AG5=Open Canopy
  
  
  • AG6=Jettison Weapons
  
  
  • AG7=Ejection
  
  
  • AG8=Master Switch
  
  
  • All AG controls on labelled Switches and Buttons, or in the central Console. Ejection is in the Custom Pull-Lever between the pilot's legs, the "!!!" Button or "7" in the Console
  
  

All controls listed here are on the Tooltips and Instructions

Tips

• When taking off, put the flaps all the way out. Wait until you're at 300km/h and pitch up calmly. When past 600km/h, raise the flaps and fly however you want.
• Controls are twitchy below 700km/h, so be careful with maneuvers at those speeds

Credits

• HUD: PlanariaLab's 1PartHUD

• Radar Scope: Striderxxl's HUD Collection and Radar

Thanks to @ZikkuHai for the help with the LERX and help with the ideas and concepts!
Thanks to @Thelegitpilot13 for the nozzle's code!
Thanks to @FanDosRussos for the help with the rear landing gear doors!
Thanks to @AkhosErebus and @KenzarAircraft for feedback on the design and performance!
Thanks for the FT people at SPBC for help with the codes for the Slats and Flaps!

I hope you like this plane!