KAI MC-X Future Transport

EmoBirb said:
Doubtful that this will go anywhere, not in a world where the C-390 exists, an aircraft the ROKAF picked up themselves. Add to this regional C-2 flown by Japan, as well as the popular, more capable, albeit more expensive A400M and you end up with a weak case for an indigenous airlifter. Especially on the western oriented side of things the market is already served.
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I think it can carve out a niche market as an “East Asian KC-390” of sorts (considering Korean regions of influence), but otherwise, hard agree. It’s a pretty crowded market out there.
 
Especially in the 30t payload. Nothing new. Nothing that hasn't been done and redone.

Then double that to 60t with a 10hr flight endurance on internal tanks only*, keeping the cruise optimized wing... And you probably have something.

*you then trade range at Max payload for runway length or ideally tactical airlift
 
I think it's more plausible that Kai will sell the MC-X project or idea to Turkey or India than that South Korea will carry out the project.
 
Regardless of the future need for about 30 aircraft for the ROKAF alone (not to mention other operators), there is clearly a misunderstanding here of what the MC-X is actually supposed to be.
First, the missing domestically produced air component.
And second, a multifunctional platform for a wide range of uses with the potential for further development.
The C-390 is neither.
Presentation from 2024:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1815354387360854124
View: https://x.com/orko_8/status/1815354387360854124
 
EmoBirb said:
Doubtful that this will go anywhere, not in a world where the C-390 exists, an aircraft the ROKAF picked up themselves. Add to this regional C-2 flown by Japan, as well as the popular, more capable, albeit more expensive A400M and you end up with a weak case for an indigenous airlifter. Especially on the western oriented side of things the market is already served.
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same.. I would categorize the MCX along side the KF-21N and the stobar/catobar carrier proposals. Nice ideas but probably unlikely.
KAI, Hyundai, and the other Korean firms have a lot of ideas about potential projects and possible applications, like any other company.
But there's tough competition right now, and domestically, South Korea has other aircraft that can do the roles of maritime patrol, aerial refueling, light-mid weight transport, etc.

Its been brought up, whether the MCX can offer a Korean engine, for countries that want something less at risk of US influence over (the C-390 has more or less PW engines and other US systems in it).. that being said, transport aircraft aren't as affected by US politics the same way as combat aircraft.
 
Geo said:
And second, a multifunctional platform for a wide range of uses with the potential for further development.
The C-390 is neither.
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C-390 has air to air refuelling...

All of the other applications can be applied to any modern transport....

Look at the roll on roll off gunship kits, aerial fire fighting (aafs), A400M/C-130 launching UAV, C-130 recovering UAV, bolt on surveillance kits (Turgis et Gaillards for A400), US dropping ballistic missiles...proposed ELINT and MPA variants for A400M and C-130...including using roll on/roll off kits...

Nothing new here at all...
 
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Seems kinda odd that they're going for a plane with 50% greater capacity than a C130, while they're currently operating CN235s (6tonnes) and C130s (18tonnes).

I honestly think they'd be best served by a C17 class lifter.
 

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