Lockheed Martin, Korea Aerospace to Develop TF-50A, an Advanced Version of the FA-50 Fighter-Trainer

Lockheed Martin (LM) and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) are developing the TF-50, the most advanced version of the latter's FA-50 Light FIghter-Trainer aircraft.
Lockheed Martin recently submitted the TF-50A variant in response to the U.S. Air Force's February 2023 request for information for a two-seater aircraft to cover three near-term missions including tactical training, adversarial air support and to serve as a tactical fighter surrogate.
The TF-50A is configured as a light attack fighter/trainer with additional enhancements to include radar, electronic warfare system, tactical data link, and other capabilities to meet U.S. Air Combat Command requirements.
LM-KAI will initially add an augmented reality platform, the Airborne Tactical Augmented Reality System (ATARS) developed by U.S firm Red 6, into the TF-50 and variants. The system gives pilots and ground operators new capabilities to see and interact with synthetic threats in real-time, high-speed environments.
"LM-KAI aircraft are ideal platforms for our Augmented Reality system. Advanced aircraft, together with ATARS technology, will deliver a paradigm shift in the quality, quantity, and cost of training future pilots," said Daniel Robinson, Founder and CEO of Red 6.
While the ATARS system is initially targeted for the TF-50 and variants, it could eventually be applied to operational Lockheed Martin platforms such as the F-16, F-22 and F-35.