The Korean Air Force has its eye on purchasing F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, reports The Korea Herald, which notes that Seoul won’t complete purchase of 40 new F-15Ks until 2008. Because the JSF won’t start being deployed until after 2010 reportedly makes it a nice fit with South Korea’s planned “second phase” acquisition of next-generation fighters.
The Air Force has embraced new technical approaches like open mission systems and rapid software updates for cutting-edge aircraft like the B-21 and Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Increasingly, though, the service is also working to apply these to its older, “legacy” aircraft, officials said this week.