Lockheed and KAI offer the TF-50N to replace the US Navy’s T-45
The US Navy is seeking to acquire at least 145 advanced trainers starting in 2027.
Lockheed Martin and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) have advanced their bid to replace the aging T-45 Goshawk in the U.S. Navy by publicly unveiling details of the TF-50N, a navalized variant of the supersonic T-50 Golden Eagle trainer. The announcement was made through a video released by Lockheed Martin on social media, featuring test pilot and former naval aviator Tony “Brick” Wilson, who outlines the aircraft’s capabilities.
Specifically developed for the U.S. Navy’s Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) program, the TF-50N is pitched as a modern, efficient solution tailored to current pilot training needs—particularly in a context where carrier operations are no longer a mandatory requirement for the Navy’s next trainer aircraft.
“The TF-50N not only replicates the performance of a tactical fighter in the air,” says Wilson, “but it also incorporates advanced mission systems and integrated simulation, preparing naval aviators for the challenges of fifth- and sixth-generation combat platforms.”
A Golden Eagle evolution with F-16 DNA
Based on the original T-50 design, developed by KAI with technical support from Lockheed Martin, the TF-50N draws on more than two decades of production, operational experience, and exports. Its airframe, avionics, and flight control systems are heavily influenced by the F-16 Fighting Falcon, providing a familiar environment for pilots transitioning to platforms like the F/A-18E/F or F-35C.
In this navalized version, the TF-50N is expected to feature minor structural upgrades, a reinforced landing gear, and a naval-specific training configuration, though it does not require carrier-based operations. This doctrinal shift by the Navy—emphasizing land-based simulations and approaches—opens the door for lighter, more versatile, and lower-cost platforms to compete for the contract.
The road to replacing the T-45
Since mid-2023, the U.S. Navy has officially relaunched its search for a replacement for its carrier-based training jet under the UJTS program. The projected need stands at around 145 aircraft, with contract award expected in 2027.
Lockheed Martin and KAI are not the only contenders. Textron Aviation Defense and Leonardo have presented the M-346N, a naval variant of the M-346 Master advanced trainer, highlighting its integration into global training systems and its current role in F-35 pilot training in Europe.
Unlike the subsonic M-346, the TF-50N offers supersonic performance, a single-engine design with lower logistical demands, and the support of a global industrial base shared with the F-16, offering an already-established supply chain.
Global outlook and industrial strategy
The TF-50N is part of a broader strategic agreement between Lockheed Martin and KAI to co-develop, produce, and market upgraded versions of the FA-50/T-50. The goal is clear: not only to compete for the USAF and US Navy trainer programs, but also to strengthen their global position in the light fighter and trainer market, which could surpass 1,000 aircraft in potential demand across Asia, Europe, and Oceania.
If selected, the program would ensure two decades of sustained industrial activity and mutual benefits for both countries. For South Korea, it would further cement its role as a global leader in tactical trainer manufacturing.
With the carrier requirement lifted, the race to replace the T-45 is accelerating. And in this new landscape, the TF-50N emerges as a mature, proven, and strategically backed proposal, ready to train the next generation of U.S. Navy combat pilots.
AUTOR
Apasionado por la aviación, la historia, la política y la defensa. Editor-in-Chief en Aviacionline Defensa, combinando estos conocimiento para ofrecer un contenido valioso sobre temas estratégicos y de seguridad.
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