The KF-21 will be fitted with Martin-Baker Mk.18 Ejection Seats – the latest in Ejection Seat technology. Martin-Baker are proud to be suppliers on the KF-X program and to support the ROKAF and South Korea in this significant milestone for the country. The selection of the Mk18 seat continues a long history of partnership between Martin-Baker and Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI), that started with their KT-1, followed by the T/A-50 and is now is set to continue with the KF-X.
South Korean KF-21 with Martin-Baker Mk18 Seat unveilled at KAI Showcase. KAI unveiled South Korea’s first indigenous fighter jet prototype on 9th April 2021, 5 years after the start of the KF-X program, naming it the KF-21 Boramae during the announcement showcase. KAI aim to deliver 40 KF-21 aircraft to the Republic of Korea Air Force by 2028 with 80 more aircraft to follow by 2032. The KAI KF-X is South Korea’s second domestic fighter jet development program, following the FA-50.
Andrew Martin, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Business Development, said; “MB is honoured to have been competitively selected for this new aircraft. We have seen first hand the dedication and hard work that KAI and its team put into their successful KT-1 and T-50 aircrafts and we have no doubt that the KF-21 will follow the same path.”
Martin-Baker was an original pioneer of ejection seat development and manufactured ejection seats continuously since 1946. The Mk18 is Martin-Baker’s latest technology, this evolution builds on the legacy of 70 years of continuous design and development of aircrew life-saving ejector seats. The Mk18 includes a neck protection feature – an inflatable device on the headrest that is activated on ejection, helping to stabilise the head and prevent neck injuries.
