In regards to the Golden Eagle, what primarily limits its potential market is not it’s capability/cost but rather the heavy American influence and input into the design which would draw in numerous political implications into purchasing it.
Now here are some factors for the Golden Eagle and costs versus an old used F-16.
-The structure and airframe of the F-16 is not the best in the world, one can simply read what Arthur has to say about it 😉
-Most air forces that use it are either 1) have used it heavily and needs major rehauls (i.e Belgium, etc).. or 2) is the “top” fighter of the air force and are likely not willing to do with out
-The Golden Eagle, when purchased is a NEW airframe
-A single F404 engine will obviously consume less fuel than a single F110, as evident by the Gripen’s low operating costs which Golden Dragon has kindly posted up. not to mention that a single engine generally uses less fuel than two engines (ala F-5E and Ching Kuo)
-most of the Golden Eagle’s parts are off the shelf and STILL in production! thus cost-saving in the effect that the components already used are proven.. and also the fact that it’s still in production, unlike many parts for the F-5
-The A-50 and F-50, which the former exists and is flying and the latter will be due soon, are intended to use AMRAAM..
now.. for everyone else not willing to deal with the US influence of the project, there’s the FC-1 🙂 , which Golden Dragon or Crobato would be better off explaining.
Also, according to Flug-Revue and ACIG sources, A-50 will be about 22 million.. slightly less than the cheapest (and earliest) block F-16 sold.
some pics from afbase.
A-50
F-50 model
Sign In
