Korean Air enhances A-10 Thunderbolt for US Air Force

Korean Air has entered into a US$16 million (15 billion KRW) agreement with the US Air Force to conduct a Service Life Extension Program on the force’s A-10 Thunderbolt aircraft.

Korean Air has started the Service Life Extension Program on A-10 Thunderbolt aircraft as part of the US Air Force’s military plane conversion program. The A-10 Thunderbolt program will last for two years until 2009. Korean Air will apply its state-of-the-art technology to improving the fuselage and wing parts of the aircraft, as well as enhancing the Structural Modification on Armament System. The program will be carried out at Korean Air’s Gimhae Aerospace Base. It will take four months on average to complete the enhancement work on one plane, owing to the high level of technology used and the service standard required.

“We are honoured that our outstanding maintenance technology is recognized by the world’s best developed and most advanced air force. Building on our considerable expertise in the field, we will gradually expand our military plane conversion business in terms of scale and customer base,” said Mr. Hang-jin Cho, Executive Vice President of Aerospace Business Division of Korean Air.

The A-10 Thunderbolt is the first US Air Force aircraft specially designed for close air support of ground forces. The first flight of the A-10 was in May 1972, and a total of 400 aircraft are currently in operation. The A-10 Thunderbolt is a type of simple, effective and survivable twin-engine jet aircraft that can be used against all ground targets, including tanks and other armored vehicles.

Korean Air provided aircraft enhancement services to the US Air Force between 1985 and 1993 for the first time and won a second contract between 2001 and 2007. It has completed maintenance and conversion work for a total of 180 A-10 aircraft.

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