K100 Regional Turboprop
By August 2010 Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) was consiering entry into the regional turboprop segment as early as 2011 with the launch of a 90-seat aircraft. The company had rejected the idea of a regional jet due to the crowded market already existing with segment leaders Embraer and Bombardier being joined by new aircraft from Mitsubishi, Sukhoi and AVIC.
KAI would have the added advantage of being the first manufacturer in the 90-seat segment ahead of Bombardier and ATR. Both companies produce 70-seat turboprops and have been evaluating the 90-seat market for several years, but have yet to launch programs. ATR has reportedly been discussing with General Electric and Pratt & Whitney Canada a new engine for a large turboprop that could enter service in 2016. Korea Aerospace Industries currently builds military training aircraft and commercial aircraft components, and is looking to expand its civil aircraft to include complete aircraft. The company is promoting its four-seat KC-100 proof-of-concept aircraft, which is expected to make its first flight in 2011.
The aircraft, most likely to be powered by a new engine under development by Pratt & Whitney Canada, would be aimed at global markets, challenging the ATR-Bombardier regional turboprop duopoly. There are limited opportunities in the South Korean domestic market as a result of the launch of high-speed rail services. KAI could also have the advantage of being the first into the 90-seat market. ATR and Bombardier have been studying 90-seat turboprops but have yet to launch programs.
The turboprop would have a range of up to 1,000nm (1,850km), but the aim is for the aircraft to predominately be used on routes of 500nm or less. The 90-seat offering from South Korea was described as a strategic program by the South Korean Knowledge Economy Ministry, though it remains unclear whether Parliament will approve of such a program. The project apparently replaced the 60-seat regional jet Korea Aerospace was working on in 2008. There can be no doubt that these emerging programs are spurring on ATR and Bombardier to move ahead with their own programs to raise capacity to nearly 100 seats in next generation programs.
