By Edward James/Singapore

SINGAPORE (February 23, 2000) - Lockeed Martin and Korean Aerospace Industries have renamed the KTX-2 aircraft "the Golden Eagle," and hope the aircraft lands a contract with the USAF for pilot training.

The Golden Eagle is being built in two versions: the T-50, an advanced trainer, and the A-50 for fighter/light attack missions.

Six prototypes are being built, with the first flight slated for June 2002.

"Its now time for Lockheed Martin and KAI to concentrate our marketing on US and other countries' requirements for the aircraft" said Tuck McAtee, vice president North Asia for Lockheed.

McAtee claims that there is a market for up to 800 of the aircraft worldwide.

The secret to the aircraft potential is that it is more than just a trainer and has a role in the lead-in fighter training says McAtee.

And despite the USAF upgrading its T-38 trainers he still sees a need for the T-50.

The aircraft's advanced digital cockpit and avionics can be tailored to customers' requirements.

The first batch of 94 T/A-50s will be delivered to the South Korean Air Force from 2005.

Alex Jun senior manager of KAI says that the program is on track. "All milestones have been achieved and we are on track for full scale production" he said.