Team Red Owl – you may not have heard of them before, however, they have slowly been working away on a simulation of the Korean Airspace Industries FA-50 Golden Eagle multi-role fighter for DCS World with a large release of new images coming out in the last few weeks. Let’s have a look at the developer, their work so far, and the FA-50 itself.

Future third party developer?

Team Red Owl appears to be in a similar place to Deka Ironwork Simulations just a few years ago with some simulation experience and a long term goal of becoming a DCS World third party developer. Just a few years ago it was Deka Ironwork Simulations that started showing off their work on the DCS: JF-17 and they were met with a mix of excitement and trepidation as they slowly showed more work on their China Assets Pack, J-11 and JF-17 modules. The FA-50 is perhaps in a similar place now.

Their recently released screenshots show off the work they have done on the FA-50 with exterior textures and modeling in place.

One update even shows off graphics for the avionics which they have now made their profile image. Perhaps this is an attempt at clearly messaging that they are serious about developing the FA-50 for DCS World. Their statements also help prove that point.

An exchange on Facebook between a couple of posters with questions on if this is a mod for DCS or intended to be a full module. That came back with the following message:

Yes, our main goal is 3rd party dev.

Team Red Owls Simulations

Of course, goals are one thing and the ability to execute on them is another and remains to be seen. Still, the developers here appear to be more active and have shown off plenty of screenshots of their FA-50 model in DCS World so I’m cautiously excited for them and for future potential module releases from them. Have a look at some of their screenshots.

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Check out these images and more on their Team Red Owl Facebook page and give them a follow if you want to see what they are up to.

What is the FA-50?

Getting into DCS World, as with any simulation product, is a bit of an experience in terms of learning about new aircraft. While there are legendary types that nearly everyone has heard of, there are other aircraft that are more obscure and so it is this later category that the FA-50 fits into – although perhaps not deservedly so.

The FA-50 is a supersonic advanced jet trainer developed jointly by Korean Airspace Industries and Lockheed Martin. There is plenty of F-16 DNA in this aircraft as the designers previously worked on the locally produced KF-16 and Lockheed Martin was involved with much of the project as well.

With a GE F404 engine, and a long list of weapons including a three barrel 20mm cannon derived from the M61 Vulcan, JDAM, AIM-120, Hydra rockets, and more all available on the FA-50, it is perhaps a close analog to the JF-17 recently added into DCS World – but one with even more western influence.

The FA-50 is in active use with the Republic of Korea Air Force and with the Philippine Air Force and other advanced trainer units are flown by Indonesia, Iraq, and Thailand.