Fuji T-7
| T-7 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| A T-7 on display at Hamamatsu AB, Japan | |
| Role | Primary/Basic Trainer |
| National origin | Japan |
| Manufacturer | Fuji Heavy Industries |
| Introduction | 2002 |
| Primary user | Japan Air Self-Defense Force |
| Number built | 49 |
| Developed from | Fuji T-3 |
The Fuji T-7 (previously T-3 Kai) is a Japanese primary trainer aircraft built by Fuji Heavy Industries for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. A development of Fuji's earlier T-3 trainer, it is a single-engined monoplane powered by a turboprop engine.
Development and design
The Fuji T-7 was developed to meet a requirement of Japan's Air Self Defence Force for a primary or basic trainer to replace the Fuji T-3. The resultant aircraft was a modified version of the T-3, (itself descended via the Fuji KM-2 from the Beech T-34) and shared the single-engined low-winged monoplane layout of the T-3, but replaced the Lycoming piston engine with an Allison 250 turboprop engine.
The T-7 was selected in preference to the Pilatus PC-7 in 1998,[1] but this decision was cancelled and the competition restarted after a corruption scandal arose, with several managers from Fuji being arrested for bribing an official in Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party.[2]
Operational history
Fuji re-entered the T-7 (then known as the T-3 Kai) and again won the restarted competition in September 2000, the first production aircraft being handed over in September 2002.[3]
Operators
- Japan Air Self-Defense Force
- Air Training Command: 11th Flying Training Wing (1st and 2nd Squadron), 12th Flying Training Wing
- Air Development and Test Command: Air Development and Test Wing
Specifications (T-7)
Data from "Military Aircraft Directory", Flight International[3]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 8.59 m (28 ft 2 in)
- Wingspan: 10.04 m (32 ft 11 in)
- Height: 2.96 m (9 ft 9 in)
- Wing area: 16.50 m² (177.60 ft²)
- Max. takeoff weight: 1,585 kg (3,487 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce (Allison) 250-B17F turboprop, 336 kW (450 shp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 376 km/h (203 knots, 234 mph)
- Cruise speed: 296 km/h (160 knots, 184 mph)
- Stall speed: 103 km/h (56 knots, 64 mph)
- Service ceiling: 7,620 m (25,000 ft)
See also
- Related development
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
References
Notes
Bibliography
- Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0-7106-2537-5.
- Jeziorski, Andrzej. "T-3 replacement battle re-opens". Flight International, 28 March – 3 April 2000, p. 20.
- Mollet, Andrew. "Japan's T-7 decision saves Fuji's day". Flight International, 9–15 September 1998, p. 31.
- Ripley, Tim. "Military Aircraft Directory". Flight International, 25–31 May 2004, p. 38–73.
- Sobie, Brendan. "Japan's pilots to start T-7 training early next year". Flight International, 12 August 2003.
External links
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