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.

T-7
T-7s in flight
Role Primary/Basic Trainer
National origin Japan
Manufacturer Fuji Heavy Industries
Introduction 2002
Status Active
Primary user Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Produced 2002-present
Number built 49
Developed from Fuji T-3

Design and development

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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] Fuji re-entered the T-7 (then known as the T-3 Kai) and again won the restarted competition in September 2000.

Operational history

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The first production aircraft was handed over to the JASDF in September 2002.[3]

Operators

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  Japan

Specifications (T-7)

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Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2003-04[4]

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: 16.5 m2 (178 sq ft)
  • Airfoil: root: NACA 23016.5; tip: NACA 23012
  • Max takeoff weight: 1,585 kg (3,494 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce 250-B17F turboprop engine, 336 kW (451 hp)
  • Propellers: 3-bladed constant-speed propeller, 2.12 m (6 ft 11 in) diameter

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 298 km/h (185 mph, 161 kn) at 915 m (3,002 ft)
  • Stall speed: 104 km/h (65 mph, 56 kn) flaps and gear down
  • Wing loading: 96.1 kg/m2 (19.7 lb/sq ft)
  • Power/mass: 0.2114 kW/kg (0.1286 hp/lb)
  • Take-off distance to 15 m (49 ft): 608 m (1,995 ft)
  • Landing distance from 15 m (49 ft): 566 m (1,857 ft)

Avionics

  • VHF radio
  • UHF radio
  • Transponder
  • ICS
  • TacAN

See also

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Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

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  1. ^ Mollet 1998, p.31.
  2. ^ Jeziorski 2000, p.20
  3. ^ Ripley 25–31 May 2004, p.57.
  4. ^ Jackson, Paul, ed. (2003). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2003-04 (94th ed.). Coulsdon, Surrey, United Kingdom: Jane's Information Group. p. 306. ISBN 0-7106-2537-5.

Bibliography

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Further reading

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