Fuji T-7

T-7
	T-7s in flight
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.

Design and development

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

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

Operators

Japan

Japan Air Self-Defense Force
- Air Training Command:
  - 11th Flight Training Wing
    - 1st Flight Training Squadron
    - 2nd Flight Training Squadron
  - 12th Flight Training Wing (2005-)
    - 1st Flight Training Squadron (2005-)
    - 2nd Flight Training Squadron (2005-)
- Air Development and Test Command
  - Air Development and Test Wing

Specifications (T-7)

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

References

Mollet 1998, p.31.
Jeziorski 2000, p.20
Ripley 25–31 May 2004, p.57.
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

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.

External links

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[Mollet-1] Mollet 1998, p.31.

[Jeziorski-2] Jeziorski 2000, p.20

[Ripley_p57-3] Ripley 25–31 May 2004, p.57.

[JAWA2003-2004-4] 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.