Fuji T-7

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
Primary user Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Number built 49
Developed from Fuji T-3

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

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

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References
  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

Further reading
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