Fuji T-7

T-7
A T-7 on display at Hamamatu 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, 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.

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.

Operators

Japan

• 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

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

• T-34 Mentor
• Fuji KM-2
• Fuji T-3
• Fuji T-5

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• Aérospatiale/Socata TB-30 Epsilon
• FAdeA IA 73
• Socata TB-31 Omega
• Pilatus PC-7
• Pilatus PC-9
• T-6 Texan II
• KAI KT-1
• PZL-130 Orlik
• Embraer EMB 312 Tucano
• T-34 Mentor
• T-35 Pillán
• Utva Lasta

References

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

• Globalsecurity.com
• Photo