| 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 |
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.
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.
The first production aircraft was handed over to the JASDF in September 2002. [3]
Japan Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2003-04 [4]
General characteristics
Performance
Avionics
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
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