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.

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

Operators

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)

Fuji T-7

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