AIDC AT-3

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AIDC AT-3
AIDC AT-3

The AT-3 is an advanced jet trainer operated by the Republic of China Air Force. Sixty of the aircraft were manufactured in collaboration with US aircraft manufacturer Northrop and the Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation of the Republic of China (Taiwan) between 1984 and 1990.

The aircraft is called "Tzu Chung", which when translated into English roughly means self reliance and self improvement.

Contents

[edit] History and Development

Design of the advanced jet trainer began in 1975 with a conventional low-wing configuration with a tricycle undercarriage, tandem seat cockpit, and twin turbojets mounted in nacelles on either side of the fuselage. After the design was approved in 1978, the first prototype was produced, and it made its maiden flight in September 1980. Further evaluation resulted in a contract for 60 AT-3As for the ROCAF.

[edit] Design characteristics

The AT-3 is an advanced jet trainer which follows a traditional low-wing configuration with a tricycle undercarriage, tandem seat cockpit, and twin turbojets mounted in nacelles on either side of the fuselage. The AT-3 has five weapon mounts (one centerline, two inboard underwing, two outboard underwing) and wingtip launch rails. There are two zero/zero Martin-Baker 10 ejection seats in the dual-control cockpit of production models. The rear seat (the Instructor position) is elevated 30 cm to allow better over-the-nose visibility.

[edit] Service History

The first AT-3 operator is the Flight Training Command in ROCAF Academy. In 1988 the Thunder Tiger demonstration team replaced its F-5E aircraft with AT-3s. In September 9, 1989 35th Combat Squadron replaced its T-33 trainer aircraft with AT-3s. The AT-3s delivered to the 35th Combat Squadron were equipped with semi-recessed twin 12.7 mm machine guns.

The aircraft is operated as an advanced trainer which has won praise for its maneuverability. It can also undertake weapons training with a wide variety of ordnance.

The AT-3A single-seat attack version never progressed beyond the prototype stage, however the armed two-seat AT-3B did enter service with the ROCAF.

[edit] Variants

  • XAT-3 : The first two prototypes.
  • AT-3 Tzu Chung : Single-seat advanced jet trainer, light attack aircraft for the ROCAF.
  • AT-3A : Single-seat ground-attack aircraft. Two prototypes built. Also known as the A-3 or AT-3A Lui Meng.
  • AT-3B' : Two-seat ground-attack aircraft for the ROCAF. 45 of the 60 aircraft have been upgraded to the AT-3B standard which includes radar and a Head-up display (HUD).

[edit] Operators

[edit] Specifications

Data from Attack and Interceptor Jets[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 12.9m (including probe) (42ft 4in (including probe))
  • Wingspan: 10.46m (34ft 3.75in)
  • Height: 4.36m (14ft 3.75in)
  • Wing area: 21.93m^2 (236.05ft^2)
  • Empty weight: 3855kg (8500 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 7940kg (17,505 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2× 1588 kg (3500lb) Garrett TFE731-2 turbofan jet engines, 15.6 kN (3,500 lbf) each

Performance

Armament Two wingtip pylons for Air-to-air missiles and 5 wing hardpoints with provision up to 2720kg (5998lb) of stores

  • Guns: 2x .50 cal machine guns in ventral pack, 20 mm gun pods
  • Bombs: Mk 82 500 lb bombs, Mk20 cluster bombs
  • Rockets: 5 in and 2.75 in rocket pods
  • Missiles: Sky Sword I and Sky Sword II air to air missiles

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Sharpe, Michael (1999). Attack and Interceptor Jets. New York City, NY: Friedman/Fairfax Publishers. ISBN 1-58663-301-5. 

Sharpe, Michael (1999). Attack and Interceptor Jets. New York City, NY: Friedman/Fairfax Publishers. ISBN 1-58663-301-5.