Fuji T-5

The Fuji T-5 or KM-2Kai is a Japanese turboprop-driven primary trainer aircraft, which is a development of the earlier Fuji KM-2. The student and the instructor sit side-by-side.

== Design and development == The Fuji T-5 was developed by Fuji Heavy Industries as a replacement for the piston-engined Fuji KM-2 (itself a development of the Beechcraft T-34 Mentor) as a primary trainer for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. Fuji refitted a KM-2 with an Allison Model 250 turboprop engine in place of the original Lycoming piston engine, the resulting KM-2D first flying on 28 June 1984 and being certified on 14 February 1985. The KM-2Kai is a further development of the KM-2D, with a modernised cockpit with side-by-side seating and a sliding canopy replacing the original KM-2's car type side doors (which were retained by the KM-2D). The T-5 is an all-metal low-wing cantilever monoplane powered by an Allison 250-B17D turboprop with a three-bladed constant speed propeller. It has a retractable tricycle landing gear with the main gear retracting inwards and nose gear rearwards. The T-5 has an enclosed cabin with a sliding canopy and two side-by-side seats, and dual controls, in the aerobatic version and four seats in pairs in the utility version.

== Operational history == The KM-2Kai was ordered by the JMSDF as the T-5 in March 1987, with deliveries of the KM2-Kai to the Japanese Self Defence Forces beginning in 1988, with a total of 40 being built. The T-5 serves with the 201 Air Training Squadron at Ozuki Air Field. The original KM-2 is no longer in service.

== Operators == Japan Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force

== Specifications (T-5) == Data from Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide General characteristics Crew: 2 Length: 8.4 m (27 ft 7 in) Wingspan: 10 m (32 ft 10 in) Height: 2.9 m (9 ft 6 in) Wing area: 16.5 m2 (178 sq ft) Airfoil: root: NACA 23016.5; tip: NACA 23012 Empty weight: 1,082 kg (2,385 lb) Max takeoff weight: 1,805 kg (3,979 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Allison Model 250-B17D turboprop, 261 kW (350 hp) Propellers: 3-bladed constant-speed propeller Performance

Maximum speed: 357 km/h (222 mph, 193 kn) at 2,440 m (8,005 ft) Cruise speed: 287 km/h (178 mph, 155 kn) Stall speed: 104 km/h (65 mph, 56 kn) Never exceed speed: 413 km/h (257 mph, 223 kn) Range: 945 km (587 mi, 510 nmi) Service ceiling: 7,620 m (25,000 ft) Rate of climb: 8.6 m/s (1,690 ft/min)

See also

Related development

Beech T-34 Fuji KM-2 Fuji T-3 Fuji T-7

References