| AT-3 "Tzu Chung" | |
|---|---|
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| AT-3s of the Thunder Tigers Aerobatics Team | |
| Role | Trainer |
| National origin | Republic of China (Taiwan) |
| Manufacturer | Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation |
| First flight | September 1980 |
| Status | Active |
| Primary user | Republic of China Air Force |
| Produced | 1984-1990 |
The AIDC AT-3 "Tzu Chung" (Chinese for "self-improvement" and "to draw strength from one's self")[citation needed] is an advanced jet trainer operated by the Republic of China Air Force. Total of sixty-two of the aircraft were manufactured by Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation of the Republic of China (Taiwan), in collaboration with US aircraft manufacturer Northrop, between 1984 and 1990, and 2 A-3 single seat attack version were also built.
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Design 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 turbofans mounted in nacelles on either side of the fuselage. After the design was approved in 1978, two prototype were produced, and it made its maiden flight in 16 September 1980. Further evaluation resulted in a contract for 60 AT-3As for the ROCAF.
The AT-3 is a low-wing monoplane with a straight wing and a conventional slab tailplane. 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 tandem dual-control cockpit of production models. The rear seat (the Instructor position) is elevated 30 cm to allow better over-the-nose visibility. There's a rarely known small bomb bay feature in the aircraft, mostly holding a aux fuel tank now. AT-3 has 2 Honeywell/Garrett TFE731-2-2L non-afterburning turbofan engines, producing a total thrust of 3178 kg (31.1 kN; 7000 lb). Able to carry various size iron bombs, rocket pods, AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles and locally produced TC-1 IR AAM.
Operational history
The first AT-3A 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 Shooting Star trainers with AT-3s painted in SE Asia jungle colors. The AT-3s delivered to the 35th Combat Squadron were equipped with semi-recessed twin 12.7 mm machine guns in the bomb bay. 35th Squadron stood down in 1999, its aircraft absorbed into the Flight Training Command.
The aircraft is operated both as an advanced trainer and to undertake weapons training, and all AT-3 in service with ROCAF are now painted in the Thunder Tiger's Blue, White and Red colors.
The XA-3 Lui Meng single-seat attack version never progressed beyond the prototype stage with 2 aircraft, 901 and 902, but the armed two-seat AT-3B upgrade did enter service with the ROCAF. These 2 aircraft is now on loan to AIDC, plus the AT-3B 825.
Variants
- XAT-3 : The first two prototypes.
- AT-3A Tzu Chung : Single-seat advanced jet trainer, light attack aircraft for the ROCAF. 60 production aircraft were built.
- 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).
- XA-3 Lui Meng : Single-seat ground-attack aircraft. Two prototypes built.
Operators
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× Garrett Systems TFE731-2 turbofans, 15.6 kN (3,500 lbf) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 904 km/h (at 11,000m) (562 mph (at 36,090ft))
- Range: 2280 km (nm, 1417 mi)
- Service ceiling: 14,650 m (48,065 ft)
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
See also
Comparable aircraft
References
- ^ 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.
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