AIDC AT-3
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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 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.
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[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 were produced and made its maiden flight in September 1980. Further evaluation resulted in a contract for 60 AT-3A Tzu Chung 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 crew of two sit in tandem. The rear seat elevated 30 cm.
[edit] Service History
The first AT-3 operator is the Flight Training Command in ROCAF Academy. In 1988 the Thunder Tiger demonstration team used AT-3 instead of F-5E. In September 9, 1989 35th Combat Squadron traded their T-33 with AT-3. 35th Combat Squadron AT-3 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 ordinance.
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.
The Thunder Tiger Aerobatic Team switch from the F-5E to the AT-3.
[edit] Variants
45 of the 60 aircraft have been upgraded to the AT-3B standard which includes a RADAR and a HUD.
[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 (8500lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 7940kg (17,505lb)
- Powerplant: 2× 1588 kg (3500lb) Garrett TFE731-2 turbofan jet engines, 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: 2 .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
Sharpe, Michael (1999). Attack and Interceptor Jets. New York City, NY: Friedman/Fairfax Publishers. ISBN 1-58663-301-5.
