Kawasaki T-4
| T-4 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| T-4 in MCAS Iwakuni on Friendship Day | |
| Role | Intermediate trainer aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Kawasaki |
| First flight | July 29, 1985 |
| Introduction | 1988 |
| Produced | +208 |
The Kawasaki T-4 is a subsonic intermediate jet trainer aircraft used by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. In addition to training duties it is used by the JASDF's Blue Impulse aerobatic team.[1] The first XT-4 prototype flew on July 29, 1985. The first production aircraft was delivered in 1988.
History
In November 1981, Kawasaki was selected as main contractor to design and produce an aircraft relating to the MT-X program. This program was launched to replace the Lockheed T-33[2] and Fuji T-1 jet trainer aircraft in service in the Japan Air Self Defense Force.[3] The initial program planned a run of 220 aircraft and entry into service in 1988.[4]
In January 2016 the JASDF used three T-4s to collect radioactive material after North Korean's fourth nuclear test, which North Korea claimed was a hydrogen bomb test.[5]
Variants
- XT-4: Prototype. 4 built.
- T-4: Two-seat intermediate jet trainer aircraft. 208 built.[6]
Operators
Accidents
- Aircraft 16-5654 was written off on March 12, 1991.[7]
- Aircraft 06-5653 crashed off Hokkaido on July 1, 1991 with one fatality.[8][9]
- Blue Impulse aircraft 46-5727 and 46-5720 were both destroyed on July 4, 2000.[10][11][12] Three crew were killed.[13]
- Blue Impulse aircraft 46-5731 and 46-5745 collided during a training flight near Matsushima. Both aircraft safely returned to base.[14][15]
Specifications (T-4)
Data from Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide
General characteristics
- Crew: two pilots in tandem
- Length: 13.0 m (42 ft 8 in)
- Wingspan: 9.94 m (32 ft 7 in)
- Height: 4.6 m (15 ft 1 in)
- Empty weight: 3,790 kg (8,360 lb)
- Max. takeoff weight: 7,500 kg (16,530 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Ishikawajima-Harima F3-IHI-30 turbofans, 16 kN (3,520 lb) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 1,038 km/h (645 mph)
- Range: 1,670 km (900 nm)
Armament
Two hardpoints for external fuel tanks
See also
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kawasaki T-4. |
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
- Dassault Breguet Dornier Alpha Jet
- BAE Hawk
- Aero L-59
- Aermacchi MB-339
- PZL I-22 Iryda
- Soko G-4 Super Galeb
- CASA C-101
- IA-63 Pampa
- Related lists
References
- ↑ Blue Impulse aerobatic team aerobaticteams.net Retrieved February 4, 2017
- ↑ T-4 Intermediate Trainer Kawasaki Heavy industries Retrieved February 4, 2017
- ↑ Kawasaki T-4 Basic and advanced trainer Military-Today Retrieved February 4, 2017
- ↑ "Actualités du monde aérospatial : Japon" [News of the world aerospace: Japan]. Le moniteur de l'aéronautique (in French). 49: 9. November 1981.
- ↑ Japan deploys planes to collect radioactive material after North Korean nuclear test January 6, 2016 Japan Times Retrieved February 4, 2017
- ↑ Kawasaki T-4 Subsonic Intermediate Jet Trainer Military Factory Retrieved February 8, 2017
- ↑ Aircraft accident 12-Mar-1991 T-4 06-5653 Aviation Safety Network Retrieved February 5, 2017
- ↑ Aircraft accident 01-Jul-1991 T-4 06-5653 Aviation Safety Network Retrieved February 5, 2017
- ↑ Japan Ejection History Retrieved February 5, 2017
- ↑ Aircraft accident 04-Jul-2000 T-4 46-5727 Aviation Safety Network Retrieved February 5, 2017
- ↑ Aircraft accident 04-Jul-2000 T-4 46-5720 Aviation Safety Network Retrieved February 5, 2017
- ↑ Blue Impulse planes missing July 5, 2000 Japan Times Retrieved February 5, 2017
- ↑ ASDF base resumes aerobatics training after crash-prompted hiatus March 13, 2001 Japan Times Retrieved February 5, 2017
- ↑ Aircraft accident 29-Jan-2014 T-4 46-5731 Aviation Safety Network Retrieved February 5, 2017
- ↑ Aircraft accident 29-Jan-2014 T-4 46-5745 Aviation Safety Network Retrieved February 5, 2017