Kawasaki T-4

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
T-4
Kawasaki T-4 landing at Hamamatsu (2010)
Role Intermediate trainer aircraft
National origin Japan
Manufacturer Kawasaki
First flight 29 July 1985
Introduction 1988
Status Active
Primary user Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Produced 208+

The Kawasaki T-4 is a Japanese subsonic intermediate

aerobatic team as well as liaison duties with most fighter units.[1]
The first XT-4 prototype flew on 29 July 1985, while the first production aircraft was delivered during September 1988.

Development

Origins

During November 1981, Kawasaki was selected as the main contractor to design and manufacture a suitable trainer aircraft, which was initially designated as the KA-850, to meet the needs of Japan's MT-X program, having beaten out rival bids from

supersonic trainer and basis of the Mitsubishi F-1 fighter aircraft.[5] The initial program planned for a production run of 220 aircraft and an entry into service date of 1988.[6]

A T-4 at Gifu Air Field

Kawasaki's design team was headed by the aeronautics engineer Kohki Isozaki, as well as working in close conjunction with planners at the Japanese defense agency.[7] The design produced by Kawasaki had to satisfy aspects of the JASDF's training regime that was previously performed by multiple aircraft.[5] As such, the type had to demonstrate a range of transonic aerodynamic effects, as well as achieving a high level of manoeuvrability, a relatively-low operating cost, and high reliability levels. Easy handling was also required so that trainees could convert from the piston-engined Fuji T-3 after accumulating only 70 flying hours. Furthermore, the economics for operating the type was to be comparable to the leading international competitors at that time.[8]

The design had to incorporate other political desires as well; there was a great value placed upon powering the type with the first all-Japanese production turbofan engine, the Ishikawajima-Harima F3-IHI-30.[8] Reportedly, the selection of a twin-engine configuration for the trainer was one of the easiest decisions taken, being made not just for engine power but from a high priority being placed upon safety.[2] A robust, damage-tolerant and long-lived structure was also specified for the trainer; in order to achieve this, it was decided to make limited use of composite materials in the form of carbon fiber and kevlar in areas such as the radome and elements of the rear wing, tail unit, and undercarriage. Extensive use of computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) techniques was also applied.[8] These advances contributed to the design being certified for a total lifespan of 7,500 flight hours.[9]

Out of these efforts emerged the T-4, a clean-sheet indigenously-developed trainer aircraft. According to aerospace publication Flight International, it was considered plausible for the T-4 to have been a competitive product upon the global trainer aircraft market if it had been priced appropriately, but such export opportunities were denied by a long-standing Japanese policy that forbids any military export sales. As such, there was no realistic prospect of the type being sold to overseas customers and it was developed for the onset with the understanding that the T-4 would be used only by the JASDF.[7]

First flight

aerobatic
team in formation flight

On 29 July 1985, the

flight control system, were made.[2]

On 28 June 1988, the first production T-4 conducted its first flight; deliveries to the JASDF began in September of that year. It was observed by Kawasaki that the programme had not only been delivered as per schedule, but both the aircraft and its Ishikawajima-Harima F3-IHI-30 powerplant had attained their respective cost targets; Flight International contrasted the T-4 against the American Fairchild T-46, a cancelled jet trainer which had cost five times as much as Kawasaki's offering without reaching production.[5]

Manufacture of the T-4 was performed by a consortium consisting of Mitsubishi, Fuji, and Kawasaki, the latter providing leadership over the venture.[2] A final assembly line for the type was established at Kawasaki's plant in Gifu; this line was sized to produce a maximum of two and a half aircraft per month. Originally, an eight-year production run was planned for.[11]

Design

Head-on view of a T-4

The Kawasaki T-4 is a Japanese subsonic intermediate

hard points, enabling the installation of various air-to-air missiles, bombs, and a gun pod.[2]

The T-4 has a sturdy, damage-tolerant airframe that is largely composed of conventional

aerodynamic stalls. The use of LERX avoided any need for vortex generators.[5]

The avionics of the T-4 are

inertial guidance system, which uses Honeywell-built ring laser gyroscopes, while the air data computer uses Sperry-supplied transducers.[8] The majority of onboard systems are of a conventional nature; however, according to Flight International, the use of a licensed onboard oxygen generation system (OBOGS) is an unusual choice for a trainer aircraft and had required considerable effort to adapt it for use aboard the T-4. A British-sourced artificial feel system is also used by the type, the components for which being locally manufactured.[8]

Variants

Operators

T-4 at Chitose Air Base (2013)
T-4 of 304th Squadron at Tsuiki Air Field (2010)
T-4 of Central Air Command Support Squadron, at Iruma Air Base (2013)

Fighter units of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force are equipped with T-4s as trainer/liaison aircraft.

 Japan

Accidents

  • On 12 March 1991, aircraft 16-5654 was written off in an accident where it crashed into the sea during a return from a training flight.[14]
  • On 1 July 1991, aircraft 06-5653 crashed off the coast of Hokkaido, resulting in a single fatality.[15][16]
  • On 4 July 2000, two aircraft of the Blue Impulse display team (46-5727 and 46-5720)were both destroyed.[17][18][19] Three crew were killed. Aerobatic training was halted until March 2001 as a consequence of the accident.[20]
  • On 29 January 2014, aircraft 46-5731 and 46-5745 of the Blue Impulse team collided in mid-air during a training flight near Matsushima. Both aircraft were able to safely return to base.[21][22]

Specifications (T-4)

A T-4 of 301st Squadron at Hyakuri Air Base (2017)
T-4 of the 13th Flight Training Wing at Ashiya Air Base circa 2016

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988–89[23]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 13.00 m (42 ft 8 in)
  • Wingspan: 9.94 m (32 ft 7 in)
  • Height: 4.60 m (15 ft 1 in)
  • Wing area: 21.00 m2 (226.0 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 4.7:1
  • Empty weight: 3,700 kg (8,157 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 7,500 kg (16,535 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 2,241 L (493 imp gal; 592 US gal) internal fuel
  • Powerplant: 2 × Ishikawajima-Harima F3-IHI-30 turbofans, 16.32 kN (3,670 lbf) thrust each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 1,038 km/h (645 mph, 560 kn) at sea level
  • Stall speed: 167 km/h (104 mph, 90 kn)
  • Range: 1,668 km (1,036 mi, 901 nmi) with two 450 L (99 imp gal; 120 US gal)
  • Service ceiling: 15,240 m (50,000 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 51 m/s (10,000 ft/min)

Armament

  • Hardpoints: 5 (4 underwing and 1 under fuselage) for drop tanks, practice bombs and target towing equipment

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kawasaki T-4.

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

Citations

  1. ^ "Blue Impulse aerobatic team." aerobaticteams.net, Retrieved: 4 February 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d e Middleton and Lowe 1988, p. 20.
  3. ^ "T-4 Intermediate Trainer." Kawasaki Heavy industries, Retrieved: 4 February 2017.
  4. ^ "Kawasaki T-4 Basic and advanced trainer." Military-Today, Retrieved: 4 February 2017.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Middleton and Lowe 1988, p. 18.
  6. ^ "Actualités du monde aérospatial : Japon" [News of the world aerospace: Japan]. Le moniteur de l'aéronautique (in French). 49: 9. November 1981.
  7. ^ a b c Middleton and Lowe 1988, p. 17.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g Middleton and Lowe 1988, p. 19.
  9. ^ Middleton and Lowe 1988, pp. 19–20.
  10. ^ Middleton and Lowe 1988, pp. 18–19.
  11. ^ Middleton and Lowe 1988, p. 21.
  12. ^ Middleton and Lowe 1988, pp. 17–18.
  13. ^ "Kawasaki T-4 Subsonic Intermediate Jet Trainer." Military Factory, Retrieved: 8 February 2017.
  14. Aviation Safety Network
    , Retrieved: 5 February 2017.
  15. Aviation Safety Network
    Retrieved: 5 February 2017.
  16. ^ "Japan." Archived 2017-07-29 at the Wayback Machine Ejection History, Retrieved: 5 February 2017.
  17. Aviation Safety Network
    , Retrieved: 5 February 2017.
  18. Aviation Safety Network
    , Retrieved: 5 February 2017
  19. Japan Times
    , Retrieved: 5 February 2017.
  20. Japan Times
    , Retrieved: 5 February 2017.
  21. Aviation Safety Network
    , Retrieved: 5 February 2017.
  22. Aviation Safety Network
    , Retrieved: 5 February 2017.
  23. ^ Taylor 1988, pp. 167–168

Bibliography

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