Beginning at the end of this year, the Air Force Academy plans to replace its present training jets with the AT-3, an advanced military jet trainer designed and developed by the ROC's Aero Industry Development Center.
Extensive flight testing has proven the AT-3's outstanding performance, maneuverability, maintainability, reliability and low operating costs.
The AT-3, equipped with twin TFE 731 turbofan engines, has a maximum level speed of 485 knots at sealevel and 0.85 Mach at 36,000 feet. Maximum internal fuel capacity is 2800 lbs., 1950 externally. With a total of seven weapon stations, it can carry a wide variety of armaments, up to 6000 lbs. in all, from AIM-9 missiles on the wingtips to 2000 lbs. of bombs on the fuselage.
Well suited for ground attack roles as well as for advanced fighter pilot training, the AT-3 will become an integral part of the ROC Air Force and may some day be sold overseas.
(Peter Eberly)
[Picture Explain)
The domestically designed and produced AT-3 soars majestically over the Chiayi-Tainan Plain.
An instructor's last-minute instructions to his students before takeoff. In the background is a squadron of T-34C trainers.
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