The Fuji T-5 or KM-2Kai is a Japanese turboprop-driven primary

trainer aircraft A trainer is a class of aircraft designed specifically to facilitate flight training of pilots and aircrews. The use of a dedicated trainer aircraft with additional safety features—such as tandem flight controls, forgiving flight characteristic ...

, which is a development of the earlier Fuji KM-2. The student and the instructor sit side-by-side.

Design and development

The Fuji T-5 was developed by

Fuji Heavy Industries , formerly , is a Japanese multinational corporation and conglomerate primarily involved in both terrestrial and aerospace transportation manufacturing. It is best known for its line of Subaru automobiles. Founded in 1953, the company was named ...

as a replacement for the piston-engined Fuji KM-2 (itself a development of the Beechcraft T-34 Mentor) as a primary trainer for the

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force The , abbreviated , also simply known as the Japanese Navy, is the maritime warfare branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, tasked with the naval defense of Japan. The JMSDF was formed following the dissolution of the Imperial Japanese Navy ( ...

. Fuji refitted a KM-2 with an Allison Model 250

turboprop A turboprop is a Gas turbine, gas turbine engine that drives an aircraft Propeller (aeronautics), propeller. A turboprop consists of an intake, reduction drive, reduction gearbox, gas compressor, compressor, combustor, turbine, and a propellin ...

engine in place of the original Lycoming

piston engine A reciprocating engine, more often known as a piston engine, is a heat engine that uses one or more Reciprocating motion, reciprocating pistons to convert high temperature and high pressure into a Circular motion, rotating motion. This article ...

, the resulting KM-2D first flying on 28 June 1984 and being

certified Certification is part of testing, inspection and certification and the provision by an independent body of written assurance (a certificate) that the product, service or system in question meets specific requirements. It is the formal attestatio ...

on 14 February 1985. The KM-2Kai is a further development of the KM-2D, with a modernised cockpit with side-by-side seating and a sliding

canopy Canopy may refer to: Plants * Canopy (biology), aboveground portion of plant community or crop (including forests) * Canopy (grape), aboveground portion of grapes Religion and ceremonies * Baldachin or canopy of state, typically placed over an a ...

replacing the original KM-2's car type side doors (which were retained by the KM-2D). The T-5 is an all-metal low-wing cantilever monoplane powered by an Allison 250-B17D turboprop with a three-bladed constant speed propeller. It has a retractable tricycle landing gear with the main gear retracting inwards and nose gear rearwards. The T-5 has an enclosed cabin with a sliding canopy and two side-by-side seats, and dual controls, in the aerobatic version and four seats in pairs in the utility version.

Operational history

The KM-2Kai was ordered by the JMSDF as the T-5 in March

1987 Events January * January 1 – Bolivia reintroduces the Boliviano currency. * January 2 – Chadian–Libyan conflict – Battle of Fada: The Military of Chad, Chadian army destroys a Libyan armoured brigade. * January 3 – Afghan leader ...

, with deliveries of the KM2-Kai to the Japanese Self Defence Forces beginning in 1988, with a total of 40 being built. The T-5 serves with the 201 Air Training Squadron at Ozuki Air Field. The original KM-2 is no longer in service.

Operators

; *

Specifications (T-5)

References

{{JSDF aircraft designations 1980s Japanese military trainer aircraft Low-wing aircraft Single-engined tractor aircraft T-5 Single-engined turboprop aircraft Aircraft first flown in 1984 Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear

Design and development

Operational history

Operators

Specifications (T-5)

See also

References