Mitsubishi T-2

Supersonic jet trainer introduced in 1975

Overview

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Japan ICAO: T2 1971–1988 Active

The Mitsubishi T-2 was developed and produced by Mitsubishi as a supersonic jet trainer in Japan. It was mainly used by the Japan Air Self Defense Force and first flew in July 1971. It entered service in 1975 and was the first domestically-built aircraft in Japan to beak the sound barrier. It was produced from 1971 to 1988 and was retired in March 2006. A total of 90 T-2s were built.

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Specifications

Units
Engine
2 × Ishikawa-Harima TF40-801A
Engine type
Turbofan
Thrust
2 × 7,140 lbf · 32 kN
Avionics
Mitsubishi Electric J/AWG-11, French Thomson-CSF HUD, Lear-Siegler 501OBL AHRS
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
2
Crew
—
Cabin width
—
Cabin height
—
Cabin length
—
Exterior length
58 ft 7 in  ·  17.85 m
Tail height
14 ft 5 in  ·  4.39 m
Fuselage diameter
3 ft 7 in  ·  1.10 m
Wing span
25 ft 10 in  ·  7.88 m
Baggage volume
—
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
28,200 lb  ·  12,800 kg
Max landing weight
—
Max payload
5,950 lb  ·  2,700 kg
Fuel capacity
1,010 gal · 3,800 L · 3,100 kg (Jet A)
Max cruise speed
920 kt  ·  1,059 mph  ·  1,704 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
—
Range
1,550 nm  ·  1,780 mi  ·  2,870 km
Fuel burn
—
Ceiling
50,000 ft  ·  15,200 m
Rate of climb
35,000 ft/min  ·  178 m/s
Takeoff distance
—
Landing distance
—
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Mitsubishi T-2B of 8 Hikotai.

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Operational Context

In March 1969, the T-2 design was completed with the first prototype designation XT-2. On April 28, 1972, the prototype was rolled out, and almost three months later, on July 20, it took to the air for the first time. In 1975, the aircraft entered into service and was used by Japan Air Self Defense Force. It was produced from 1971 to 1988 with a total number of ninety aircraft built. In March 2006, the T-2 retired from service.

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The T-2K version is a two-seat armed weapons training aircraft with an external length of 17.85 meters, an external height of 2.8 meters, and a fuselage diameter of 1.1 meters. It has a tail height of4.39 meters and a wheelbase of 5.35 meters. The wingspan is 7.88 meters and the wing area is 21.8 square meters. It has an empty weight of 6,179 kg, a gross weight of 9,675 kg, a maximum takeoff weight of 12,800 kg, a maximum payload of 2,700 kg, and an internal fuel tank capacity of 1,010 US gal with provision for up to three 220 US gal drop tanks.

The aircraft is powered by two Ishikawa-Harima TF40-801 engines. It is a two-shaft low bypass turbofan engine with a two-stage LP five-stage HP compressor and single-stage LP single-stage HP turbine. It produces a maximum dry thrust of 4,705 lbf and an afterburning thrust of 7,140 lbf each. The T-2 has a maximum speed of 920 knots at 36,007 feet and a ferry range of 1,550 nautical miles with three drop tanks. It can fly up to 50,000 feet and can climb at a rate of 35,006.5 feet per minute. The required field length is 1,525 meters.

The T-2 could be armed with a single 20 mm JM61A1 cannon, one centerline and two underwing pylons hardpoints, and provision for two AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile on wingtip missile rails.