The Fuji T-7 was developed to meet a requirement of Japan's Air Self Defence Force for a primary or basic trainer to replace the Fuji T-3. The resultant aircraft was a modified version of the T-3, (itself descended via the Fuji KM-2 from the Beech T-34) and shared the single-engined low-winged monoplane layout of the T-3, but replaced the Lycoming piston engine with an Allison 250turboprop engine.
The T-7 was selected in preference to the Pilatus PC-7 in 1998,[1] but this decision was cancelled and the competition restarted after a corruption scandal arose, with several managers from Fuji being arrested for bribing an official in Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party.[2] Fuji re-entered the T-7 (then known as the T-3 Kai) and again won the restarted competition in September 2000.
Operational history
The first production aircraft was handed over to the JASDF in September 2002.[3]
^Jackson, Paul, ed. (2003). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2003-04 (94th ed.). Coulsdon, Surrey, United Kingdom: Jane's Information Group. p. 306. ISBN0-7106-2537-5.