AIDC AT-3 Tz-Chiang

History of AIDC AT-3 Tz-Chiang

The AT-3 is a special class of aircraft specialized in advanced pilot training and light combat, including mounts such as the Czech Airlines L-39, the British BAe HAWK, and the Spanish CASA C-101. These types of aircraft are typically designed for low-cost, limited multi-role operations, delivering some offensive "strikes" with a high degree of agility. This allows the aircraft to be used for training roles, close support roles and light strike roles as needed.

The second product from the Aerospace Industry Development Corporation (AIDC), the AT-3 inherits the propeller-driven Chung Tsing which is nothing more than a locally produced version of the North American two-seat T-28 Trojan and represents state-of-the-art technology. Taiwanese native design at that time.

Design of the AT-3 began sometime in 1975, and its development was subsequently approved by the Taiwanese authorities in 1978, with a pair of prototypes (XAT-3) demonstrated. The first prototype flew for the first time on September 16, 1980, followed by trials at the Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF). The evaluation period proved successful and a procurement contract for 60 aircraft was signed. The first production-grade AT-3 flew on February 6, 1984.

Subsequent production aircraft were collectively known as the AT-3A "Tz-Chiang" (translated as "Self-Reliance"), with a total of 60 airframes delivered.

Externally, the AT-3 follows a traditional light aircraft design. The fuselage is the center of the design, with the straight low-wing monoplane mounted amidships. The engines were mounted in streamlined outboard nacelles on either side of the fuselage (rather than routed directly in the fuselage). The fuselage has a pointed cone with a radar system in front of the two-seat cockpit, and the tail is more conventional with a vertical tail and two appropriate horizontal planes.

The end result is a proactive and agile design that meets the requirements of RPCAF.

The AT-3 is equipped with tandem seats for its two-person crew, with each crew member sitting in a "zero-zero" ejection seat. The coach sits in the back seat and the students sit in the front. The fuselage is 12.9 meters long, with a wingspan of 10.46 meters and a height of 4.36 meters. The plane weighs 8,500 pounds empty and 17,505 pounds fully loaded.

The AT-3 is powered by two Garret (Honeywell) AiResearch TFE731-2 non-afterburner turbofan engines, each producing 3,500 pounds of thrust. This gives the installation a top speed of 562 mph, a range of 1,417 miles and a service ceiling of nearly 48,000 feet.

As an advanced trainer and combat capable fuselage, the AT-3 can be equipped with a variety of lightweight external mounts through its five (four under-wing, one under-fuselage centerline) attachment points. Basically, the aircraft is equipped with a pair of 12.7mm heavy machine guns in the belly weapon pack, although this can be supplemented by adding conventionally thrown bombs and air-to-surface unguided high-explosive rockets (in the rocket launcher pod). and Air-to-air missiles in the form of Sky Sword I or AIM-9P4 Sidewinder series short-range missiles (AAM can be mounted on square wingtips). For anti-ship roles, the AT-3 can carry the HF-2 Mk 2 series of anti-ship missiles.

The AT-3 can also use towed aerial targets for training. An internal bomb bay was also installed under the fuselage, but this was primarily reserved for internal fuel to increase combat range.

The AT-3 production spanned from 1984 to 1990, and was manufactured by Taiwan Aerospace Industries Development Corporation (AIDC) with assistance from U.S. defense contractor Northrop. In addition to its final AT-3A form, the AT-3B was added as an improved and modernized two-seat ground attack version that included a heads-up display (HUD), an APG-66T radar, and a semi-submerged ventral weapon Packages help extend the life of existing AT-3A models (often referred to as the MLU or "Mid-Life Upgrade" program). About 45 AT-3As are scheduled to be in new service upgrade form between 2001 and 2006.

Aside from these two different forms, the AT-3 is believed to be just the original two XAT-3 prototypes and a pair of XA-3 "Raymond" ground attack/navy attack prototypes.

The AT-3 is primarily known for being the mount of choice for the Taiwanese aerial acrobatics team, the Thunder Tigers.

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