JASDF T-2 (TACTICAL FIGHTER TRAINING GROUP)

The Mitsubishi T-2 was a Japanese training and training aircraft from the Cold War period. The first prototypes of the machine were created in 1971, and serial production lasted until 1988, ending with the production of about 90 examples of this aircraft. The drive was provided by two turbofan engines Ishikawajima-Harima TF40-801A . The plane could reach a maximum speed of 1700 km / h. In the T-2 (K) version, the machine was armed with a 20mm JM61A1 cannon. Mitsubishi T-2 was commissioned by the Japanese Air Force to replace Fuji T-1 machines as part of the TX program. The new machine was to prepare Japanese pilots for flights on F-104 and F-4 Phantom airplanes. The Japanese Air Force considered licensing SEPECAT Jaguar aircraft under the TX program, but eventually abandoned the idea. Two versions of the aircraft were produced during serial production. The first is the basic version marked as T-2 (Z), which was used for advanced training. The second version was the T-2 (K), which was a training and combat version - it had a more extensive avionics and permanent on-board armament. Mitsubishi T-2 planes were used exclusively by the Japanese Self-Defense Forces. All of them were withdrawn from the line by 2006.