Hermes-sys
China flies DART-450-derived military basic trainer aircraft
Gareth Jennings, London - Jane's Defence Weekly
28 December 2018
China has flown a new military trainer aircraft derived from the
Diamond DART-450 single-engined turboprop, state media disclosed in late 2018.
The
flight of the tandem two-seat trainer developed by China Electronics Technology
Corporation (CETC) Wuhu Diamond Aircraft Manufacturing Company, was reported to
have taken place at the company's facility in Jiangsu Province on 6 November.
Designated
the TA-20, the new aircraft is a product of a joint venture (JV) between the
CETC and the Wuhu Municipal Government, which builds aircraft on licence from
Austria-based Diamond Aircraft Industries. Jane' s first reported in October 2017 that
the Diamond Aircraft Reconnaissance Trainer (DART)-450 was being lined up as a
possible candidate for development into a military basic trainer aircraft for
the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).
The DART-450 on which the TA-20 is based was developed rapidly by
Diamond, with first drawings to first flight taking just one year (the maiden
flight was recorded on 17 May 2016). The all-carbon fibre tandem two-seat
civilian and military trainer features a sidestick and pneumatic ejection
seats. The aircraft has a top-speed of 230 kt, a service ceiling of 23,000 ft
(7,010 m), and a maximum endurance of eight hours plus reserve.
The
cockpits of the TA-20 are equipped with the Smart-210 avionics system developed
indigenously by Chengdu Hermes Technology Company Limited . (Chengdu Hermes
Technology Company Limited)
While
the baseline DART-450 features Garmin G3000 avionics, the TA-20 has been
equipped with the Smart-210 system developed indigenously by Chengdu Hermes
Technology Company Limited. Imagery posted by the company shows both cockpits
to be fitted with a single large-area display touchscreen, suitable for
training pilots for fifth-generation platforms such as the J-20. The aircraft's
side-stick control column is also similar to that fitted to the J-20.
The
PLAAF is engaged in an extensive modernisation and recapitalisation programme
that is seeing new combat aircraft introduced in large numbers. Running
parallel to this expansion in combat capabilities is an expansion in trainer
capabilities, with the GAIC JL-9 Shanying and HAIG JL-10 advanced jet trainers
having been received by the PLAAF over recent years.
Source: www.janes.com
Source: @Rupprecht_A
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