High Gallery
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U. S.
Military Aircraft T-46A EAGLET Photo by Coil B Thouanel |
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Needing a new generation trainer to replace the Cessna T-37, the US Air Force organized a design competition. In July 1982 they selected the T-46 as the winner after witnessing flight trials by the company funded demonstrator, (a 62 per cent scale version of the planned trainer). Powered by a brace of reliable and fuel economical turbofans, the T-46A feathered side by side seating, tricycle land gear, and a tail plane wit vertical surface. The T-46 finally flew in the late summer of 1985 some six months later than the scheduled because of delayed deliveries from the sub contractors. There were various problems with the type, but these were on these were on their way to solution when the complete program was canceled early in 1986 by a budget cutting US Congress. At this time first 10 production Eaglets were almost complete. |
TECHNICAL DATA
| Description | Specifications |
| Manufacturer: Fairchild | Length: 29 ft. 6 in. |
| First Flight: Late summer of 1985 | Height: 9 ft. 11.75 in. |
| Model: A | Wing Span: 38 ft. 7.75 in. |
| Crew: Two | Wing Area: 160.0 sq. ft. |
| Nickname: Eaglet | Empty Weight: 5,184 lb. |
| Basic Role: Basic trainer. | Max. Weight: 6,817 lb. |
| Other
Versions: T-46A Eaglet production model.
AT-46A Eaglet planned weapon trainer and light attack variant able to lift 1,320 lb of weapons on four under wing hard points. |
Armament: None |
| Principal User: U.S.A. |
Propulsion |
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Performance |
Power Plant: Garrett F109-GA-100 turbofans. |
| Range: 1,370 miles. | Horsepower: 1,330-lb thrust. |
| Max. Speed: 460 mph. | No. Of Engines: Two |
| Ceiling: 46,500 ft. | |
| Climb Rate: 4,470 ft. per minute |